The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Duluth, where numbers of coho salmon, chinooks, kamloops, steelhead, crappies and perch are being taken.
The opening dates for the 2005/2006 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, -May 14; largemouth and smallmouth bass, -May 28; and muskie -June 4. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing http://www.wildlifelicense.com/mn/index.html
==========================
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
DULUTH FISHING REPORT
Anglers trolling the top 10 feet of water on Lake Superior are taking good numbers of cohos, chinooks and kamloops using purple or pink stickbaits on the surface. Along the North Shore, steelhead continue to move into the rivers–for the most fish, hit the Lester, French, Sucker and Knife rivers using yarn flies and spawn bugs. Coho salmon action is great off the river mouths, along the shorelines. Try white looper bugs, and worms just off the bottom for some good action. Crappie action has been best on Caribou, Elora, Nickles and Grand lakes. Perch remain active on Pike Lake.
KABETOGAMA FISHING REPORT
Cold temperatures this past week have kept anglers off of Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, however water temperatures and lake levels continue to rise. Crappie anglers are finding some fish in the deeper waters. Northern pike action has been fair on Lake Namakan in the shallow, weedy bays. The majority of fishing action lately has been for suckers, which are being taken on a hook and line–as of May 1st, anglers may also use nets and spears.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS FISHING REPORT
The northern pike season is open on the border waters of the Rainy River, however all fish between 30- and 40-inches must be released immediately, and only one northern over 40 inches is allowed. The lake sturgeon season opened April 24 and will remain open until May 7. The regular fishing season is expected to be a good one.
GRAND RAPIDS FISHING REPORT
Cold temperatures have caused crappies to move into deeper waters, with one angler pulling crappies from 40 feet of water just a couple of days ago. The smelt have also moved into deeper waters, and if the cold temperatures remain, there may not be much of a smelt run.
==============================
NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
BAUDETTE FISHING REPORT
On Lake of the Woods, catch-and-release sturgeon fishing has been great at Four Mile Bay. Sturgeon anglers can also watch the Minnesota DNR Fisheries personnel tag these monsters. There were 371 northern pike weighed in, and over 300 fish released, at the 9th Annual Ice-Out Trophy Pike Tournament at Zippel Bay last weekend. Fish between the 30- to 40-inch slot were not weighed. The largest northern weighed 19 pounds, 3 ounces.
BLACKDUCK FISHING REPORT
Anglers took limits of crappies from Upper Red Lake last weekend. The best approach was a jig and minnow under a bobber in 4-6 feet of water. Recent cold temperatures have moved both crappies and sunnies into deeper waters on most area lakes.
BEMIDJI FISHING REPORT
Trout fishing has been good on area streams, such as Clearwater, Kabekona and Necktie. For sunnies and crappies, try fishing the edge of the reeds and brush piles on Plantagenet, Bemidji and Big lakes.
BENA FISHING REPORT
On Lake Winnibigoshish, DNR Fisheries personnel are already done taking eggs from the Little Cutfoot walleye stripping station. The eggs will be used to help stock walleyes in lakes throughout the state. Anglers predict that the early ice out will lead to excellent walleye fishing by the May 14th opener. Crappie anglers had been doing well on area lakes, however recent cold temperatures have caused the crappies to retreat into deeper waters. Until the weather warms back up, vertically jig in depths of 18-25 feet–electronics will help you locate these fish. Once temperatures warm, move back into the shallows and switch to a slip bobber and small jig tipped with a power grub or small minnow.
WALKER FISHING REPORT
A few anglers are venturing out for perch and crappies on Leech Lake. Crappie action has been best in the bays of Leech Lake, and in the shallows of Pleasant, Birch and Ten Mile lakes.
PARK RAPIDS FISHING REPORT
The crappie bite has been best on Big Mantrap Lake, with waxworms and minnows taking fish from the shallows. For brown trout, hit the Straight River.
DETROIT LAKES FISHING REPORT
Crappies and sunnies were very active on area lakes until the weather turned cold and windy. Most of the fish were being caught in the shallow bays in 3-5 feet of water on little nipper jigs and tiny tails placed under a float. Sunfish can still be found in the shallows, but the crappies have moved back to deeper water areas. Try fishing the first deep break out from the shallow water bays and you should find fish. Once the temperatures rise, expect the crappies to move back into the shallow water bays of Little Detroit, Little Cormorant, Pelican, Floyd, Cotton, Big Cormorant, Crystal and Lizzie lakes.
PELICAN RAPIDS FISHING REPORT
Last week, anglers were catching fish on Sand, Prairie, Lida and Mud lakes. Crappie action has slowed this week due to cold and windy weather.
BATTLE LAKE FISHING REPORT
Although fishing has slowed, crappies can still be found on most area lakes using crappie minnows and fatheads in the shallow bays. Some of the better locations include West Battle, Clitheral, Blanche and Stalker lakes.
ALEXANDRIA FISHING REPORT
The crappie bite was excellent last week, however the cold temerpatures have slowed things down. Last weekend, anglers were taking numbers of fish from the shallows of Miltona, Ida, Latoka, Oscar, Lobster, Darling, Geneva and Le Homme Dieu lakes. The best approach was a tube jig, cubbie, powerbait or gulp tipped with a minnow. Warmer weather is forecasted for next week, when good fishing action should resume.
STARBUCK FISHING REPORT
On Lake Minnewaska, the cold temperatures have not seemed to slow the panfish and crappie bite. At the Starbuck Marina, anglers continue to catch numbers off fish right off the docks. For crappies, use a jig and crappie minnow; for sunfish, switch to small leeches or waxworms. On the Glenwood end of the lake, near the Fish Hatchery, many anglers fishing from boat are having success using the same presentations. Channel catfish action has been excellent on the Chippewa River near Benson, with fresh chicken livers and nightcrawlers taking the most fish. The river is currently high, which will be good for the walleye season opener.
BRAINERD FISHING REPORT
The channels and backwater areas are the key locations for finding crappies at this time. Good crappie options include Crosslake, Rush, Margaret and Pelican lakes. Locate water temperatures over 50 degrees and you’ll locate crappies. The best baits have been small jigs tipped with minnows or puddle jumpers. When fishing at dusk, search for a lighted dock or bridge, which seem to be crappie magnets this time of year.
NISSWA FISHING REPORT
Anglers continue to catch crappies, despite the recent cold temperatures. For the most fish, hit the shallows using a pink jighead tipped with a pearl white puddle jumper. Crappie minnows are the second best approach. Recommended lakes include Gull Lake Chain, North Long, Hubert, and many of the smaller area lakes. Nice-sized bluegill are being pulled from the small, muddy bays using small hair jigs tipped with a waxworm.
ISLE FISHING REPORT
On Lake Mille Lacs, a few anglers are venturing out in search of crappies and perch. For the most fish, hit the bays along the south end of the lake.
===================
TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS
ST. CLOUD FISHING REPORT
Fishing has slowed with the cool temperatures. On Grand and Rice lakes, crappies have moved into deeper waters–try 7-10 feet of water with a flu flu and crappie minnow for the most fish. Panfish action has also slowed a bit. The best approach has been a waxworm in depths of 4-7 feet. On Lake Koronis, panfish are hitting in the bay off Hwy 55. Anglers continue to pull panfish from the deep waters near the shallow water bays on Brigg’s and Little Rock lakes, as well as on the Mississippi River. For some good catfish action, hit the holes in the channels on Horseshoe Lake.
ANNANDALE FISHING REPORT
Anglers are taking some crappies from Greenshed, Horseshoe, McBrides and Osterbee bays on Clearwater Lake.
WACONIA FISHING REPORT
On Lake Waconia, Waconia Bay and the much of the northern end of the lake are giving up crappies on flu flus and minnows.
WAYZATA FISHING REPORT
On Lake Minnetonka, the bite has been tough, however consistent days of sunshine should result in greater action. For the most fish, try a small jig or ice fly tipped with a waxworm in 8-10 feet of water. Use a slow presentation due to cold water tempertures.
CHISAGO CITY FISHING REPORT
Sunnies and crappies are biting on most area lakes. Many shore anglers are catching numbers of fish in the shallows, with the largest fish found in 8-12 foot depths. Some of the better locations include Chisago, North and South Center lakes, as well as the beach on South Lindstrom Lake. The best approach has been a small jig tipped with a waxworm, crappie minnow or panfish leech. The St. Croix River walleye fishing opener, this Saturday, April 30, is expected to be good near Franconia.
=====================
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
WABASHA FISHING REPORT
Large walleye are biting on the Mississippi River. Anglers are taking fish by trolling #11 firetiger rapalas, as well as by using spinnerbaits, casting spoons, and sucker minnows. Last weekend, a young woman caught a northern weighing nearly 16 pounds. Stripers are hitting jig and minnow combinations below the Alma Dam. Action at the foot of Lake Pepin has also been good.
MANKATO FISHING REPORT
Anglers report catching crappies on most area lakes in 10-12 feet of water. Off Buckmasters on Madison Lake, shore anglers are catching sunnies and crappies on a slip bobber and crappie minnow. Between German and Jefferson lakes, crappies are hitting chartreuse or orange flu flus and tube jigs cast from shore. On Washington Lake, try working 10-12 feet of water in Baker’s Bay, or just off the narrows in depths of 15-18 feet.
MONTEVIDEO FISHING REPORT
Crappie action has been okay on Lake Lac Qui Parle. Catfish action has been excellent on the Minnesota River. For this Saturday’s walleye opener on Big Stone Lake, work the shallows at the very south or north ends of the lake using a slow presentation. A jig tipped with a minnow or leech should produce fish, especially during evening hours.
Related Articles:
- Minnesota Fishing Report – 4/26/05 The Fishing Hot Spot this week is...
- Minnesota Fishing Report 11/12/04 In general, many of the smaller area...
- Minnesota Fishing Report 2/25/05 The walleye, northern pike, muskie, largemouth and...
- Minnesota Fishing Report 3/25/05 The walleye, northern pike, muskie, large and...
- Minnesota Fishing Reports 4/14/05 TWIN CITIES FISHING REPORTS ST. CLOUD, MN...
