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Jig and minnow combinations continue to turn the majority of fish with lots of walleye being reported. Water temperatures are inching up so the crappies and bass should also be active this weekend. The forecast calls for temperatures more typical of the 4th of July than Memorial Day with mostly sunny skies and highs ranging from the upper 80s to the low 90s through Monday.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2018/2019 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass and lake trout, May 12; muskie, June 2. 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.
Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye fishing on Rainy Lake is improving as the water warms. Walleye can still be found in about 12 feet of water along the rocky shorelines and islands. Anglers looking for large northern pike are finding them at the mouths of the bays in and around the weed beds. Rainy River walleye fishing has been best during morning and evening hours from the dam to the area just west of the golf course. The Rainy River is known for producing trophy-size sturgeon, and on May 4, Jack Burke of Stillwater, Minnesota caught a record-breaking sturgeon measuring 6 feet, 1 inch. The fish was taken on a muskie rod with an 80-pound braided line, circle hook and crawlers. Fortunately, the fish was released. According to the Minnesota DNR’s weight/girth/age chart, the fish was roughly 50 years old and may live (and grow!) for decades to come. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Kabetogama
Fishing was excellent last weekend. The water temperatures had jumped into the mid-50s. Larger walleye were consistently being caught in the shallows while the eating-size fish were coming from depths of 20 to 30 feet of water. Shorelines and island points were producing more frequently. Island areas like Martin, Cuculus and Three Sisters were productive, as well the entrances to Peterson and Slatinsky bays. Jigs and minnows worked well at the deeper breaks off the sand bars. On calm, sunny days, 22 to 25 foot depths were best. On windy and overcast days, 15 to 18 foot depths were more productive. Northern pike were an easy catch and the smallmouth bass were biting more often. Jumbo perch were starting to show up. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com
Ely Area Lakes & Streams
The walleye spawn is nearly complete and anglers report lots of hungry fish. Many walleye are still being caught in relatively shallow water. Minnows have been the go-to bait, but leeches are turning fish as well. Most of the activity has been near moving waters such as where creeks and rivers merge with lakes. Some anglers are having success using slowly- trolled crank baits in the drop-offs leading to the shallower flats late in the day. Some large northern pike are coming in on live sucker minnows fished under a slip bobber, and on dead minnows fished right on the bottom – it seems that the bigger fish are taking frozen bait such as smelt so they don't have to expend much energy. The shallows near shore remain best. Some crappies are being reported by walleye anglers. When targeting crappies, look for schools of fish adjacent to the shallow flats where they will be spawning in the near future. Some decent-sized lake trout have been hitting trolled crank baits and spoons in 20 to 30 feet of water, with several fish weighing more than 10 pounds. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Grand Rapids
Fishing has been very good on most lakes in the Grand Rapids area. Walleye are responding to jig and minnow combinations, but several anglers have taken fish when using leeches instead of minnows. Some of the most productive lakes include Winnibigoshish, Moose, Bowstring, Round and Big Splithand. Northern pike action has been excellent and new regulations allow anglers to keep a few more than last year. Remember, once the “Y-bone” is removed, northern pike are one of the best eating fish around. Bass fishing has been slow but should improve as the water warms further. The smallmouth bass will be setting up on the shallow reefs to spawn in the near future – please take a picture and return these fish as quickly as possible to help preserve the population. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers fishing Lake of the Woods continue to take good numbers of walleye and sauger, especially at Rocky Point, Long Point, Zippel Bay, Pine Island, Knight Island and the main lake basin. The best technique is to anchor in 15 to 23 feet of water during the day, then toss out a jig and frozen shiner. Some of the walleye are sliding into 10 to 13 feet of water during evening hours. Water levels are starting to rise on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. Some of the Rainy River walleye are making their way out to lake, however, a large population stays in the river year round. For the most action, bounce a jig and frozen shiner off the bottom. Please note that sturgeon fishing closed May 16, but will reopen July 1. Up at the Northwest Angle and Islands area, nice numbers of walleye are being pulled from 5 to 10 feet of water, as well as depths of 17 to 23 feet. Walleye spawned in the lake just last week. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Hackensack Area Lakes
Fishing has been very good with an increase in walleye activity on Pine Mountain, Woman, Baby and Pleasant lakes. While temperatures are still a little cool, the fish are showing up in 15 to 22 feet of water during the day, and a bit shallower at dusk and past nightfall. During the day, slowly pull minnows such large fatheads or shiners on a jig or rig; towards dusk, move up onto the shelves and pitch jigs or throw crankbaits towards the breaks. Leech Lake has been great for anglers using a slow presentation away from the boat in depths of 6 to 14 feet. When there is a good walleye chop, try vertical jigging away from the boat. Crappies are getting more aggressive in the usual spring locations. It's hard to beat a slip bobber and crappie minnow near the beaver piles, timber and groups of docks. Anglers are also having success when tossing out crappie plastics and cruising for pockets of active fish. Large and smallmouth bass action has also heated up this week. Fish are getting more aggressive and are more willing to take faster presentations. They've been hitting topwater lures and shallow crank baits. Bouncing plastics quickly across the bottom has also been a good technique. If you pause, allow a few seconds to let chasing fish pick it off the bottom. Fishing should remain great this week as water temperatures continue to warm. Occasional fronts may affect established patterns, but there should be some great feeding periods triggered by the front activity! 800-279-6932; www.hackensackchamber.com
Park Rapids
The bluegills and crappies are holding 7 feet of water or less. For good numbers of both species, use small tube jigs, a bobber with a minnow or wax worm, or a tiny crankbait. The walleye are gravitating to the new weed growth on the shallow flats and shoreline drop-offs. Anglers having the most success are slowly trolling jigs or live bait rigs tipped with a minnow along the bottom. A 4-inch plastic swim bait on a weedy flat may also lead to fast action. For northern pike, work the weeds in the 5 to 10 feet of water using shallow-diving crank baits or spinner baits. A good multi-purpose combination is a spinner rig tipped with a minnow trolled at a medium speed -- this set up works well for walleye and pike. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Detroit Lakes
Water temperatures have climbed into the 60’s in the Detroit Lakes area so the bass should be active for this weekend. Most of the bass will be shallow, holding near their spawning areas. Walleye remain at the first breaks in 8 to 14 feet of water near the developing weeds. While shiners minnows remain the best bet, all baits and presentations seem to be turning fish. The northern pike action has heated up with the warmer temperatures. Please note that there are new regional regulations in place. Sunnies are crappies remain in the shallow weeds in the clearer, deeper lakes; check the outside weed edges on the darker, shallower lakes. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
Walleye anglers are beginning to experience consistent catches throughout Ottertail County. Shiner minnows remain the top bait for fast perch, northern pike and walleye action. Be sure to bring a bunch of shiners this weekend since you will probably go through a lot! Replacing minnows often is key since you don’t want to drag dead minnows. Jigs are the top walleye presentation this time of year, especially for those fish that are shallow and need a little casting and retrieving action. Live bait rigging is another strong option. With lindy/live bait rigs, be sure and keep an eye on your leader-length, hook colors and sizes, and weight sizes. Success with live bait rigging is derived from a combination of factors so try to dial-in to what the walleye want. Many mid-sized lakes experienced a cool down the past few days, which seemed to cause the crappies to leave their potential spawning areas, and the sunfish still organizing over the drops. Fish that head for shallow areas in the spring are affected by the shallows warming and cooling quickly. Crappie anglers will find some large crappies right now but please be sure to release the large ones and keep the mid-sized fish for eating to keep the population strong. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Willmar
The walleye bite in the Willmar Lakes Area has heated up, and walleye anglers are having the best action on Wakanda, Big Kandiyohi and Lillian lakes. Sunfish, crappies and bass are moving up toward the docks so shore and dock fishing has been great. For the most panfish action, try Diamond, Eagle, Florida, Andrew and Norway lakes. A few large muskie have been pulled from Green and Nest lakes over the past two weeks. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
While the bite has been good on Lake Mille Lacs, the water temperatures are still a bit lower than ideal. Once water temperatures rise into the 50s the bite should really heat up. This weekend’s hot temperatures and windy conditions should help considerably. Walleye anglers are taking quite a few smallmouth bass along with the walleye. Jigs and shiners in 12 to 18 feet of water have been best for walleye, but leeches are also starting to produce. In the evening, try a jig and slip bobber or a jerk bait. Some of the better locations include Pike Point, the north-end sand, Big Point and Vineland Bay. Northern pike have also been active. For fun, smallmouth bass action, use small tubes or grubs on jigs. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Southern Minnesota
Winona - Mississippi River and Lake Winona
Walleye are being caught in the backwaters and at the wing dams on the Mississippi River. Trolling is working well for both walleye and northern pike. Anglers fishing Lake Winona are taking lots of crappies. 507-452-0735; www.visitwinona.com
Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Thursday, May 24, fisheries staff report that most area streams and rivers are clear to slightly off in color and have a normal water flow. No Light Hendrickson hatches have been reported, but the hatches should begin shortly. Before heading out, check the DNR’s Real Time Stream Flow Map and the Minnesota Stream Flow Report. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Ortonville - Big Stone Lake
The dock fishing has been good at Schmidt's Landing on Big Stone Lake over the last few weeks. The water is clear so a later bite around sunset has been best. Successful anglers have used jigs and minnows, as well as #5 purple shad raps. Boat fishing has been a little tougher but some largemouth bass and walleye have been caught around the islands south of Schmidt's Landing. Memorial Day Weekend should be spectacular with mostly sunny skies and highs in the 90s! 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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