Seth Fieder, winner of the 2016 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Tournament on Lake Mille Lacs; photo courtesy of B.A.S.S.
Anglers are thrilled with the recent announcement that Bassmaster has named Lake Mille Lacs the top bass fishing lake in the country for quantity and quality of bass! Numerous bass fishing tournaments are scheduled for August and September on Lake Mille Lacs, including the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship. Check out the fast bass action this lake has to offer!
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 anglers are starting to graph a lot of fish in roughly 25 feet of water near the submerged structure on Rainy Lake, but getting the fish to bite has been tough. Anglers have had more success fishing for walleye in 6-15 feet of water near the island shorelines. Smallmouth bass continue to hit at the weedy areas of the bays along the south shore of Rainy Lake. For walleye, leeches and worms have been best. Bass are responding well to shallow-diving lures. On the Rainy River, walleye are being taken both above and below the dam, with a 30-inch walleye recently pulled from the area near Ranier Rapids. The sturgeon tag season has started on the river and anglers are doing their best to catch one of these giant fish! 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Kabetogama
The walleye bite remained strong on Lake Kabetogama last weekend despite the first significant mayfly hatch. The surface of the water broke frequently by fish feeding on mayflies, but walleye were still caught along the deep weedlines, and on the reef edges in depths of 26-32 feet. Walleye were starting to move to mid-lake areas. Leeches were by far the bait of choice, with crawlers also starting to work well on a 2-3 foot snell with a plain hook. Anglers casting for smallmouth bass and northern pike along the deep weedlines and in the deeper weed growth were taking some accidental walleye. Finding fish wasn’t a problem, but locating actively feeding schools of fish was somewhat difficult. Areas around Harris, Sugarbush and on to the east gave up nice numbers of fish. Large northern pike and smallmouth bass, as well as many smaller pike were taken by anglers casting the deeper weeds and rock points. Once water temperatures warm further, the pike will relocate to cooler, deeper waters. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com
Duluth - Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
The dog days of summer have arrived so timing is key for anglers. Early morning and late evening hours are best times to target fish. These are also the cooler times of the day, with less boat traffic on the water. Live bait always has a place in the boat, but fishing with soft plastics and crank baits becomes more suited for mid-summer outings. Lake Superior has had a good bite. Anglers are having success further up the North Shore around Two Harbors. Coho salmon and lake trout are being taken by anglers getting their baits down at least 40-feet. Snap weights and lead core have been productive tactics. The South Shore bite has heated up nicely for walleye, with quality fish taken near shore in 10-30 feet of water. The St. Louis River has been productive as well. Anglers report multi-species days when jigging soft plastics near shore. Some of these cooperative fish include walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, catfish and crappies. Trolling is also producing fish. While the recent rains have caused the water to turn murky in the lower sections of the river, loud, obnoxious lures are getting their attention. Stream fishing for trout is working for some anglers using small hardware like spinner baits. Inland fishing has been good. Because of boat traffic, it is important to get out early in the morning or later in the evenings. Casting shorelines using double-jointed crank baits has been good for multiple species. Leeches under floats have been good for walleye. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
Water temperatures are creeping up, and the fish are starting to school in their usual summer haunts. With water temperatures reaching the lower 70s, walleye have been hanging outside the weed edges in 14-24 feet of water. Trolling spinner rigs or lindy rigs with leeches or night crawlers has been best. On days when the fish are scattered and further out from the weeds, use a jigging rap for the most success. Crappies and bluegills have also offered great mid-summer action. Targeting panfish in the summer is a great option when you want to change things up a bit. The crappies and bluegills have been in 6-14 feet of water either in or on the outside edge of the cabbage beds. Most anglers are having success using a combination of artificial baits such as tubes, grubs, and spinners, but live bait rigs have been working too. The bass fishing is really starting to heat up. Look to the shallows, roughly 2-6 feet of water, during morning and evening hours for a great topwater bite all summer long. During the day, target bass using a 1/8-ounce jig head and a 4- to 7-inch worm in 8-18 feet of water outside the weed beds. The thickest weeds are usually the best starting point. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake of the Woods, good numbers of nice-size walleye and sauger are being reported. Jigs tipped minnows or leeches, and bouncers with spinners and crawlers or minnows are producing lots of fish. Gold, glow and brightly-colored tackle is best. Walleye anglers are finding fish in 14-18 feet of water when baitfish are present. Other anglers are having success in depths of 29-30 feet in Big Traverse. Trolled crank baits are starting to turn some fish, with a mix of northern pike, perch and smallmouth bass also being taken throughout the lake. Anglers fishing the Rainy River are finding some walleye during morning and evening hours. Trolling crank baits or pulling spinners is a good way to cover water and connect with fish. The smallmouth bass are active along the shorelines and near the feeder streams. Up at the Northwest Angle, the water temperatures have risen into the upper 60s and lower 70s. Anglers are having success fishing the east sides of Lunatic and the Four Blocks when pulling spinners with crawlers or minnows through 22-26 feet of water. Muskie fishing is heating up. Anglers are taking mid- to upper 40-inch fish, with many walleye anglers hooking into muskies as well. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bemidji
The walleye bite has been good despite the erratic weather conditions. Anglers reporting the most fish are using jigs and minnows. On the windier days, most walleye are coming from the deep weed edges. Long-line jigging has been the best technique. The mid-lake structure is producing fish in depths of 17-20 feet of water. Northern pike continue to bite aggressively along the deep weedlines, with live bait rigs and jigs tipped with minnows working well. Crappies and bluegills continue to be caught on 1/16-ounce jigs with minnows or plastics. Most of those fish are coming from the cabbage beds in 6-12 feet of water. Bass fishing remains excellent on area lakes. Anglers having the most success are using jigs and 4- to 6-inch plastic worms or plastic creature baits at the humps and weedlines in 6-12 feet of water. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
Park Rapids
Walleye fishing has been good in depths of 12-40 feet of water, depending on the lake. Leeches and nightcrawlers on live bait rigs with long snells have been the most productive. A jig head tipped with a leech is also a good bet. Hungry panfish are being pulled from the weed beds in 6-10 feet of water on pieces of leeches suspended about 4 feet down from a bobber. The largest sunfish, however, are on the deep weedlines in 15 foot depths where lindy rigs with panfish-sized leeches have been best. Crappies are beginning to suspend in the warmer lakes. Look for them roughly 12-15 feet down over roughly 30 feet of water. For some large slabs, use a slip bobber and crappie minnow, or try the countdown method with a 16-ounce jig head and white grub. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Detroit Lakes
Crappies and bluegills continue to be caught on 1/16-ounce jigs and minnows or plastics. Most of those fish are coming from the cabbage in 6-12 feet of water. Bass action remains excellent on area lakes at the humps and weedlines in 6-12 feet of water. Jigs with 4-6 inch plastic worms or plastic creature baits have been best. The walleye bite remains good in depths of 17-20 feet of water at the mid-lake structure, especially when using jigs and minnows. On windy days, use a long-line jigging technique at the deep weed edges. Northern pike continue to bite aggressively along the deep weedlines. Live bait rigs and jigs with minnows are working well. Please practice selective harvesting. By doing so, the fish population will remain healthy for years to come. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
As of late last week, the walleye bite on Lake Mille Lacs remained strong. Fish were pulled from a variety of depths ranging from 8-35 feet, with the best concentrations in 23-32 feet of water. While the mud flats gave up better numbers of fish, the deep gravel was best for large fish. Leeches on a simple rig worked well, as did crawlers and spinners. Smallmouth bass action was great for anglers using jerkbaits and small tubes or grubs in 10-14 feet of water. Few anglers were chasing northern pike and muskie, but those that did reported an improvement in the bite, especially in 8-12 feet of water. Lake Mille Lacs has been ranked the best bass lake in the country by Bassmaster! Find out for yourself why bass anglers love this lake! 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Willmar Area Lakes
Lots of anglers fished from shore and off the docks over the 4th of July weekend, with reports of active sunfish, crappies, bass and northern pike. Many of the best reports came from Eagle, Florida and Diamond lakes. Angle worms and wax worms were the bait of choice. The lake temperatures were just above 70 degrees, and expected to climb with the forecasted high temperatures. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Waconia - Lake Waconia
Crappie and sunfish action has been good on Lake Waconia, with anglers finding fish on the south and north sides of Coney Island in 10-12 feet of water. Fishing off of the weeds around Pillsbury, North, Kegs and Cemetery reefs has been productive for panfish, bass and walleye. Bass have been active in the shallow reeds on the northwest side of the lake. Walleye anglers have been doing well when jigging with leeches or fatheads in 13-20 feet of water, and when slowly trolling a crawler on a lindy rig along the outside weedlines. 952-442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org
White Bear Area Lakes
Fishing remains great on White Bear Lake. Bass are being pulled from the shallows under the docks on plastics. The muskie bite is heating up being, with fish coming from 8-10 feet of water along the weed edges. Northern pike are active around the weed patches, responding to spinner baits. Families with kids are having a great time fishing for panfish in depths of 5 feet. Don’t miss all of the great food, live music and fun family events during Marketfest each Thursday from 6- to 9-p.m. in downtown White Bear Lake through the end of July. 651-653-5122; www.explorewhitebear.org
Southern Minnesota
Winona - Mississippi River/Lake Pepin
Fishing has been great on the Mississippi River, with lots of walleye being reported. Anglers are also taking willow cats, bass and northern pike. On Lake Winona, anglers are catching nice numbers of bass and crappies. 507-452-0735; www.visitwinona.com
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Friday, June 30, conditions on area streams and rivers were mostly muddy, with a high water flow. By Sunday, July 2, the National Trout Center in Preston reported that most area streams and rivers had improved and were in good to excellent condition. The only exception was the Root River below Lanesboro, but conditions there were improving rapidly. The stream temperatures reflected the cooler weather. With no major hatches taking place, fly selection was wide open. Beetles, ants and hoppers were expected to be very popular over the next several weeks. Nymphing was recommended, along with patience and practice. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Ortonville - Big Stone Lake
Big Stone Lake anglers reported lots of bluegill, walleye, white bass, northern pike and perch last weekend. A couple of boats found some bluegill beds and came away with nearly a dozen fish measuring 9- to 11- inches. Another group of anglers brought in six nice-sized walleye after trolling the weedlines in the center of the lake. 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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