Minnesota Lakes, Fishing and Minnesota Lake Homes, MN Fishing

Minnesota Lakes are famous for Outstanding Walleye, Northern Pike and Muskie Fishing. Find detailed information on Minnesota Fishing, Minnesota Lake Homes, Top Fishing Lakes, MN Fishing Resorts, Lake Property, Fishing Guides, Lake Maps, Boat Ramps and More

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Minnesota Fishing Lakes

The State of Minnesota is home to over 10,000 Lakes, so if you enjoy Fishing, Boating, and Water Sports, this is an excellent vacation destination. Minnesota is known for great Walleye Fishing, Northern Pike Fishing and Bass Fishing. With incredible Fishing Lakes like: Lake of the Woods, Lake Vermilion, Lake Mille Lacs and Leech Lake, you are sure to catch your fishing limit on these and most Minnesota Lakes. Make sure you spend some time at one of our many great Minnesota Resorts and Minnesota Campgrounds, which are perfect for both Fishing and Family vacations. There is also beautiful Minnesota Lake Property for sale throughout the State, so you can find your Dream Lake Home.

Minnesota Fishing Reports

Alexandria Lakes Area Fishing

With the water temperatures nearing the 60’s the fishing on Lake Miltona has greatly improved in the mornings, evenings, and after dark! Many anglers are reporting the best bite in depths of 12-14 feet of water when using shiner minnows on either a lindy rig or jig. Look for the deep cabbage beds and rocks where fish are attacking such presentations. Crappies and sunfish remain up in the shallows. For the most fish, use crappie minnows and nightcrawlers on small jigs under a bobber. The most productive colors have been chartreuse and orange.

Bemidji Lakes Area Fishing

The peak spring walleye bite is just getting started in most area lakes. Most walleye can be found along the windward shorelines, however changing winds and repeated cold fronts can disrupt feeding patterns and cause the fish to scatter. Most anglers are catching fish using jig and minnow combinations, however live bait rigs tipped with leeches or larger minnows have also produced walleye. Some anglers are starting to use crankbaits, which should become even more effective as water temperatures increase and summer patterns begin to develop. For the most fish, hit the shoreline breaks found in 6-12 feet of water, depending on the conditions of the day. More walleye will begin to disperse towards mid-lake structure as the insect hatches begin, which will draw more of the baitfish into deeper water, with the walleyes following right behind. The cool water temperatures have caused a delay in spawning for the bass, crappies and sunnies.

Brainerd Lakes Area Fishing

Lots of active fish being taken along the weedlines of Gull Lake in 12-20 feet of water. This is the time of year when walleyes will respond to a number of different presentations. While shiners have been best, redtails, leeches, and nightcrawlers are also working well when used with a lindy rig, jig, or floating jig. The bass season opened last weekend, and most of the bass were found in the shallow reed beds and bays, often along with the crappies and sunnies. Panfish are starting to spawn and are very active in the shallows. Puddle jumpers have been best for the crappies, and sunnies are attacking small leeches, waxworms, and small nightcrawlers.

Crane Lake Fishing

While walleye remain in the current, they are starting to move to the points and islands near their spawning areas. For the most fish, cast a jig and minnow combination into the windswept shorelines and work it slowly back. Crappies are soon to spawn - the best presentation has been a slip bobber and crappie minnow worked in 2-3 feet of water near the brush piles along shore. Anglers report lots of northern pike action at the mudflats where the weeds are now emerging.

Detroit Lakes Area Fishing

Sunfish and crappies remain active on Little Detroit, Melissa and Floyd lakes, as well as Big Detroit’s Deadshot Bay. Look for sunfish in 10-12 feet of water, with crappies found suspended over depths of 12-20 feet. Northern pike continue to be taken by anglers and spearers in less than 12 feet of water on most lakes. Walleyes have become a bit more difficult to locate, although Little Detroit is producing fish during the evening hours in depths of 20 feet.

Lake Kabetogama Fishing

Anglers were reporting lots of smaller walleyes coming from depths of 18-28 feet. The shallow waters are beginning to give up quite a few catch-and-release walleye in the protected slot range of 17-28 inches. The majority of fish have been taken on dark-colored jigs tipped with a minnow. On the brighter, warmer days, brightly-colored jigs in red, white, and blue have worked best. Also try a leech on a jig or slip-sinker rig. Anglers fishing the west end of Kabetogama should hit the windblown shores in depths of 18-25 feet at Picnic, Rom, Sheep, Harris, and Yewbush islands. Those fishing mid-Kabetogama towards Lake Namakan will do well at the Martin Islands, as well as Blundt, Wolf, Green, and Larkin, which offer nice structured shorelines. Northern pike are starting to return to the shallow waters where they can be found chasing bait fish and smaller game fish. Pike action has been best in the bays, such as Peterson, Nebraska, Daily, and Lost, especially along the new weed edges. Crappies should now be out in force in some of the east Kabetogama bays.

Leech Lake Fishing

The wind is generally a big factor, with the fish turning more active when there is a good “walleye chop.” Pine Point had been the hot spot, and as the week progressed the fish seemed to be move closer to the shorelines on points such as Big Hardwood, Duck and Ottertail. Other good fishing spots included Star Point, the Grand Vu Flats, and Goose Island West Flats. On the east side of the lake, good reports were coming from Sugar Point, Bear Island and Partridge Point. Stony Point and the southeast end of Traders Bay were also producing some nice walleye. A chartreuse jig tipped with a shiner or fathead minnow remains the best presentation - consider trying a pearl white jig as well. Even with the inconsistent weather patterns, perch and walleye action has been excellent.

Lake Mille Lacs Fishing

Lake Mille Lacs continues to produce good numbers of slot fish and plenty of large walleyes. Some of the better locations include the sand breaks on the north end in 16-22 feet of water, the deeper rock reefs found in depths of 12-18 feet during the day. Some fish were even pulled from some of the mud flats. At night, hit the shallow rocks using a slip-float and leech.

Park Rapids Area Lakes Fishing

Anglers are finding some good panfish action. Early in the season these fish tend to gravitate toward tiny backwater areas just a few feet deep, traveling back and forth between the sticks and thick vegetation. These areas hold the warmest water, which attracts fish because of the abundance of food. Bluegill and crappie anglers should tie on a very small hook, similar to those carried by ice anglers, and attach a small minnow, waxworm or angle worm this time of year. Then, on May 9th, walleye and northern pike anglers should switch to a minnow, leech or nightcrawler, and hit the smaller, shallower lakes which tend to warm more quickly. Shallow-diving crankbaits, especially those with a long, slender body design, are also a great approach. Hit depths of 6-12 feet, especially at the large sand flats and at the drop-offs along the outer perimeter of these flats. Other key spots include points and current areas. Northern pike should also be found in fairly shallow water, near the newly sprouting vegetation which shelters much of their food. For the most fish, try a flashy lure at the green, submerged weeds just outside of the panfish spawning bays.

Lake Pepin Fishing

The walleye/sauger bite on Lake Pepin remains excellent. Good numbers of fish are being taken on overcast days when trolling throughout depths of 8-14 feet - on bright, sunny days, hit 14-20 feet of water. Experiment daily with different baits and colors as the fish seem to have no set pattern or preference.

Rainy Lake Fishing

Walleye are congregating on the windward shorelines of Rainy Lake and hitting jigs tipped with shiner minnows. The best depth varies, with some fish found surprisingly shallow. Crappies are also biting, and responding to pink, orange and red jigs tipped with a minnow or worm. Large northern pike continue to be pulled from Cranberry and Jackfish bays, especially on flashy crankbaits.

Lake Vermilion Fishing

Lake Vermilion continues to give up good numbers of fish, despite recent weather swings. During lowlight hours, use minnows in the mud. During the day, hit depths of 22-30 feet at the sharp breaks and humps using a minnow or leech. With lake temperatures in the upper 50’s the crappies are holding in the shallows. While these fish can be difficult to locate there have been a few good reports coming from Wakemup Narrows, as well as Wolf and Black bays. Some large northern pike are being taken on white spinner baits, spoons and sucker minnows. Bass should be on their beds in the next week or two. Lake levels remain high and water clarity is excellent.

White Bear Lake Fishing

The water level is low on White Bear Lake so anglers are advised to use caution in the shallower waters and to watch for rocks. The crappie bite has been good during afternoon and evening hours. Most fish are being pulled from depths of 10 feet on a white or pink jig tipped with a minnow or waxworm. The best hours for fishing have been 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Lake of the Woods Fishing

Action has been great on Lake of the Woods. Anglers are taking an abundance of larger walleyes, with indications of an excellent fishing season. Lots of nice eating-sized fish are still being pulled from Four Mile Bay. Some of the larger fish seem to be moving out to the Lighthouse Gap and Pine Island areas. Anglers that are anchoring and jigging report steady action, with a variety of colors producing fish. For the most fish, drop a jig tipped with a shiner minnow to the bottom in 14-18 feet of water. Weather has been cool and the water temperatures are not rising very fast so the walleye remain close to shore. And large northern pike and sturgeon are showing up in areas where the walleyes are lingering.

“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”

Minnesota Walleye Fishing Tips

Walleyes have been known to be cautious eaters, but oftentimes, when the fish tries to bite, it’s the angler that gets excited and loses the plot. This is a common problem, the solution to which lies in a two pronged approach. For one, you have to understand the eating habits of Walleye. In some cases, a walleye will slash the bait like a muskie or pike would do. But generally, walleyes tend to swim up to the bait with flared gills, inhaling it along with the surrounding water and if they sense anything untoward at this point, you will get a short strike or no bite at all.

The second part of the solution is for you to change your presentation in the best possible way so as to minimize resistance in the lure cum line combo. Here are a few tips to help you achieve the same:

When Walleye fishing, go light with the Line: One of the best ways to minimize drag or resistance on a lure is to use a light, smaller diameter line. Preferably something that is good enough for a 4 to 6 pound test. A light line is critical because it lets the walleye suck the lure in without much effort.

Use a Bottom Bait Bouncer: If you plan on using live bait, experts recommend doing so with a bottom-bouncer rig. A bouncer is basically an L-shaped wire with a lead weight attached to the shaft. When you use a bouncer, the weight bounces off the bottom as you retrieve the line. The bouncing motion creates a slack in the line which enables the fish to inhale the bait without much trouble.

Use Short Strokes: A common mistake that many fishermen make is to pump the rod using long vertical strokes that can tug the bait out of the walleye’s mouth. This is why it’s recommended that you use shorter gentler strokes in order to hook the fish effectively.

Try to offer larger bait to the fish so that there’s a greater surface area which will be acted upon by the sucking force of the walleye. The same effect can also be derived by adding a plastic body to the jig. The greater the surface area of the bait, the easier it is for the fish to draw it in.

Go with the Flow: While fishing, if you find that the surface of the water is choppy, then you should try and roll with the waves as it provides that critical bit of slack to the line. The more relaxed your line, the greater your chances of landing walleyes in your boat.

To Advertise On Minnesota Lakes Email - Eric@MinnesotasLakes.com

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