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Fishing has improved now that weather conditions have stabilized. In fact, the panfish bite is especially strong, making this a great time to introduce a child to fishing. This weekend, June 9-11, is Take a Kid Fishing Weekend when Minnesota residents age 16 or older can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing. Learn more at Take a Kid Fishing Weekend.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2017/2018 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass and lake trout, May 13; muskie, June 3. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR's Fish Minnesota web page.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye are still foraging near the shorelines in roughly 12 feet of water, especially at the edges of the emerging weeds. For the most action, hit Sand, Jackfish, Black and Cranberry bays on the west end of the lake. For those heading east through Brule Narrows, some of the hot spots include Kempton Channel and the channels from Kettle Falls to Rabbit Island. Either jig with a minnow, or slowly troll a spinner rig and minnow. Smallmouth bass are in the same general areas as the walleye, but responding better to a lure near the surface. Rainy River walleye are also hanging in roughly 12 feet of water near the weedy edges. Anglers having the most success are using emerald shiner minnows on a spinner rig. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Kabetogama
Last weekend, the fish started biting in earnest, and fishing was spectacular. Water temperatures had risen to over 60 degrees due to warm, sunny days. Many walleye were found in less than 15 feet of water, having followed the baitfish into the shallows. Leeches were starting to turn more fish. The windblown bays and shorelines were giving up good numbers of fish, and the funnel areas where the baitfish were being blown into were on fire. Anglers were encouraged to start using jigs tipped with a leech, or a slip bobber rig if conditions were right. Anglers also reported a few fish coming from Tom Cod last weekend. Other productive areas included the Ash River entrance and areas with current near Kettle Falls. Low light hours were best, especially right at sunrise and the last golden hour before sunset. Sauger seemed to be most prevalent, but walleye numbers were heating up. Smallmouth bass and northern pike were easy to catch when casting the shorelines -- just about everything was working. Quite a few northern pike measuring in the high 30s were reported, along with a few northerns measuring 40-plus inches. Walleye anglers were often surprised to find a northern at the end of the line. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com
Duluth - Lake Superior/Area Waters
The bite is heating up with the warmer temperatures, and the fishing forecast looks even better. There have been a lot of boats on Lake Superior, with anglers having success when trolling depths of 30-100 feet. Ideal water temperatures are the mid-40s. Stick baits continue to be best tactic with scatters, jointed, and plain baits in bright colors or natural mimic shiner colors working well. Nice numbers of coho salmon and lake trout are being reported, along with some king salmon and brown trout. The St. Louis River bite has been giving up lots of nice walleye downstream, near and into Lake Superior. Anglers having the most success are trolling shallow-running crankbaits at 2- to 2.2-mph. Northern pike and crappies seem to be up in numbers, with aggressive jigging triggering reaction bites. A simple jig and plastic continues to be best at the drop-off transitions. Stream fishing has been decent for brook trout and brown trout. And last, fishing on the inland lakes has been spectacular. In general: find vegetation and you’ll find fish. Anglers reporting the most numbers are using a 1/16-ounce jig with a soft plastic. Sunfish are beginning to school in the shallows. Walleye have made their way back to the mid-lake humps and other areas with structure. Muskie anglers had mixed results during last weekend’s muskie opener. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
More stable weather patterns have led to an increase in fishing action. Crappies and bluegills continue to be caught at the above water vegetation in 1-4 foot depths. Anglers having the most success are using a slip float with a small split shot and jig or plain hook tipped with a crappie minnow or panfish leech. Panfish are typically schooled up heavily in these areas so don’t stick around if you’re not getting a bite. The walleye are schooling now that temperatures have turned hot. Walleye anglers are taking the most fish on simple 1/16- to ¼-ounce jigs tipped with a shiner worked at the cabbage beds in 6-14 feet of water. With the increase in bug hatches, live bait rigs with crawlers and leeches are working as well. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers report an incredible week of walleye fishing on Lake of the Woods with nice numbers of walleye and sauger being taken. The best approach has been a gold or glow jig with a frozen shiner or leech worked in depths of 18-30 feet of water. Pulling hammered gold or silver spinners has also been effective. The reefs and mud are holding the majority of the fish, with quite a few jumbo perch and northern pike mixed in with the walleye and sauger. Walleye are also active in the Rainy River, especially during morning hours. Smallmouth bass anglers are having a blast at the feeder streams, rock piles and bridges. For the most action, use a shallow-diving crankbait, jig tipped with a plastic, or small spinner. Up at the Northwest Angle, water temperatures have reached 67-degrees, and are steadily rising. Anglers are taking fish at a variety near the island throughout the day, with fish coming from the shallow rocks out as deep as 26 feet. Limits have been taken on spinnerbaits, daredevils, jigs and spinners. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bemidji
Water temperatures have warmed into the mid- to upper 60s, and the walleye bite is excellent. Jigs tipped with minnows are working well, especially in depths of 10-14 feet along the shoreline breaks and weedlines. During low light periods and on days when the wind is pounding the shoreline, don't be afraid to pitch jigs much shallower. Bass fishing is also excellent, with fish found shallow early and late in the day, and off the deep weed edges during the rest of the day. Jigs and plastics are best for the deeper fish. Northern pike continue to hit just about anything you put in front of them at the weed edges. The sunfish and bluegills are active up in the shallows. A small jig tipped with waxworms under a small float is working well. Crappies are hanging around the cabbage weeds in 8-10 feet of water, with jigs and minnows turning fish. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
Walker - Leech Lake
Leech Lake continues to give up lots of fish, with a variety of presentations working well. Most fish seems to be transitioning from a spring to early summer pattern. The windy shorelines in Portage and Sucker bays are producing lots of fish, but the ratio of walleye to northern pike is starting to favor the pike. For the most action, use a jig and minnow. Some of the main lake rock reefs are starting to heat up, especially when it’s windy -- try a lindy rig with a leech or crawler, or a jig and shiner, especially at Big Rock Reef and The Annex. In calmer conditions, head to the deeper rock reefs. If you don’t find the fish on top of these reefs, check the edges in 20-25 feet of water. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com
Park Rapids
Fishing has heated up nicely in Park Rapids area lakes. The crappies and bluegills are still on their spawning beds in the shallows, aggressively hitting small minnows and wax worms under a bobber. Active northern pike can be found in the weeds in 5-10 foot depths. The best approach is to troll shallow-running crankbaits such as husky jerks or old-fashion daredevil spoons. The walleye are into an early summer pattern. Anglers having the most success are fishing the deep weedlines using a jig tipped with a rainbow chub or small sucker minnow, or a lindy rig and medium-sized leech. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Detroit Lakes
The walleye bite has slowed a bit due to recent hot temperatures, abundant sunshine, and the subsequent mayfly hatch. The hatch should end shortly, which will help anglers having to compete with Mother Nature. Walleye have transitioned from the flats to the edges and nearby humps in depths of 13-22 feet. Rigs with leeches or crawlers are the best bet. Crappies have moved to the 10-15 foot weed edges where they are responding to jigs tipped with bait and plastics. Northern pike are extremely active, hitting larger minnows or artificial baits at the outside edges of the weeds. Sunfish are active in the weeds. For the most action, use pieces of crawler, small leeches, or plastics on jigs or jig/hooks under bobbers. Bass action remains best in the shallows, with fish relating to shade and cover. Anglers fishing from docks are catching largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass have moved off the shallow sand flats to the rocks with drops to deeper water. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Sauk Centre Area Lakes
Walleye anglers are taking lots of nice fish from Big Sauk Lake. The best approach has been a spot tail shiner and spinner worked in depths of 12-21 feet at the structure. On Osakis, walleye can be found from Linwood to 4 Mile. Anglers having the most success are using shiners and leeches in 16 feet of water. Some nice-sized crappies are being pulled from the Battle Point area. 855-444-SAUK; www.visitsaukcentre.com
Willmar Area Lakes
Anglers continue to catch lots of sunfish and largemouth bass in the shallows. The crappies and northern pike are active in the weedlines now that the water has warmed to roughly 66-degrees on most area lakes. Walleye seem to be most active in lakes in the southern half of the county. Big Kandiyohi Lake remains the most popular for walleye, followed closely by Elizabeth and Wagonga lakes. Panfish have active on most area lakes. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
White Bear Area Lakes
The fishing on White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes is fantastic with a variety of fish being taken. Bass anglers report lots of action in the shallows around the docks and lily pads. The best presentation is a soft plastic or finesse bait. Northern pike are being pulled from depths of 8-12 feet above the weeds by anglers using spinners, crankbaits, and hard-bodied baits. Walleye are being taken on flathead minnows and leeches worked in the deep holes at night on White Bear Lake. The bluegill are just starting to spawn in the shallows, and panfish are very active throughout White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. In addition to great fishing options, there are a large variety of concerts and celebrations all summer in White Bear Lake! 651/653-5122; www.explorewhitebear.org
Southern Minnesota
Winona - Mississippi River/Lake Pepin
Late last week, the water level had receded on the Mississippi River and anglers were able to fish the river once again. Walleye action was reported to be good, and lots of crappies were coming from the snags. Anglers trolling Lake Winona were also having success with the walleye. They were also taking a few crappies and perch. Bass action was expected to heat up very soon. 507-452-0735; www.visitwinona.com
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Tuesday, June 6, conditions on area streams and rivers were clear with a normal water flow. There were reports of Light Hendrickson's, March Browns, and crane flies. Excellent conditions and bug hatches for fishing! Pick up trout stream maps at the National Trout Center in Preston, or print your own Southern Minnesota trout maps. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Ortonville - Big Stone Lake
On Big Stone Lake, anglers have turned their attention to the hot panfish action, with reports of many bluegills, crappies, perch and largemouth bass throughout the lake. The shoreline south of the islands towards Big Stone City is giving up aggressive crappies weighing up to a pound. Minnows, pieces of crawler, and small leeches are working well. Walleye anglers have been frustrated with the clear waters. The best catches have been during evening hours at the rock piles. Anglers having the most success are pitching jigs or casting crankbaits over the emerging weed beds. The walleye average 16-to 17-inches, with some measure just over 20-inches. The key is to fish the shallows during low light conditions. The bite should only improve following the stretch of 90-degree temperatures which will warm the water quickly. 800-568-5722; www.bigstonelake.com
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
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