Minnesota Lakes fishing report

Saturday's CJ Johnson updates the fishing action from Minnesota!

 

 

 

 

Listen live at  www.kfgo.com Saturday around 4:10 for the upate from CJ! 



International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

Anglers are taking some very large northern pike from the border waters

of Rainy Lake and Rainy River, with most of the larger fish coming from

Rainy Lake's warmer bay. The best locations have been close to the dam at

International Falls.

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Walleye action was exceptional early on and all signs point to similar success

continuing. 14- to 20-inch walleye are more abundant than usual this year.

Sauger measuring 12- to 15-inches are also more abundant this year. The

Lake of the Woods fishery is healthy and in position to keep anglers happy!

Check out charter fishing on this lake of 12-thousand islands.

Early on anglers were finding crappies moving into the shallows in many

area lakes. The best activity has generally been late in the day, after the sun

has had a chance to warm the water in some of the deeper lakes. Crappies

move into the shallows to feed this time of year, with bass, crappies and

sunnies usually spawning when water temperatures reach between 68- and 72-

degrees. The spawn is pretty much over at this point.

The stream trout season is now open and anglers reported decent action on

opening weekend. One area stream, the Straight River, is considered one

of the best trout streams in the Upper Midwest, with a trout population

estimated at 8,000 trout per mile of stream…that means your chances are

great this spring.

The panfish bite remains good on area lakes. Anglers are having the most

success on warm and sunny days. Most crappies have been suspended a

few feet down in 4-9 feet of water. A small jig and bobber with a minnow or

plastic worm. Sunfish are everywhere. Stay on the move until you locate a

school of larger fish. Detroit Lakes has some fabulous walleye fishing.

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

There is a new 17- to 28-inch protected slot for Lake Mille Lacs walleye --

one walleye 28-inches or longer may be included in the four-fish limit. The

fisheries staff is expecting the great winter bite of walleyes to carry over into

this summer. If you know Mille Lacs…you know the reefs…if you know the

reefs, you know you will find walleye.

West Central Minnesota

Fishing has been very good for anglers pursuing crappies and sunnies,

especially on sunny, warm days. Areas to check out include Florida, Andrew,

Long, Willmar and Foot lakes, as well as Diamond Lake's Dogfish Bay, and

all bays on Nest Lake.

South West Minnesota

Ortonville - Big Stone Lake

Anglers are taking good numbers of walleye from Big Stone Lake on days

with a slight walleye chop. Some nice fish, measuring 17- to 19-inches, are

being caught close to shore, off the windy points. The favorite method is a

jig and minnow combination, pitching into the rocks along the shorelines or

rocky points. Once fish move into a summer pattern, fish troll the 5- to 7-foot

range which will make setting the hook less of a challenge.

   

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