Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - May 14, 2020

Gavin Forrest and his 24-inch walleye / Coopers Gateway General Store in Kabetogama

Anglers took a lot of quality fish over opening weekend, including some very large walleye. Smaller jigs tipped with shiner minnows, cast and slowly retrieved, produced the majority of fish, especially in the warm water bays and current areas.

Anglers are asked to continue to fish bodies of water close to home, and practice social distancing at the boat landings and shorelines.  

Please note that water temperatures remain very cold so anglers need to wear a life jacket. Please review cold water dangers before heading out.

For most inland waters, Minnesota fishing opener dates are as follows:

• May 9: Walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass (catch-and-release) and lake trout
• June 6: Muskie
• Continuous: Crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish

For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR's Fish Minnesota web page.

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]

Northeast Minnesota

Kabetogama

Last Saturday’s Minnesota Fishing Opener went very well for most anglers. On Sunday, the bite subsided a bit, likely due to chilly and windy conditions, along with some snow flurries. Once the sun came out later in the afternoon, the bite took off again.

Dock fishing was good, but a little slow compared to recent years. Rising water temperatures should cause the bite to heat up later in the week. The shallows gave up the larger fish. Anglers fishing deeper waters, roughly 25-32 feet deep, caught more eater-sized fish. It didn't seem to matter what you threw at them — shiners, rainbows and chubs all worked well. Northern pike were extremely active. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Ely

Walleye anglers did very well on opening day. Many anglers took their limits of walleye in less than an hour! During the day, anglers found walleye in 12-16 feet of water near areas with current. A 1/4-ounce jig and minnow proved to be the most effective in these areas due to high water. As evening approached, most walleye moved into waters as shallow as 3 feet. A 1/8-ounce jig and minnow worked best in the shallows, but anglers also reported catching lots of walleye on floating rapalas, and jigs with twister or paddle tails.

Northern pike anglers found pike to be very active. Many anglers burned through several dozens of heavy suckers on opening day. Hanging a big sucker under a large bobber was very effective and accounted for several pike in the 40-inch range. Pike were found in the shallow bays and near areas with current where waters were warmer and forage was easy to find.

Crappie fishing was slow over the weekend due to cold temperatures and high winds. Some anglers were able to still find some crappies in 15 feet of water just outside the shallow bays. Anglers reported that the crappies were caught using a 1/16-ounce jig tipped with a crappie minnow set close to the bottom. Pink and white jigs were the most effective for these anglers. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Duluth - Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters

Lake Superior is giving up lots of fish. The best baits have been bright colors (hot pinks, oranges and greens) pulled behind planer boards on the upper half of the water column. Target depths have been near shore in 50-100 feet of water, and a little off shore in 150-plus feet of water. The warmer parts of the day have been the most productive. Lake trout have accounted for the majority of catches, but anglers have also reported lots of coho salmon, brown trout and a few steelhead. This bite will continue to flourish for the next several weeks. Stream anglers are finding success at first light when swinging striker indicators over egg patterns. It is important to be stealthy and not spook the fish when maneuvering to new fishing bends and holes.

The St. Louis River has been very kind to anglers. The best presentations have been oversized live bait jigged on 1/8- to 1/4-ounce jigs. The highest quality fish have been in the middle to lower sections of the water column, but some nice fish can also be found high in the water column. Don't be surprised if you catch some bonus smallmouth bass, northern pike or sturgeon, as these fish are also very active right now. Trolling has been effective when using mid-sized double-jointed crank baits. Productive colors have been golds and browns, but overall color hasn't been a strong factor with the fish. Good fish have been found in all sections of the river. Please note that the area above the Highway 23 Bridge is off limits until May 19. There is no signage, but it is noted in the Minnesota Fishing Regulations. Also, be sure you have a paper copy of your license when fishing border waters. 

The inland waters, such as the reservoirs north of Duluth, continue to kick out fish. Anglers having the most success are drift jigging live bait at the 6-14 foot breaks, with a good mix of walleye, bass and pike being taken. A slip bobber and leech off the sharp transitions is also a great approach, but worms, minnows and leeches will all produce fish. Remember to check size limit regulations as different lakes have different rules. Panfishing has been slower than expected, likely due to the cooler spring temperatures which are hovering in the 47-60 degree range. The forecast calls for much warmer temperatures, so the panfish should move up into the fresh, shallow vegetation over the next couple of weeks. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Opening weekend was cooler than expected, but anglers still headed out in pursuit of walleye, crappies and northern pike. While the bass season is catch-and-release, several nice smallmouth bass were also reported. Some of the lakes that gave up fish included Bowstring, Splithand and Cutfoot Sioux, along with the Mississippi River. Jigs and minnows were the best producers, especially on the less clear bodies of water. Anglers that headed out after midnight took quite a few walleye when trolling crank baits in depths of 6-10 feet. Expect the bite to improve as water temperatures continue to warm.

When fishing the Mississippi River for walleye, either anchor or spot locate with your electronics, then cast to the edges of the holes. There were mixed reports from anglers using leeches and slip bobbers.

Crappie anglers found that the crappies were hesitant to bite, likely due to cool water temperatures and windy conditions. For the most crappies, stay mobile and fish the calmer, warmer waters using slip bobbers along with a small minnow or high-action plastic tail. The bite should really heat up in the near future. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Anglers reported some great walleye action on the south end of Lake of the Woods last weekend. Walleye and sauger were eager to bite all along the south shore in depths ranging from 6-23 feet of water, with 20 feet being a good starting depth. Anchored up and vertically jigging a jig and minnow, in many cases a frozen emerald shiner, was the ticket to success. Jigs in gold, chartreuse, pink or glow colors were the most effective. Good numbers of northern pike continue to be caught in the bays.

The Rainy River gave up some very nice walleye over the weekend. Fish were also pulled from the Four Mile Bay and Bostic Bay areas. Jigs tipped with a minnow were the most effective. The sturgeon bite remained strong with numbers of fish being caught. Please note that the sturgeon catch-and-release season ends May 15, reopening July 1.

Up at the Northwest Angle, an agreement between the U.S. and Canada will keep the international border closed until May 20. Until the border opens, guests can travel across the lake and stay in Minnesota.  Some resorts are offering transport service across the lake to the Northwest Angle prior to the border opening.  Various south shore resorts are offering parking for guests of Northwest Angle resorts. Anglers who fished over opening weekend were rewarded with good numbers of walleye.  Jigging the shoreline structure, points and neck-down areas in 6-22 feet of water was the most effective. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Walker - Leech Lake

The walleye were stacked-up on the usual 6-10 foot flats on Leech Lake last weekend. Areas with some weed growth held the largest schools of fish. The most successful anglers pitched a small jig (1/16- or 1/8-ounce) tipped with a small shiner minnow away from the boat. Slow and small presentations worked best. This weekend’s warmer temperatures should cause the bite to really heat up.

Crappies and perch were responding to the same presentations, but less eager to bite due to cold water temperatures. A small up-tick in water temperatures should increase the panfish bite as well.

Many area lakes gave up good numbers of northern pike and catch-and-release bass in the shallow, weedy bays. Swim baits were a good choice for both species. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Central Region

Otter Tail Area Lakes

The Minnesota Fishing Opener was extremely cold and it snowed on opening day, yet there hadn’t been any snowfall for more than a month. The fishing was difficult for many anglers, partially due to the fact that it’s not easy to feel a soft walleye bite when your hand is too cold to feel the rod! Still, it was very uplifting to be out on the water and enjoying nature during such unusual times.

The water temperatures are currently in the upper 40s and lower 50s depending on the lake. Because lake water temperatures have dropped 5 to 10 degrees over the last few days, the shiner spawn has stalled. Lake shiners are key to catching walleye during the first few weeks of the fishing season, and when cold temperatures cause the shallows and current areas to drop in temperature, the shiners tend to head back out to their staging areas in the main lake. The walleye usually follow right behind. Once water temperatures reach the 60-degree mark, shiners and predator species are less influenced by temperature fluctuations, allowing more predictable patterns develop.

For the most consistent early season walleye fishing, stick to the smaller area lakes where the fish can’t retreat very far. Use a 1/16-once jig in the shallows, and if the fish aren’t biting, use a 1/8- or 3/16-ounce jig at the drop-offs. While shiner minnows are best, bring along some leeches and crawlers to see which of the three baits is the most productive. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com

Brainerd Area Lakes

Despite the cold temperatures, the walleye and northern pike bite was on fire. Most of the fish were found at the emerging clumps of weeds or on the sand in 5-12 feet of water. A variety of techniques worked well, including trolling stick baits, casting plastics and long-lining live bait.

The panfish bite has been as inconsistent as the weather, but the fish are hungry and active. Plastics and live bait presentations have worked well.

The largemouth and smallmouth bass are in their pre-spawn locations, hitting nearly anything tossed their way. Please note that bass are currently catch-and-release only. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

The walleye bite was excellent over the fishing opener. Lots of anglers were out on Lake Mille Lacs despite it being a catch-and-release walleye season. Bass anglers were inadvertently catching more walleye then bass. The water temperature in most of the bays and areas with sand was roughly 50 degrees. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Three Rivers Park District

Fishing and boating are great ways to enjoy the outdoors and maintain proper social distancing, and the Three Rivers Park District offers many great lake and river options for fishing. Check out their fishing page for a list of fishable waters. www.threeriversparks.org

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

As of Wednesday, May 13, all area rivers and streams were clear with a normal water flow. Fisheries staff described the conditions as nearly perfect for fishing. Some rain was in the forecast, but it wasn’t expected to impact the streams since the ground was so dry.  There were more reports of caddis hatching. Presentations should be based on the next wave of hatches, using imitations that best represent them. And on April 30, fisheries staff noted that the trout abundance was at its highest on record for many streams in the Driftless Region!

The Stream Trout harvest season is open. Maps are available under the “Area Highlights” tab on the Lanesboro Fisheries web page. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com

Ortonville - Big Stone Lake

Fishing on Big Stone Lake was spectacular late last week. Nice panfish and walleye were biting well. The walleye bite from shore and off the docks was good in the evenings, and very good during day. Depths of 8 feet were best, especially when using leeches. Trolling with crawlers was expected to produce very soon. The white bass bite was excellent in many areas. 320-839-3284; www.bigstonelake.com

Visit the Explore Minnesota Fishing & Hunting page for information to help you plan your next Minnesota fishing trip!

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