Minnesota Fishing Report – 6/3/05

By
Dave G.
– June 3, 2005Posted in: Fish & Hunt

The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the GLENWOOD/STARBUCK vicinity, where good numbers of walleyes, bass and panfish are being taken from Mary, Long and Minnewaska lakes. To check out lodging in the area, visit: http://www.LakePlace.com

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 REPORT

DULUTH
On Lake Superior, the South Shore and Park Point areas have been good for a mixed bag of walleyes, salmon and lake trout — for the most fish, try a pink or purple spoon or crankbait. Good walleye action is being reported on the St. Louis River, with fish found by the Bong Bridge. The best presentations are jigs worked off the bottom, and crankabits worked off the edge of the drop.

KABETOGAMA
On Lake Kabetogama, anglers working the west end of the lake last weekend pulled walleyes from 5 feet of water during evening hours, and from 20-28 foot depths during the day. Slip bobbers and minnows worked best in the shallows, and jig and minnow combinations were best at 20-foot depths. Mid-Kabetogama areas, such as the Martin Islands, Nashata Point, the Headlight and Chase, produced walleyes at 30-38 foot depths on jigs and minnows. Along the eastern edge of Lake Kabetogama and along the western edge of Lake Namakan, anglers had success at the deep water reefs and rock pile ledges in 35-45 feet of water. Anglers reported taking many perch and sauger along with the walleyes. Several northern pike measuring over 36-inches, as well as a couple fish over 40-inches, were also reported. Smallmouth bass action is improving, with leeches and lures both attracting fish near the rock piles.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
Recent rain has boosted all lake and river levels, and the walleyes are biting. Try a worm on a lindy rig, or a jig and minnow for the most fish. Reports indicate many large slot catch-and-release walleyes and northern pike. Bass fishing has been phenomenal on the Rainy River, with numbers of walleyes, sauger and northern pike also being reported. Area public accesses are all in good shape, and parking has not been a problem.

GRAND RAPIDS
Largemouth bass were aggressive most of the weekend, with several catch-and-release fish weighing 4- and 6-pounds reported. The best approach was a spinner or worm. The Mississippi River, Long Lake, Spider Lake and Rice Lake all produced bass, although some of these fish remain on their beds. Lake Pokegama is giving up some nice crappies in the shallows. Bluegill action is good by the Power Plant outlet, with small leeches and worms working best. The walleye bite is improving daily — good reports are coming from Bowstring, Cutfoot, Round and Splithand lakes. The best approach continues to be a jig tipped with a small shiner in the shallows.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, fishing remains excellent along the South Shore and around the Northwest Angle and Islands area. The South Shore’s Four Mile Bay, Lighthouse Gap, Pine Island and Zippel Bay are giving up walleyes to anglers drifting a jig and spinner tipped with a live minnow. Hammered gold is the color of choice, especially when water clarity is low. The Northwest Angle and Islands area has been great for some really large walleyes, with many 24- to 26-inch catch-and-release fish being reported. Anglers are having success using several presentations, including jigs, bottom bouncers and spinner rigs, tipped with either leeches, minnows or crawlers. Drifting or trolling slowly in 18-30 feet of water has been best. The Rainy River has also been productive, however recent rains have increased water levels and anglers should watch for large debris floating down the river. Check out Clementson Bay for large smallmouth bass, nice-sized northern pike and redhorse suckers.

BLACKDUCK
Walleyes are being pulled from 14-20 feet of water on Blackduck Lake during evening hours. Try a jig and minnow combination, slip bobber and leech, or a lindy rig and crawler for the most fish. Panfish are moving into the shallows of North and South Twin lakes. Crappie minnows and panfish leeches are taking the most fish. And just to the northwest, Red Lake continues to produce numbers of crappies, as well as large catch-and-release northern pike.

BEMIDJI
Walleyes can be found in the shallows of lakes Bemidji and Plantagenet. For muskie action this weekend, also hit the shallows of these lakes.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the walleye action has been inconsistent, however good numbers are coming from various locations throughout the lake, depending on the wind and weather. Last weekend, walleyes could be found 5-22 feet of water using a fireball jig tipped with shiner, however leeches and crawlers also produced a few fish when slowly trolling a slip sinker rig and 4-foot snell. Some of the more productive areas have been Mallard Point, The Dishes, Sugar Point, and the North Shore. This week’s warmer temperatures are expected to lead to more predictable fishing patterns. Northern pike action has been slow, however action should soon improve, with fish moving into the newly formed weedbeds. Crappies and bluegills have been hard to find, but are also showing signs of moving into their spawning areas on Little and Big Cutfoot Sioux lakes. The key for all species of fish is to stay mobile, and change jig colors and presentations until you find what works.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, northern pike are very active, and walleye activity is improving each day as the water warms. And bass action has been excellent recently.

HACKENSACK
Walleyes are being pulled from 8-26 foot depths on Ten Mile Lake on lindy rigs tipped with a leech or crawler. Bass action has been great on Birch Lake using spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Panfish are hitting waxworms and nightcrawlers on most smaller area lakes.

PARK RAPIDS
Walleye action has been best using a jig and fathead combination in 16 feet of water on Fishhook Lake. Northern pike are active on the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes in 8-11 foot depths, with minnows working best. Crappies can be found throughout the area — for the most fish, hit the shallows of Big Mantrap Lake. For numbers of bass, work the shallows using plastic worms.

DETROIT LAKES
Last weekend’s bass opener was excellent. Most of the larger fish were pulled from 5-8 feet of water just off the emerging weeds on a 1/32-ounce lindy max gap jig tipped with a 3-inch tube. Spinnerbaits were also working well in the shallows. Crappies and bluegills are very active at the emerging reeds and weeds, with numbers of panfish taken on little nipper and lindy munchie plastic tails. Walleye action continues to improve. Some of the lakes to check out include Prairie, Crystal, Lizzie, Detroit, Floyd, Sallie, Melissa, Big Cormorant, Round, Island, Cotton and Big Toad.

BATTLE LAKE
Walleyes are starting to bite in 20-22 feet of water, with minnows working best. Some anglers are also having success using leeches. Northern pike are active on most area lakes. For sunnies and crappies, hit 10-12 feet of water using small leeches at the weeds, especially on South Turtle and Clitheral lakes. Bass are hitting topwater baits at the weeds, with nice-sized bass coming from Stalker and Blanche lakes last weekend.

ALEXANDRIA
Fishing has improved with the warmer temperatures. Walleyes can be found in 7-10 feet of water on most area lakes. Crappies are active in 4-6 foot depths in the bulrushes of the smaller area lakes. Northern pike are hitting at the 8- to 10-foot weedlines. And try crankbaits or spinners at the weedlines for some great bass action.

STARBUCK
Mary and Long lakes are giving up good numbers of walleyes on shiners and fatheads trolled with spinners through 12-15 feet of water. The west end of Lake Emily is producing fish on a slip sinker and shiner set on the bottom near shore. On Lake Minnewaska, walleyes are in slightly deeper waters. For the most fish, hit depths of 18-20 feet at the points using spinners with leeches or fatheads. Panfish are active at the Starbuck Marina and Fish Hatchery. During last weekend’s bass opener, largemouth bass up to 5-pounds, and smallmouth bass up to 4-pounds, were reported. The best approach was a large jumbo leech under a bobber worked from shore.

BRAINERD
While the daytime walleye bite has been slow, the evening walleye bite has been very good. Anglers are having success trolling the shallows just after dark on Gull, Whitefish and Pelican lakes. The best approach has been a floating rapala, size 13 to 18, worked in depths of 7-12 feet of water. The best colors have been black/gold and blue/silver. Daytime anglers also managed to pull a few fish from 18-26 foot depths on jigs and lindy rigs tipped with leeches or minnows worked very slowly. Crappie fishing has been the best bet during the day. Anglers are having the most success on calm days, with a small jig tipped with a white grub tail worked at the shallow pencil reeds taking fish from most area lakes. Northern pike are active along the weedlines and hitting spinner rigs with pike minnows. For bass, hit the shallows using spinnerbaits or crankbaits worked near the surface. Crappies and panfish are hitting small jigs tipped with minnows or worms in 3-6 feet of water and along the emerging weedlines.

NISSWA
Walleyes have been most active at night, with fish hitting rapalas trolled in the shallows of most area lakes. During the day, a few smaller walleyes are being pulled from 16-24 feet of water by dragging lindy rigs tipped with shiners or leeches. Bass action has been excellent, with fish hitting small, white spinnerbaits in 3-6 foot depths. Area guides are reporting numbers of large, black crappies. These fish are now completing their spawn and leaving the shallows. And look for the larger sunfish at the pencil reed beds — for the most fish, try a small hook under a bobber, with a worm or small leech.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleyes are becoming more active. The northeast corner remains best for daytime fishing — start in 15 feet of water, and work your way out deeper using a leech and floating jighead. Some anglers have also taken some fish from the mud. Towards evening, try a slip bobber, angle jig and leech set-up in 8-12 feet of water on the shallow rock reefs. This bite usually begins around 8:00-8:30 p.m. Some of the better reefs include Half Moon, Mazominee, Agate and Big Point. Vineland Bay is the best bet for northern pike. Numbers of bass were caught and released last weekend — please note that most bass remain on their beds.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORT

ST. CLOUD
Walleye action has been great on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes in 10-15 feet of water, with fishing hitting shiners, leeches, and crankbaits. And an 11.5-pound walleye came out of the Sauk River this week. The bass opener was excellent, especially on Grand and Pearl lakes, with many fish over 20-inches in length caught and released. Northern pike can be found in the shallows using sucker minnows and daredevils. Crappies and panfish remain in the shallow weeds, with panfish starting to spawn on Grand and Pearl lakes. For the most fish, try waxworms for the panfish, and crappie minnows on a flu flu jig in 10 feet of water for the crappies. Catfish are hitting nightcrawlers on the Horseshoe Chain. At Trout and Mud lakes near Clear Lake, smaller sunfish and a few trout are being caught. And anglers are pulling walleyes, smallmouth bass and crappies from the Mississippi River.

EDEN VALLEY
Walleyes are active on Rice Lake in the shallow weeds, and on Lake Koronis in slightly deeper depths. Leeches are working best, but fatheads and crawlers are also taking a few fish. Bass opener was good, with mostly smallies caught on Koronis and Rice lakes. Crappies and panfish remain at the shallow weeds on Lake Koronis. The best approach is a waxworm, or a crappie minnow on a flu flu jig.

ANNANDALE
Walleye anglers are having success using leeches in 15 feet of water, although some anglers continue to take fish on minnows. Northern pike action has been excellent, with fish hitting sucker minnows under bobbers off the drop-offs in roughly 10-15 feet of water. Bass are in the shallows hitting most presentations. Sunnies and crappies can be found in the shallow reeds, especially on the north end of Clearwater Lake. For sunfish, try waxworms, and for crappies, use crappie minnows on a flu flu.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, sunnies and crappies are hitting in Waconia Bay, and a mixed bag of sunnies, crappies and bass are being pulled from the Carp Trap. Bass can be found in the shallows, roughly 6 feet or less. Walleye action has been best during lowlight hours and late at night in 8-10 foot depths, just off the edges of the reefs. Check out Kegg’s Reef for a few fish. Northern pike are active around the beach area in 8-10 feet of water.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, last weekend’s bass opener was great, with fish in roughly 3-7 feet of water. The best approach was a tube, spinnerbait or jig, depending on the day. Walleyes have been most active during evening hours in depths of 14-17 feet, with leeches under slip bobbers working best. Some anglers are also having success trolling floating jigheads in 22-24 feet of water. Northern pike are in 3-5 feet of water, hitting brightly-colored spinnerbaits, and sucker minnows on a floating rig. For crappies, try depths of 3-5 feet at Black or Seton Bays using a small pink and white jig. Stay on the move until you locate fish. Sunnies are moving into the shallows, and hitting small teardrop jigs tipped with a waxworm. For the muskie opener this weekend, try throwing a white and chartreuse bucktail into the shallows of Minnetonka and Independence lakes.

CHISAGO CITY
The bass opener was excellent on Chisago and South Center lakes; try spinnerbaits abd plastics in the weeds and shallow water bays for the most fish. Walleyes are biting on Chisago Lake between the Dinnerbell and Rose Hill Resort, and on South Center Lake off Needle Point. During the day, hit 20 foot depths, and towards evening, move into 10 foot depths. Anglers are having succes using slip bobbers with a shiner or leech, and jig and minnow combinations. Northern pike are being taken while trolling or casting spinnerbaits into the weeds. Crappies and sunnies are biting in water up to 5 feet deep.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

MANKATO
Crappies are biting in 2-6 feet of water on Washington and Madison lakes. On Madison, head towards Buckmaster’s. Baker’s and Mud bays have been best on Washington. For sunnies, hit the area around the docks on Madison. Some smaller walleyes are being pulled from Crystal Lake on slip bobber rigs worked from shore.

MONTEVIDEO
Walleye fishing has been excellent on Lake Lac Qui Parle and the Minnesota River, with larger fish being caught and released. The best approach has been a jig and minnow combination worked along the shorelines and at the rockpiles. Large crappies are also being taken by walleye anglers.

ORTONVILLE
Big Stone Lake is producing walleyes along the south end of the lake during evening hours; try a leech under a bobber for the most fish. Artichoke Lake’s south end is giving up crappies on crappie minnows worked in 4-5 feet of water.


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About Dave G.

Co-Founder, LakePlace.com