Have a Great Opener & Stay Safe!

For this weekend’s fishing opener, the Hot Spot should be any dark, shallow bay. Try a jig and minnow combination, using a slow presentation, for the majority of walleye.

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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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH FISHING REPORT
On Lake Superior, fishing has been excellent, with numbers of cohos and chinooks taken on stickbaits. Salmon can be found along the shore and at the point. Brook trout fishing continues to improve as temperatures rise in area rivers. For panfish, try small bait such as waxworms, bugs, and small crappie minnows on Nichols, Caribou, Grand, Fish, Island and Elora lakes–these fish are just starting to spawn in the shallow bays. For crappies, hit Headquarters, Elora, Island, Grand and Fish lakes using a small, slow presentation in the shallows. And, for this weekend’s fishing opener, hit Island and Fish lakes, as well as the St. Louis River and St. Louis Bay for walleye action. Try a jig and minnow combination in less than 10 feet of water for numbers of walleye.

KABETOGAMA FISHING REPORT
Fishing is expected to be good on Kabetogama and Namakan lakes during this weekend’s fishing opener. Water levels are slightly above average and water temperatures are in the mid-60’s, and walleyes should be easy to find as long as weather patterns don’t change dramatically. The lakes should also have an abundance of northern pike.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS FISHING REPORT
The Minnesota DNR Fisheries predicts that walleye fishing on Rainy Lake should remain excellent throughout 2005. Border water lakes should remain cool during the first few weeks of the season, and anglers should consider working the shallows in search of post-spawn walleyes. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow combination, and switch to a jig and leech as water temperatures warm. If action is slow, try a few different presentations and locations. Trophy class northern pike are also plentiful–expect to find numbers of fish in the shallows using flashy lures.

GRAND RAPIDS FISHING REPORT
If the weather stays stable, the fishing opener should be good. Splithand and Bowstring lakes are favorites this time of year–try a jig and shiner for the most fish.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE FISHING REPORT
On Lake of the Woods, anglers are looking forward to the fishing opener this Saturday. Please remember that the aggregate limit of walleye and sauger is six, with no more than four walleye. Only one walleye over 28 inches is allowed, and the slot is 19.5-28 inches. Walleyes will be spawning in the feeder streams leading to Lake of the Woods during the next two weeks. Northerns can be found along the reed beds and in the feeder streams to the Rainy River. Baudette Bay has been a hot spot for northern pike. Many anglers report numbers of jumbo perch, especially at the Northwest Angle and Islands area.

BLACKDUCK FISHING REPORT
Crappies and bluegills are biting on most of the smaller area lakes. Water temperatures are rising nicely for this weekend’s fishing opener. Expect good early season fishing in the shallows of Blackduck, Gull and Pimushe lakes. And, anglers reported great crappie action last weekend on Red Lake, especially on jig and minnow combinations worked in 4-6 feet of water.

BEMIDJI FISHING REPORT
Crappie action has been great on Cass Lake. Good early season walleye lakes are usually Plantagenet, Bemidji, Kitchi and Cass. Hit the warm, shallow waters during lowlight hours, and move into deeper waters during the day.

BENA FISHING REPORT
On Lake Winnibigoshish, water temperatures are rising and anglers predict a great opener. Shiners are moving into the shallows which should help anglers to locate walleyes–try a fireball jig tipped with a shiner or small chub for the most fish. Hit the Gap area between Big Cutfoot Sioux and Big Winnie since walleyes often return here after spawning in Little Cutfoot Sioux. Also check out the Third River area for numbers of fish.

WALKER FISHING REPORT
On Leech Lake, the fishing opener is expected to be good due to low water levels causing temperatures to rise. Check out the shallow points and bars, as well as the weed edges of the northern bays for the most fish. Try a green or orange jig tipped with a minnow this weekend.

HACKENSACK FISHING REPORT
Some very nice crappies, weighing 2 pounds, are being reported. The best approach has been a jig and crappie minnow in 4-8 feet of water, especially on Child and Birch lakes. The bass are running the shorelines, and although it isn’t bass opener, it is a good sign that the walleyes and northern pike will be right behind for this weekend’s opener.

PARK RAPIDS FISHING REPORT
Crappie action is picking up in the shallows of Big Mantrap Lake. Bluegills action is beginning to improve. Anglers expect this weekend’s opener to be excellent. The walleye have been spawning for the past three weeks, and should be hungry. Shiners typically work best, but bring along some leeches and crawlers as well. Try 12-14 feet of water during the day, and 4-5 foot depths during lowlight hours. For the most fish, check out the Crow Wing Chain, Eagle Island and Potato lakes.

PELICAN RAPIDS FISHING REPORT
Lake Lida is typically a good spot for walleye on opening day. The best approach should be a shiner minnow in the shallows.

BATTLE LAKE FISHING REPORT
Crappies are biting on the south shore of West Battle Lake–hit the reeds found in 3-4 feet of water for the most fish. Crappies can also be found on Stalker and Elbow lakes, and in the southwest bay of Clitheral Lake. Fathead minnows seem to be working best. The opener should be good for walleye on Ottertail and Silver lakes. For the largest fish, hit West Battle and Clitheral lakes. The best approach should be a shiner or fathead worked in 18-26 feet of water.

ALEXANDRIA FISHING REPORT
Crappies are hitting small jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms on Ida and Miltona lakes in the warm, shallow bays. The walleye are expected to be in 8-15 feet of water this weekend, especially in the shallow lakes such as Reno, Mary, Stowe, Oscar and Andrew. For the most fish, try a small jig tipped with fathead minnow, leech or crawler.

STARBUCK FISHING REPORT
On Lake Minnewaska, crappies and sunnies remain active despite the cold temperatures. This weekend, walleye action should be best on Emily, Pomme de Terre and Long lakes. Try a rattling rap or shad raps in the shallows for the most fish.

BRAINERD FISHING REPORT
Crappie action has been good on most area lakes in 3-5 feet of water in the sheltered, backwater areas. Small, chartreuse or white jigs tipped with a minnow or plastics have been the most productive approach. For this weekend’s opener, look for walleyes at the first shoreline break, on the sand, just off the cabbage weeds, and near the points that are connected to shore. Try pitching a jig into the weeds, or float a jig tipped with a minnow or leech on a slip float in the weed pockets. Use a slow presentation if the weather is cold and rainy prior to the opener.

CROSSLAKE FISHING REPORT
Anglers are pulling crappies from the shallow bays on live bait. Sunfish are beginning to move into the shallows. This weekend, look for walleyes in 12-20 feet of water, especially on Whitefish, Crosslake and Pelican lakes. The best approach should be a jig tipped with a minnow or leech worked along the flats and weedlines. For northern pike, try a spinnerbait close to shore.

NISSWA FISHING REPORT
Gull and Round lakes should be good spots for this weekend’s opener. For the most fish, hit the shallow breaklines using a lindy rig or jig tipped with a shiner minnow.

ISLE FISHING REPORT
On Lake Mille Lacs, anglers expect a strong opener. Some of the better locations typically include Vineland Bay, Big Point and the North End Sand. Work these areas using a simple presentation in 8-15 feet of water–a leech or minnow on a 6-foot snell with a small floater is usually a good choice. Towards dark, throw a slip bobber, jig and leech combination on your favorite reef.

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TWIN CITIES FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD FISHING REPORT
Crappies are biting on Little Rock Lake, and at the bayou on the Brigg’s Lake Chain. This weekend, hit the shallows on Little Rock Lake for walleyes.

RICHMOND FISHING REPORT
For this weekend’s opener, try Horseshoe, Schneider or Becker lakes for a mixture of walleyes, crappies and sunfish. Anglers may also want to consider Rice Lake. For walleyes, start in 12-15 feet of water using a leech or shiner. Pearl and Grand lakes are producing a few large crappies. Try a dark flu flu jig tipped with a crappie minnow for the majority of crappies–waxworms have been best for the panfish.

EDEN VALLEY FISHING REPORT
Cedar Island Lake is producing sunnies and crappies in 2-6 feet of water. Clear Lake, near Watkins, is giving up crappies in depths of 6 feet. This weekend, hit Long and Koronis lakes for walleyes. During lowlight hours, work the shallows, and move deeper during the day.

ANNANDALE FISHING REPORT
For crappies and sunnies, try Pleasant, Clearwater or Cedar lakes using flu flu jigs tipped with a minnow or waxworm. For the opener, hit 15-18 foot depths on Clearwater, Sylvia or Cedar lakes for walleyes.

WACONIA FISHING REPORT
The crappie bite has been excellent on Lake Waconia. Local anglers expect this weekend’s opener to be very good. Look for shallow water walleyes along the north shore by Peterson’s Creek, the east shore by the Clay Banks, and along the south shoreline off the Beach. Fish next to shore and move out deeper depending on the wind and time of day. Water clarity is good, so you may have to move to deeper water during the day. Northern pike are plentiful and should be easy to catch due to minimal weed cover. For the most fish, use a sucker minnows, shiner minnow or spoon.

WAYZATA FISHING REPORT
On Lake Minnetonka, crappies and sunnies can be found in 6-15 feet of water. Good walleye spots for this weekend should be Brown’s and Wayzata Bays. Try minnows first, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other baits as well. And look for northern pike at the 12-14 foot weedlines, and in the channels.

CHISAGO CITY FISHING REPORT
This weekend, look for walleyes in 6-12 feet of water at the sand. Chisago, South Center, North Center and South Lindstrom lakes are generally good locations. For the most fish, try a leech under a bobber.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

MANKATO FISHING REPORT
Crappies have moved into deeper waters. For the most fish, hit the Sawmill on Jefferson Lake. On Lake Washington, work 10-12 feet of water at the Point and at Baker’s Bay. Crappies can be found in 18-23 foot depths on Lake Madison. As the water warms, move to the narrows. And Madison and Washington lakes are generally good locations for walleyes on opening weekend.

MONTEVIDEO FISHING REPORT
Walleye action should be good on the north end of Lake Lac qui Parle for the opener this weekend. Also try fishing the rock piles, and the shallows at Clay Banks using leeches and minnows. And catfish continue to be pulled from the Minnesota River.

ORTONVILLE FISHING REPORT
On Big Stone Lake, the fishing tournament last weekend resulted in some nice catches. For the most fish, try trolling the basin of the lake on the south end using with plugs or spinners in 10-11 feet of water. Also check out 6-7 foot depths along the far north end of the lake using leeches. During evening hours and just after dark have been best, especially when fishing close to shore. The best approach has been either a leech and lindy rig, or bobber fishing with a leech. Another hot spot has been the Meadowbrook area. Most walleyes are averaging 17- to 20-inches, with some larger fish being taken as well.