Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - June 23, 2022

Summer patterns are taking hold. Walleye and other species are responding to minnnows as well as leeches. It won’t be long until leeches and crawlers out-produce minnows. The best bite windows are now during morning and evening hours.

Please note that flooding remains a serious problem within Voyageurs National Park. Anyone traveling to the park should call ahead for the most current conditions.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, please visit Explore Minnesota's COVID-19 Information page before traveling.

Anglers continue to enjoy outstanding fishing in the Ely area. Walleye are being pulled from 15-20 feet of water on spinner rigs and jigs tipped with leeches or crawlers. Trolling small crankbaits has been very effective for rainbow trout. In Cook County, fishing has been good for lake trout anglers using spoons on Lake Superior. Trout are active near the mouths of the rivers, and the inland lakes are giving nice numbers of walleye. Closer to Duluth, Lake Superior is giving up lots of lake trout and salmon to anglers using stick baits and spoons before mid-morning. The St. Louis River Estuary flats have been good for walleye, catfish, perch and some bonus crappies. Crankbaits have been effective in 4-8 feet of water. The inland waters have been kind to walleye anglers using live bait on jigs or under slip bobbers in 10-16 feet of water. Walleye fishing remains very good in Grand Rapids area lakes. Jig and minnow combinations continue to work well, but slip sinker rigs with leeches or crawlers will out-produce minnows very soon.  Flooding continues in and around Voyageurs National Park.

Walleye are being pulled from depths of 4-30 feet of water on Lake of the Woods. Jigs and spinners with a crawler or minnow have been the most effective. Anglers are pulling walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass and northern pike from the current breaks on the Rainy River. Bemidji area lakes are giving up lots of walleye to anglers using jigs and minnows, as well as live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers. Jigs and lindy rigs tipped with leeches account for most of the walleye pulled from Leech Lake, but the more aggressive fish seem to prefer leeches under slip bobbers.

Walleye are coming from traditional summer structure on Alexandria area lakes, with crawlers and leeches on live bait rigs turning the most fish. Walleye holding near weeds are susceptible to jig minnow combinations and leeches under a slip bobber. On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye anglers are having success at the reefs when using bobbers and leeches. Smallmouth bass are providing lots of action as they move off their beds.

The St. Croix River is giving up nice numbers of walleye, smallmouth bass and sheepshead. A variety of fishing programs will be offered over the next few weeks in the Twin Cities area, including new fly-casting lessons offered by the Twin Cities Trout Unlimited Chapter — check 'em out!

Fishing in the Wabasha and Lake City areas of the Mississippi River’s Pool 4 has been very good for walleye anglers using crawler harnesses. Walleye are also responding to live bait at the wing dams. Southeast Minnesota fisheries staff note that most streams and rivers are in great condition, with mayfly and caddis hatches reported. The walleye and bluegill bite on Big Stone Lake has been hot, and the perch bite nearly as good.