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Minnesota
Lakes are famous for Outstanding Walleye,
Northern Pike and Muskie Fishing. Find
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Minnesota Fishing Lakes
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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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