04-26-2004, 04:51 AM
[indent]
The opening dates for the 2004/2005 fishing season for most of Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, -May 15; largemouth and smallmouth bass, -May 29; and for muskie -June 5. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. [/indent]
Northeastern[/url] Duluth
Anglers are having luck catching suckers, loopers and steelhead on the French, Knife and Lester Rivers. Anglers are also taking some nice coho salmon and loopers when trolling Lake Superior. For the most fish, try rapalas during morning hours. Most boats are currently being launched on the Knife River and from underneath the High Bridge.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, Pike Bay is now open and it will be another week or so before the entire lake is free of ice.
Northcentral/Western [/url]
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, there a continuous northern pike season, and Zippel Bay will host the 8th Annual Ice-Out Trophy Pike Tournament this weekend, April 24 & 25. Prizes will be given away each day for the largest northern pike landed. In addition, numbers of cash prizes will be handed out the final day. In case of inclement weather, the alternate dates will be May 1 & 2. For more information, dial 1-800-222-2537.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, the ice continues to melt. It will be another week to 10 days before anglers have their boats in the water.
Bemidji
Most area lakes should be free of ice by this weekend. For panfish, hit some of the smaller area lakes such as Grant, Big Bass, Stump and Midge.
Park Rapids
Shore anglers are taking a few crappies from Long Lake.
Hackensack
This weekend's best bets for panfish are Birch, Ten Mile, Pleasant, and Webb Lakes.
Detroit Lakes
Prairie, Lizzie, Little Pelican, Little Cormorant, Crystal, Cotton, Little Detroit, Leif and Big Toad Lakes are all giving up a few panfish. Crappies are being taken on lindy quiver jigs worked in the shallower bays. In a few more days, most of the fish should have moved into the shallows.
Alexandria
Crappies and sunnies are being pulled from Carlos, Oscar, and Le Homme Dieu Lakes, especially during evening hours. For the most fish, hit 2-3 feet of water using power bait or minnows.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, anglers report excellent crappie fishing at the Starbuck Marina. Many nice crappies are being taken during early morning hours until 8:30 a.m. on small jigs and minnows. Nice-size sunfish are hitting small jigs tipped with leeches or waxworms throughout the day. The Glenwood end of the lake, near Fish Hatchery Bay, has been a productive area for both sunnies and crappies. Crappies have been most active during evening hours until 10 p.m., with the sunfish hitting all hours of the day. Other area lakes producing panfish are Rachel, Pocket and Oscar. And, anglers are taking catfish from the Chippewa and Minnesota Rivers.
Brainerd
The main lakes remain very cold, but the sun's rays have started to heat up the ditches, backwaters, and small harbors throughout the area. Crappie action has been slow, but it is expected to improve with each warm day. The best bet has been sunfish, with numbers being taken from the smaller area lakes that have a dark mud bottom and a southern exposure. The best approach has been a small jig, bobber, and waxworm.
Crosslake
Most of the smaller area lakes are now open. A few crappies are coming off of Crosslake, along the north side, at Moonlight Bay, and at the Bait Box.
Nisswa
Most area lakes are now ice-free, with crappies and bluegills being taken on sunny days. Some of the better locations include the Bar Harbor docks, North Long Lake's Merrifield Bay, and Lake Margaret on the Gull Chain of Lakes. Crappies can be found in the shallows when the sun is shining, otherwise most of these fish remain at the weed edges in 5-12 feet of water. Bluegills have been an easy catch in the shallow, dark bottom bays and channels, with waxworms on flu flu's working best. For the most crappies, try small crappie minnows or puddle jumpers.
Isle
Most of the ice has melted on Lake Mille Lacs. Some anglers are already working the shorelines, and taking crappies from the shallows on flu-flu's tipped with crappie minnows.
Southern [/url]
Wabasha
On the Mississippi River, fishing has been excellent at the Alma Dam now that the walleye are done spawning. A few anglers recently caught eight 5-pound walleye, and numbers of smaller walleye are also being reported. Northern pike action continues to increase in the backwaters at Nelson's Wisconsin Dike Road, with 12- to 13-pound pike coming in on sucker minnows. And anglers report taking number of sunnies, crappies and perch.
Mankato
For some nice-size crappies, hit Madison and Washington Lakes. Numbers of smaller crappies are being pulled from Lake Francis, especially during evening hours. The best approach has been a white tube jig, white & chartreuse flu-flu, or gypsi jig. A few anglers are also fishing the Minnesota River.
Willmar
Panfish are hitting waxworms throughout the day in Dogfish Bay on Diamond Lake, the north end of Andrew Lake, on Lake Florida, and on most of the smaller area lakes.
Ortonville
Anglers are looking forward to the walleye opener on Big Stone Lake this Saturday, April 24. A good place to start will be Mallard Point, and on to the north. The big lake is very clear, so night fishing might be an excellent option. Early this week, the lake was slime-free, unlike the last few years. Expect to find the majority of walleye in 3-4 feet of water or less.
Montevideo
Catfish are hitting dead minnows on the Minnesota River. Crappies are active on Lake Lac Qui Parle at Volden's Pit and at the Islands. The Big Stone Lake walleye opener is this Saturday, April 24. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow combination or a crankbait tossed into the shallows.
Twin Cities/Metro [url "http://www.exploreminnesota.com/current_conditions/detail.cfm?oid=4688#top"][#800080][/#800080][/url]
St. Cloud
Fishing is been excellent on most area lakes. Crappies are being pulled from Pearl, Pleasant, Grand, and Rice Lakes. On the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes, areas to try include the East Lake and Schneider shallows. For crappies, use a flu flu and crappie minnow, with sunfish preferring waxworms on a plain hook. And, crappie action is also starting to pick up on the Sauk River near the dam.
Eden Valley
Panfish have been very active on Lake Koronis this past week, with sunnies and crappies being pulled from the shallows throughout the day on waxworms and minnows.
Maple Lake
Crappie fishing was excellent last weekend, and many anglers took advantage of the nice weather. Some of the better producers were Rock, Sugar and Maple Lakes. Most of the panfish are now moving into the shallows. For the most fish, try crappie minnows and waxworms in roughly 4-5 feet of water.
Annandale
Panfishing has been excellent, especially on Cedar, Clearwater, Sylvia, Francis, and Millpond Lakes. Fish have been most active in 5 feet of water and are hitting flu flu's, feather jigs, mini jigs, and flies throughout the day.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, the crappie bite was excellent before the storms earlier this week. After a few more warm, sunny days expect the fish to move into roughly 3-5 feet of water. For the most fish, try beetle spins or flu flu's tipped with a crappie minnow. Some of the better locations include Waconia Bay, the west end Rock Dock area, and any shallow areas along the shorelines.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, fish are active in the shallow bays. In the larger bays, hit 10-12 feet of water using slip bobbers and pink and white or chartreuse jigs. And, don't forget the Gander Mountain Crappie Contest taking place this Saturday, April 24 at Lord Fletchers.
Chisago City
The south end of Chisago Lake, between the Eagle's Nest and the A-frame, is giving up numbers of panfish. Other hot spots to try include the north end of North Center Lake, below the Dinner Bell on South Lindstrom Lake, and the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom Lakes. For the most fish, try a flu flu jig tipped with a waxworm, a slip bobber and a leech, or a plain crappie minnow. Sunfish and crappies are being taken throughout the day, as well as during evening hours in 4-10 feet of water. Crappies tend to be a bit more shallow on sunny days.
Stillwater
The St. Croix River water level is low for mid-April, and now at typical mid-summer levels. Reports indicate that walleye are currently spawning. With the walleye and sauger season closed, a handful of anglers are venturing out and catching crappies and white bass. White bass are being pulled from the shallow stretches of the river where the water slows near faster current. Crappies are starting to move into shallower waters, although they can still be found suspended in their winter holes.![[Image: shim.gif]](http://www.exploreminnesota.com/images/shim.gif)
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The opening dates for the 2004/2005 fishing season for most of Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, -May 15; largemouth and smallmouth bass, -May 29; and for muskie -June 5. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. [/indent]
Northeastern[/url] Duluth
Anglers are having luck catching suckers, loopers and steelhead on the French, Knife and Lester Rivers. Anglers are also taking some nice coho salmon and loopers when trolling Lake Superior. For the most fish, try rapalas during morning hours. Most boats are currently being launched on the Knife River and from underneath the High Bridge.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, Pike Bay is now open and it will be another week or so before the entire lake is free of ice.
Northcentral/Western [/url]
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, there a continuous northern pike season, and Zippel Bay will host the 8th Annual Ice-Out Trophy Pike Tournament this weekend, April 24 & 25. Prizes will be given away each day for the largest northern pike landed. In addition, numbers of cash prizes will be handed out the final day. In case of inclement weather, the alternate dates will be May 1 & 2. For more information, dial 1-800-222-2537.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, the ice continues to melt. It will be another week to 10 days before anglers have their boats in the water.
Bemidji
Most area lakes should be free of ice by this weekend. For panfish, hit some of the smaller area lakes such as Grant, Big Bass, Stump and Midge.
Park Rapids
Shore anglers are taking a few crappies from Long Lake.
Hackensack
This weekend's best bets for panfish are Birch, Ten Mile, Pleasant, and Webb Lakes.
Detroit Lakes
Prairie, Lizzie, Little Pelican, Little Cormorant, Crystal, Cotton, Little Detroit, Leif and Big Toad Lakes are all giving up a few panfish. Crappies are being taken on lindy quiver jigs worked in the shallower bays. In a few more days, most of the fish should have moved into the shallows.
Alexandria
Crappies and sunnies are being pulled from Carlos, Oscar, and Le Homme Dieu Lakes, especially during evening hours. For the most fish, hit 2-3 feet of water using power bait or minnows.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, anglers report excellent crappie fishing at the Starbuck Marina. Many nice crappies are being taken during early morning hours until 8:30 a.m. on small jigs and minnows. Nice-size sunfish are hitting small jigs tipped with leeches or waxworms throughout the day. The Glenwood end of the lake, near Fish Hatchery Bay, has been a productive area for both sunnies and crappies. Crappies have been most active during evening hours until 10 p.m., with the sunfish hitting all hours of the day. Other area lakes producing panfish are Rachel, Pocket and Oscar. And, anglers are taking catfish from the Chippewa and Minnesota Rivers.
Brainerd
The main lakes remain very cold, but the sun's rays have started to heat up the ditches, backwaters, and small harbors throughout the area. Crappie action has been slow, but it is expected to improve with each warm day. The best bet has been sunfish, with numbers being taken from the smaller area lakes that have a dark mud bottom and a southern exposure. The best approach has been a small jig, bobber, and waxworm.
Crosslake
Most of the smaller area lakes are now open. A few crappies are coming off of Crosslake, along the north side, at Moonlight Bay, and at the Bait Box.
Nisswa
Most area lakes are now ice-free, with crappies and bluegills being taken on sunny days. Some of the better locations include the Bar Harbor docks, North Long Lake's Merrifield Bay, and Lake Margaret on the Gull Chain of Lakes. Crappies can be found in the shallows when the sun is shining, otherwise most of these fish remain at the weed edges in 5-12 feet of water. Bluegills have been an easy catch in the shallow, dark bottom bays and channels, with waxworms on flu flu's working best. For the most crappies, try small crappie minnows or puddle jumpers.
Isle
Most of the ice has melted on Lake Mille Lacs. Some anglers are already working the shorelines, and taking crappies from the shallows on flu-flu's tipped with crappie minnows.
Southern [/url]
Wabasha
On the Mississippi River, fishing has been excellent at the Alma Dam now that the walleye are done spawning. A few anglers recently caught eight 5-pound walleye, and numbers of smaller walleye are also being reported. Northern pike action continues to increase in the backwaters at Nelson's Wisconsin Dike Road, with 12- to 13-pound pike coming in on sucker minnows. And anglers report taking number of sunnies, crappies and perch.
Mankato
For some nice-size crappies, hit Madison and Washington Lakes. Numbers of smaller crappies are being pulled from Lake Francis, especially during evening hours. The best approach has been a white tube jig, white & chartreuse flu-flu, or gypsi jig. A few anglers are also fishing the Minnesota River.
Willmar
Panfish are hitting waxworms throughout the day in Dogfish Bay on Diamond Lake, the north end of Andrew Lake, on Lake Florida, and on most of the smaller area lakes.
Ortonville
Anglers are looking forward to the walleye opener on Big Stone Lake this Saturday, April 24. A good place to start will be Mallard Point, and on to the north. The big lake is very clear, so night fishing might be an excellent option. Early this week, the lake was slime-free, unlike the last few years. Expect to find the majority of walleye in 3-4 feet of water or less.
Montevideo
Catfish are hitting dead minnows on the Minnesota River. Crappies are active on Lake Lac Qui Parle at Volden's Pit and at the Islands. The Big Stone Lake walleye opener is this Saturday, April 24. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow combination or a crankbait tossed into the shallows.
Twin Cities/Metro [url "http://www.exploreminnesota.com/current_conditions/detail.cfm?oid=4688#top"][#800080][/#800080][/url]
St. Cloud
Fishing is been excellent on most area lakes. Crappies are being pulled from Pearl, Pleasant, Grand, and Rice Lakes. On the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes, areas to try include the East Lake and Schneider shallows. For crappies, use a flu flu and crappie minnow, with sunfish preferring waxworms on a plain hook. And, crappie action is also starting to pick up on the Sauk River near the dam.
Eden Valley
Panfish have been very active on Lake Koronis this past week, with sunnies and crappies being pulled from the shallows throughout the day on waxworms and minnows.
Maple Lake
Crappie fishing was excellent last weekend, and many anglers took advantage of the nice weather. Some of the better producers were Rock, Sugar and Maple Lakes. Most of the panfish are now moving into the shallows. For the most fish, try crappie minnows and waxworms in roughly 4-5 feet of water.
Annandale
Panfishing has been excellent, especially on Cedar, Clearwater, Sylvia, Francis, and Millpond Lakes. Fish have been most active in 5 feet of water and are hitting flu flu's, feather jigs, mini jigs, and flies throughout the day.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, the crappie bite was excellent before the storms earlier this week. After a few more warm, sunny days expect the fish to move into roughly 3-5 feet of water. For the most fish, try beetle spins or flu flu's tipped with a crappie minnow. Some of the better locations include Waconia Bay, the west end Rock Dock area, and any shallow areas along the shorelines.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, fish are active in the shallow bays. In the larger bays, hit 10-12 feet of water using slip bobbers and pink and white or chartreuse jigs. And, don't forget the Gander Mountain Crappie Contest taking place this Saturday, April 24 at Lord Fletchers.
Chisago City
The south end of Chisago Lake, between the Eagle's Nest and the A-frame, is giving up numbers of panfish. Other hot spots to try include the north end of North Center Lake, below the Dinner Bell on South Lindstrom Lake, and the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom Lakes. For the most fish, try a flu flu jig tipped with a waxworm, a slip bobber and a leech, or a plain crappie minnow. Sunfish and crappies are being taken throughout the day, as well as during evening hours in 4-10 feet of water. Crappies tend to be a bit more shallow on sunny days.
Stillwater
The St. Croix River water level is low for mid-April, and now at typical mid-summer levels. Reports indicate that walleye are currently spawning. With the walleye and sauger season closed, a handful of anglers are venturing out and catching crappies and white bass. White bass are being pulled from the shallow stretches of the river where the water slows near faster current. Crappies are starting to move into shallower waters, although they can still be found suspended in their winter holes.
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