[Northeast] [Northwest] [Twin Cities] [Central] [Southern]
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls – Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Anglers are expecting an excellent walleye opener for Rainy Lake and the Rainy River. The ice has been off these waters for several weeks, and the water temperatures have continually risen. The walleye should still be somewhat shallow, foraging for baitfish. Try slowly-trolling a minnow and spinner near the rocky shorelines and weed beds this weekend and through early June. After that, the walleye will move to deeper water and structure due to the increase in water temperature and daylight. Rainy River anglers have been pulling in sturgeon during the spring catch-and-release season which will close next week. The tag season will begin on June 30, 2017. The sturgeon fishing has been great for anglers fishing downstream from a deep hole with several worms and enough weight to keep the presentation on the bottom. Generally, sturgeon will venture downstream from the deeper holes to scour the river bed for food. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Kabetogama
Lake Kabetogama is ready for a great Fishing Opener this weekend! The rock markers and navigational markers are in, and the water levels and temperatures are nearly normal for this time of year so the fish should be very cooperative! And the forecast for the weekend is excellent, with temperatures in the high 50s and mid-60s, and partly cloudy to sunny conditions. Another positive indicator is that the previous DNR netting results show very healthy walleye, northern pike and bass populations, with good numbers of perch and sauger as well. Minnows will be a must this weekend, but you may want to bring along a few leeches as back-up. Die hard night crawler anglers will want to use a short rig with a smaller spinner. As usual over opening weekend, go shallow using a jig head or slip sinker combination. Shoreline and dock fishing is usually at its best early in the season. Such angling should be done with a slip bobber fished stationary or retrieved slowly. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com
Ely
The much anticipated walleye opener is just about here! Many Minnesota anglers rely on a jig and minnow presentation on opening weekend since this is a very effective tactic this time of year. Tailor your jig size to the depth you will be fishing. A ¼-ounce is fine for water less than twenty feet deep; use a slightly heavier jig when you drop below twenty feet. Set your jig near the bottom, not on the bottom, and don’t let out too much line so you don’t snag more rocks than fish. Another very productive method this time of year is to troll or cast a crankbait. Fish really seem to key in on these larger profile baits as they are eager to put on some weight following the rigors of spawning. The new super lines and braids are really effective when it comes to long-lining crankbaits since there is virtually no stretch when setting the hook. Add a fluorocarbon leader of at least three to six feet the end and you’re set! Another tried and true method is using bottom bouncers with a spinner. Rig these with either a single hook for minnows, or a two or three hook setup for crawlers. Either way, they are probably the most effective way professional and neophyte anglers score big. Before heading out, take some time to check your wheel bearings, tires and running lights, and filling your tank with new gas. Always have your drain plugs out of your boat and live wells until you are at the launch ramp, and make sure you have a life jacket for everyone. To learn more about watercraft safety, required equipment and licensing, check out the Minnesota Boating Guide. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Grand Rapids
Anglers are gearing up for a great Minnesota Fishing Opener! The forecast for this weekend calls for warm and sunny conditions so the walleye should be active and biting. Bring along jigs in an assortment colors and sizes, as well as spot tail shiners, rainbow chubs or fathead minnows. One-eighth ounce jigs are generally the best option. If the walleye are in depths greater than 15 feet, try switching to a one-quarter ounce jig. Many times slip sinker rigs will produce as well. Whether you use a shiner or a leech, make sure your leader length is 40- to 50-inches to allow the minnow to swim. Change baits often to offer the most natural presentation. Gravel points related to shorelines will be the best locations on most lakes in Itasca County. Anyone wanting to fish a river over the opener will find excellent options in the Grand Rapids area as the Mississippi and Bigfork rivers are full of walleye. Whether you drift or anchor, pay close attention to the holes and turns in the river. Also look for current breaks and reversals in flow that often attract walleye looking for forage in slower current areas. Rivers are great options for anglers without a boat since shore fishing can be excellent early in the season. Before heading out, plan ahead and gather all fishing necessities such as life jackets, sunscreen and a fishing license. It would also be wise to inspect your fishing poles, fishing line, trailer lights, and trailer bearings. And make a point of stopping at a local bait shop to learn where and when the fish are biting, and what presentations are working best. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
During this weekend’s Minnesota Fishing Opener, Lake of the Woods anglers will want to use a 1/4- to 3/4-ounce jig with a shiner or two. Another good option is to pull a crankbait through the shallows. While the water remains cold, this can be the key to getting bites on some outings. Northern pike activity is on the increase, and sturgeon fishing is on fire now that warmer temperatures have arrived. Please remember that the sturgeon catch-and-release season runs through May 15. Most walleye in the Rainy River are post-spawn, and some have already made their way back into the lake. There have been many reports of sturgeon anglers catching nice-sized walleye. Anglers traditionally catch good numbers of walleye on the Rainy River and at Four Mile Bay this time of year. Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing should be excellent this weekend, especially at the “neck-down” areas and points. Anglers should use a chartreuse, pink, gold or glow colored jig tipped with a minnow for the most action. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bemidji
This is the weekend anglers have been waiting for: the 2017 Minnesota Fishing Opener! With the early spring, the walleye should be hungry and ready to bite! Some of the fish will already be moving out to their summer haunts so don’t be afraid to fish some of the mid-lake structure areas, as well as the shallows. Start on the shoreline breaks and emerging weedlines, and if the fish won’t bite, move to the mid-lake areas. A jig tipped with a minnow or leech is ideal early in the season. The water temperatures are in the low- to mid-50s so work the bait fairly slowly. Northern pike should be hitting hit just about everything, especially along the emerging weedlines. The bass season opens this weekend but it is catch-and-release only for the first two weeks. For fun bass action, use spinnerbaits in the shallows. Some of the best crappie and bluegill fishing also occurs early in the season. A small jig tipped with a small minnow, waxworm or plastic tail will almost certainly produce fish in the shallows. Bring the kids and create memories they’ll never forget! 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
Walker – Leech Lake
We are counting down to the most anticipated day of the season for walleye anglers, fishing opener 2017! Here are some basic tips to help you keep your rods bent, and your landing-net wet this coming weekend on Leech Lake. Use a light 1/8-ounce jig with a shiner minnow during the day on opening day. A heavier jig and plastic combo can be fished a little more aggressively to search-out the active walleye. At night, try trolling with shallow-diving minnow baits since this presentation can result in large numbers of walleye, along with some trophy-sized fish. Concentrate on main-lake shoreline flats or points. Most walleye generally come from 6-15 feet of water early in the season. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com
Park Rapids
The panfish are on fire on just about every body of water. Large bluegills and crappies are feeding heavily and getting ready to spawn. Water temperatures are hovering around 56- to 59-degrees in most of the shallow areas, and in the low to mid-50s on the main lakes. Anglers will want to use small plastics, waxworms or crappie minnows under a small float in the shallows, especially near some kind of cover. Also use a light bobber with a slow “lob” to reduce bobber splash which can spook shallow fish. Try to sneak into the shallows with the trolling motor or idle in slowly, and avoid having the sun at your back so you cast a shadow onto the fish. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Detroit Lakes
The weather in the Detroit Lakes area over opening weekend looks like it will be the best it’s been in years! Walleye are about a month post-spawn, and crappies and sunfish are just setting up their beds. Water temperatures are in the mid-50s to low 60s, and warming each day. The warmer lakes, especially lakes with river inlets and outlets, are teeming with shiners. Expect the shiner bite to play a major role in locating early season walleye. Start shallow, such as depths of 5-8 feet, and work deeper to the first breaks off the shorelines to connect with active fish. The weed areas should also be holding active fish. As waters warm further, bring out the leeches and crawlers, as well as plastics and artificial baits. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Many of the shallow bays in lakes throughout Otter Tail Lakes Country have warmed to a point where the lily pads are thick and the fish have migrated out to deeper waters in search of spawning grounds. Wherever you find sunnies and crappies, expect them to bite. Soft plastics are generally best. Please be selective, and release the larger crappies and sunfish so they can continue to reproduce. And please check for weeds and any critters that might be hanging from your boat or trailer, and drain all of the water from your boat hull and live wells. Have a wonderful weekend! 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Pine River Area
Panfish are extremely active in waters throughout the Pine River area. Anglers will want to fish the shallow bays and inlets after warm days now that water temperatures are in the 50s. For the most action, use a small 1/32- to 1/16-ounce jig tipped with a minnow or plastic under a bobber. The walleye and northern pike should be on the first drop-off from the shoreline during this weekend’s opener. Look for walleye to be active in 8-20 feet of water. The best approach should be trolling the shallows after sunset, or pulling crankbaits or shallow-running stickbaits along the tops of the drop-offs. For northern pike, pitch or troll crankbaits, or fish a jig and minnow presentation at the weedlines in 8-15 feet of water. With weekend temperatures in the mid- to high 60s, this should be a spectacular fishing opener! 800-728-6926; www.pinerivermn.com
St. Cloud
The 70th Annual Minnesota’s Governor’s Fishing Opener will be held on the Mississippi River. The public is invited to join 5,000+ area residents and visitors during the free Minnesota Fishing Opener Community Picnic in downtown St. Cloud at Lake George from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, May 12. The picnic will feature an array of activities, exhibitors, live entertainment by GB Leighton, a local craft beer gardens, free meal for all attendees, and scheduled remarks by Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith. 320-251-4170; www.granitecountry.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
The reef markers and docks are in on Lake Mille Lacs. The surface water temperatures are currently in the low to mid-50s. For the most walleye action, drop a leech under a slip bobber or try rigging with leeches. During morning and evening hours, hit the shallower reefs; during daylight hours, hit the deeper waters. Anglers expect a great walleye bite so plastic baits may also work well. Bass anglers will want to use plastics at the shallow water rocks. If the bass aren’t biting, move to the edges of the rocks in slightly deeper water. Northern pike should be very active, slamming sucker minnows and trolled spinnerbaits in the bays. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Willmar
The Minnesota Fishing Opener this weekend should be excellent in the Willmar Lakes Area! The panfish are biting well, and the weather is expected to be nearly perfect. Shore anglers will want to hit Willmar, Foot, Eagle or Green lakes for some great panfish action. For the best crappie action, however, check Big Kandiyohi, Nest, and Diamond lakes. The surface water temperatures should be at roughly 60-degrees this weekend which should cause to the fish to bite even more! 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Hastings – St. Croix & Mississippi Rivers
The Mississippi and St. Croix rivers in the Hastings area provide excellent fishing opportunities, and often receive less pressure than the metro area lakes. The St. Croix River has been open for walleye and sauger fishing for nearly two weeks, with fish caught throughout the day by anglers rigging fathead minnows and nightcrawlers. The best approach for lots of keeper-sized fish has been to use a bow-mount trolling motor to drag a bait rig at .5- to .7-mph through 18-24 feet of water. Electronics are extremely helpful since you can easily mark fish over the sandy and rocky bottoms of the rivers. Expect to also pick up some sunnies, crappies, perch, white bass, and sheepshead. The water levels are up a bit, so travel cautiously and watch for floating debris. The surface water temperatures currently range from 52-degrees in the morning to almost 60-degrees in the late afternoon. 651-437-6775; www.visithastingsmn.org
White Bear Area Lakes
Crappies and sunnies are very active in 4-8 feet of water on White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. The most successful anglers are using crappie minnows and wax worms with flip bobbers and mini might jigs. This weekend, look for northern pike and bass in depths of 8-12 feet of water. 651/653-5122; www.ExploreWhiteBear.org
Lake Waconia
It’s been over 2 months since the ice officially left Lake Waconia, and water temperatures are now in the upper 50s (mornings) to the low 60s (afternoons). With air temps in the 70s this weekend, lake water temperatures should remain above 60-degrees which is rare for opening weekend. With the higher water temperatures and earlier than usual weed growth, the typical fishing opener tactics may not work. It’s never a bad idea to try areas like the Rock Dock, Carp Trap (Peterson’s Creek on the northwest side of the lake), and Harm’s Point. But, if these aren’t producing walleye, consider the breaks off the reefs such as North, Kegs, Red’s or Anderson’s. Slip bobber fishing should work well, but if you would rather be active, try jigging with a fathead or leech. Crappie fishing has been good for several weeks, with anglers taking lots of 10- to 11-inch fish, and some large fish. Depths of 12-15 feet of water in Waconia Bay have been best. As water temperatures rise, the shallow water bite should pick up, with crappies likely found around the reeds on the northwest side of the lake, at Pillsbury Reef/Old Camp Manakiki area, and the shallow weeds on the north end and around the marinas. The sunfish bite has been better than usual, and also on the increase. 952/442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org
Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro – Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Wednesday, May 3, area streams and rivers were mostly clear with a normal water flow. There were reports of caddis on many of the streams. The annual Preston Trout Days celebration will be held May 19-21, with a wide array of entertainment including the Trout Days Grand Parade, street vendors, fishing contest for adults, street dance, car show, live music, performances, family activities, tractor pull, fish printing on T-shirts, and the 9-Hole Fishing Challenge at the National Trout Center. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
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