The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Nisswa, where numbers of sunnies and crappies 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

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

MANKATO FISHING REPORT
The crappie tournament on Madison Lake last weekend resulted in some very large fish taken from 23 feet of water off the narrows. For the crappie tournament this weekend on Lake Washington, hit the points, or Baker’s Bay in 8-12 feet of water. Anglers should also have success by the canal on German Lake, and off shore on Lake Francis at the west boat landing.

MONTEVIDEO FISHING REPORT
Lake Lac qui Parle should best for the walleye opener. The Minnesota River, between Lac qui Parle and Granite Falls, continues to produce catfish on nightcrawlers and cutbait.

ORTONVILLE FISHING REPORT
On Big Stone Lake, anglers are catching crappies at night using a leech and bobber from the docks. Fishing action is expected to really improve by this weekend.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD FISHING REPORT
The area crappie bite is improving, with fish hitting flu flus, waxworms and crappies minnows in the shallows.

ANNANDALE FISHING REPORT
The bays of Clearwater Lake have been good for crappies. Some of the bays to check out include Greenshed, Horseshoe, McBrides and Osterbee’s.

EDEN VALLEY FISHING REPORT
Anglers are taking a few crappies and sunfish off the culverts and in the shallows of Koronis, Eden and the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes. For the most fish, try crappie minnows or waxworms on dark-colored jigs.

WAYZATA FISHING REPORT
On Lake Minnetonka, fishing is picking up with this week’s warm temperatures. Look to the smaller bays holding the warmest water for the most fish. The best approach has been a small presentation worked in 5-8 feet of water at the standing weeds. For sunnies, try an ice jig and waxworm, and for crappies, use a jig and minnow combination.

CHISAGO CITY FISHING REPORT
Fish are expected to move back into the bays with the recent warm temperatures.

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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH FISHING REPORT
On Lake Superior, a few loopers and steelhead are being caught along the North Shore. The Brule River has been good for browns and steelhead–the best approach has been a nymph or stonefly. Loopers are being taken on flies, looper bugs, spawn sacs and crawlers. Trolling for trout and salmon has been good along the South Shore. Area lakes are producing crappies in 10-12 feet of water. For the most fish, use a slow, small presentation. And a few smelt and suckers can still be found in the rivers.

KABETOGAMA FISHING REPORT
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, few anglers ventured out last week due to continued cold temperatures. While the crappies remain hard-to-find in the deeper waters, the northern pike on Lake Namakan were easy to find. Warmer temperatures are in the forecast for later this week which should improve conditions for May 14th opener.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS FISHING REPORT
The northern pike season is open on the border waters of the Rainy River. All fish between 30-40 inches must be returned immediately, and one fish over 40 inches can be in possesion. The lake sturgeon season remains open through May 7, and reports have been good.

GRAND RAPIDS FISHING REPORT
Anglers are reporting decent crappie action on Ice and Hale lakes, and in Pooles Bay on Lake Pokegama. Fishing is expected to be good later this week as temperatures rise.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE FISHING REPORT
Sturgeon anglers have been forming flotillas on the Rainy River in search of a trophy-sized fish–reports indicate that sturgeon action has been very good. The walleye season opener is this Saturday, May 14. During the next two weeks the walleye will be spawning in all of the feeder streams leading to Lake of the Woods. The northern pike season is continuous on Lake of the Woods and in the Rainy River–hit the reed beds, feeder streams to the Rainy River, and Baudette Bay for the most fish. Limits of large jumbo perch are also being reported, especially at the Northwest Angle and Island area.

BLACKDUCK FISHING REPORT
A few crappies are being pulled from Upper Red Lake. Smaller area lakes, such as Gilstad, are producing greater numbers. Warmer temperatures should improve the bite considerably.

BEMIDJI FISHING REPORT
This week’s warm up should improve crappie action considerably. For the most fish, hit the bulrushes and bays on the smaller area lakes in 2-3 feet of water. A few suckers can still be found in the deeper pools.

BENA FISHING REPORT
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleye are expected to be in their typical locations by the upcoming opener. Just some of places to check include the Third River out to Stony Point, Bowen’s Flats, the Dishes, Sugar Point and Musky Bay. Try a fireball jig and smaller shiner for the most fish. During last year’s opener, the walleye would only react to 1/16-ounce jigs and small chubs–be sure to use a small and slow presentation. Also, check out some of the other area lakes and rivers with darker waters, such as Round Lake, Bowstring Lake, and the Mississippi River.

WALKER FISHING REPORT
Crappie action is picking up on Leech Lake. Some anglers are also searching for jumbo perch. This week’s warm-up should greatly improve fishing conditions.

PARK RAPIDS FISHING REPORT
Early this week, anglers reported numbers of bluegills on Long Lake in roughly 4-6 feet of water, with ice flies and waxworms working best. Trout action has been consistent on the Straight River. For the most fish, use nightcrawlers. And crappie action should improve by this weekend with the warmer temperatures.

PELICAN RAPIDS FISHING REPORT
The warm-up should lead to good crappie action by this weekend–for the most fish, hit the shallows of Lida, Prairie and Mud lakes.

BATTLE LAKE FISHING REPORT
Anglers expect good fishing action by this weekend on South Turtle, Clitheral and Battle lakes. The best approach should be a waxworm or nightcrawler worked in the shallows.

ALEXANDRIA FISHING REPORT
Crappie action has been best on Miltona, Darling and Carlos lakes, with fish hitting small plastic jigs, road runner jigs, taser tails, powerbait, gulps, and Bait in a Bottle.

STARBUCK FISHING REPORT
On Lake Minnewaska, try a jig and minnow off the docks at the Starbuck Marina for numbers of crappies. The Fish Hatchery, along the Glenwood end, should also be good for crappies.

BRAINERD FISHING REPORT
Crappies are expected to move back into the shallows by this weekend. Search for these shallow water crappies in the mud bottomed areas of the backwaters or small bays where temperatures will be first to rise.

NISSWA FISHING REPORT
Crappies can be found in both the shallows and 5-10 foot depths. Some of the better locations include Margaret, Upper Gull, North Long and Hubert lakes. The backwaters and smaller bays of Pelican Lake and Whitefish are also producing crappies. Anglers report that pearl white, smoke or blue ice puddle jumpers are the best approach. Many anglers have also started to use crappie minnows. Sunfish continue to provide decent action and are hitting waxworms and small leeches. Shore anglers are catching a mix of sunnies and crappies at the Bar Harbor Docks.

ISLE FISHING REPORT
On Lake Mille Lacs, the bays along the south end are producing a few crappies and perch.