Minnesota Fishing Report

Water temperatures on most area lakes remain in the low 50s. Warmer days and nights with the extended daylight hours should begin to warm the water quickly. The bass opener was a huge success for bass anglers since these fish remained very shallow water, guarding their nests. Crappies have also moved to their spawning sites in the shallow waters. For the most fish, work the warm water weed areas in 4-8 feet of water. Most crappies can be found suspended roughly halfway down. Crappie anglers are having the most success using small jigs or hooks tipped with crappie minnows under bobbers; small jigs with twister tails are also working well. Walleyes remain shallow on most area lakes, with anglers pulling fish from 8-14 feet of water at the edges of the large flats. Most fish are still relating to the shoreline breaks. Successful techniques include jig and minnow combinations, rigs tipped with minnows, leeches or crawlers, and slip bobbers with leeches. Northern pike are very active in the shallows. The muskie are just completing their spawn which should be perfect timing for this Saturday’s Muskie Opener! Please note that multiple days of rain last week have brought water levels back up and all accesses are now in great shape.