Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing and Hunting Report 4-29-2010
gengberg April 29th, 2010
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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
April 29th, 2010
This report is sponsored by:
Zippel Bay Resort
Big Six
LAKE MILLE LACS
Prior to last weekend’s cooler weather, there were a few crappies and perch being caught in the bays and marinas.
This week has provided very limited panfish action in the shallows, but look for the bite to improve once the water warms again.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Sturgeon season has started and anglers can keep one fish between 45 and 50 inches or one fish over 75 inches.
Reports indicate a good bite with 10 to 20 fish being caught on average per boat. The Rainy River, Four Mile Bay, and Lighthouse Gap have been best in 12 to 20 feet.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE AREA
Crappies have started hitting in the various boat harbors, Steamboat Bay, and Shingobee Bay. Work the shorelines and trees along the shore with minnows and small jigs. Perch are being caught around the Goose Island Flats, the Meadows, and in the Walker Bay Narrows in five to seven feet.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
The majority of crappies are being found in the standing vegetation around 14 to 18 feet of water. You’ll find sunfish along the shorelines in less than six feet of water with lakes such as Minnetonka, Sarah, Independence, and Medicine producing the most fish. Turkey registrations were good during the first couple of seasons, but have dropped off in the seasons since then.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227
RAINY LAKE
The crappie bite has been slow to develop although some of the bays are kicking out a few crappies - Black Bay might be the best option now in eight to 12 feet of water. The most consistent action has been on the Rainy River for sturgeon, which tend to prefer crawlers or minnows.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Fishing reports have been non-existent due to the lack of anglers out fishing. Perch are an option and could be found in shallow water, but there won’t be much happening here until the walleye season begins.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
Twin Cities Metro
NORTHEAST METRO
The St. Croix River is kicking out crappies in the Anderson Windows Bay. The Prescott area of the St. Croix is producing walleyes in 20 to 25 feet of water and white bass in shallow water mainly on jigs and minnows. Look to White Bear Lake and Demonterville Lake for crappies in four to eight feet. Small sunfish seem to be an easy catch on most lakes, but Carnelian Lake and Lake Peltier are giving up a few bigger fish in four to seven feet.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421
WEST METRO
Lake Minnewashta, Lake Bavaria, Lake Parley, Lake Auburn, Dutch Lake, Pelican Lake, and Eagle Lake are all producing sunfish in two to six feet and crappies in slightly deeper water. Small jigs tipped with waxworms or minnows are working best.
Turkey registrations continue to be strong and most have been adult birds.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022
LAKE WACONIA
Sunfish and crappies are hitting well along the south shore in five to 10 feet. A few panfish have come off the north end near the carp trap in shallower water. Pitch jigs and minnows for the crappies and waxworms for sunfish.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096
Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREA
Small jigs tipped with waxies or minnows are turning crappies and sunfish, although they are moving in and out of the shallows as the weather changes. Look to Lake Carlos, Lobster Lake, Mill Lake, Oscar Lake, Lake Ida, and Lake Miltona. Turkey registrations are up quite a bit from last year and each season seems to be better than the previous one.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255
ANNANDALE AREA
Sunfish and crappies continue to be caught in the bays of most lakes and there is some crappie action taking place in slightly deeper water. Lakes worth noting this week include Clearwater, Sugar, Pleasant, Sylvia, Marie, Bass, John, and Cedar. Turkey hunters continue to bring in a few birds each day and most report plenty of them in the area.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE
Crappies are being taken in two to 10 feet on small hair jigs and minnows at Heilberger Lake, Fish Lake, Ten Mile Lake, Walker Lake, Clitherall Lake, and Long Lake north of Fergus Falls. Look for sunfish in shallow water at Elbow Lake, Deer Lake, Dead Lake, South Turtle Lake, and Fish Lake.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BEMIDJI AREA
Crappie action has picked up in two to four feet at Grant Lake, Midge Lake, Big Turtle Lake, and Lake Beltrami. Perch reports have improved on Big Lake and Lake Marquette with minnows in less than seven feet. Bluegill action has been slow with a few mixed in with crappies.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BLACKDUCK AREA
You’ll find crappies and bluegills in less than six feet at Turtle River Lake and Blackduck Lake. A few good-sized perch also have been found on Blackduck in shallow water. Lakes such as Rabideau and Gilstead haven’t provided much of a panfish bite up to this point.
Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
The panfish bite really kicked in on most lakes this week. Find a bay or shallow channel and you’ll catch a mixed bag of bluegills and crappies. Some of the best reports are coming off Gull Lake, Lake Hubert, and the Merrifield Bay on North Long Lake.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010
CHISAGO AREA
Crappies and sunfish are being found in six feet on the north end of North Center Lake, the shorelines of South Center Lake and Kroon Lake, and in Dinnerbell Bay on South Lindstrom Lake. You’ll also find plenty of panfish near the A-Frame on Chisago Lake in six to 10 feet. Small leeches and minnows are both producing crappies. Turkey registrations remain strong with four to eight birds registered daily.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
CROSBY AREA
The early morning hours have provided steady crappie action in five to seven feet at Serpent Lake, Bay Lake, Black Hoof Lake, and Clearwater Lake. The smaller lakes in this area seem to be giving up more of a mixed bag of sunfish and crappies in shallow water. A few turkeys continue to be brought in, but registrations have slowed since the second season ended.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912
CUSHING AREA
Crappie and sunfish reports have really improved this week. Work the bays in six to nine feet at Fish Trap Lake, Lake Alexander, and Lake Shamineau with small jigs and minnows or waxworms and you should find plenty of panfish. Turkey registrations are limited here, but there seems to be quite a few being shot in the area and registered at other locations.
Hilltop Sports (320) 749-2055
DETROIT LAKES
Crappies and sunfish continue to be found in four to six feet on most lakes. Leading the way for numbers and size are Big Detroit Lake, Deadshot Bay, Little Detroit Lake, Floyd Lake, Lake Franklin, Big Cormorant Lake, and Little Cormorant Lake. Tube jigs and small hair jigs tipped with minnows, pieces of crawlers, small leeches, or waxworms are all producing panfish.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248
DULUTH AREA
Minnows are producing crappies on the rocks at Fish Lake in eight to 10 feet. On Pike Lake, perch action has picked up in 10 to 12 feet with minnows. Kimball Bay on the St. Louis River also is giving up crappies in eight to 10 feet. Brook trout action has improved in the streams, even though most are flowing very low. Nightcrawlers seem to be the hot bait for brookies.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094
EAST-CENTRAL MINN
The shallow bays and shorelines of Blue Lake, Knife Lake, Green Lake, and Elk Lake continue to kick out sunfish and crappies. Small jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms are both working well. Turkey registrations continue to be impressive, highlighted this past week by a 26-pound tom.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985
ELY AREA
Fishing reports have been limited, although this week has provided some limited crappie action at Birch Lake in 10 to 15 feet. Look for Farm Lake and Grassy Lake to start producing crappies as well. Bluegill action also has been slow, but Low Lake might be worth checking as the water warms.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744
EMILY AREA
Red hooks and minnows are producing crappies on the west side of West Fox Lake in eight to 12 feet. The north end of Molten Lake is kicking out crappies in six to 10 feet of water. On the west side of Lake Emily, the bluegills have started hitting waxies or angle worms in six to 10 feet.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191
FAIRMONT AREA
Minnows are producing crappies and perch in 10 to 17 feet at Fox Lake. Hall Lake is kicking out crappies in shallow water and plenty of catfish after dark in six to eight feet. The best option for bluegills and a few perch is at Sissiton Lake in four to six feet. On Amber Lake, you’ll catch bullheads, crappies, and a few perch below the trap in four to six feet.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225
FARIBAULT AREA
The creek area of Shields Lake is producing small sunfish and an occasional crappie. You’ll find a few crappies suspended over 20 to 25 feet of water at French Lake and Lake Mazaska. Turkey registrations continue to be limited, although there seems to be quite a few birds in the area.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341
GRAND MARAIS AREA
There hasn’t been much fishing activity over the past week. The few inland lakes that hold panfish haven’t been very productive and there isn’t a lot of anglers looking for them. There is some activity in the streams for trout, but low water has made fishing difficult.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
The bays on most fisheries are now producing panfish in four to eight feet. Lakes worth noting this week include Big Cutfoot, Little Cutfoot, Trout, Big Splithand, Wabana, Little Splithand, Bass, and the Mississippi River. Small tube or hair jigs tipped with minnows, waxies, or small leeches have been the best options.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
Pleasant Lake starting giving up crappies in two to four feet of water on FluFlus and minnows. Lundstrom Bay on Ten Mile Lake is kicking out crappies in four feet, minnows also have worked best here. A few sunfish reports have started trickling in from area lakes and most of them are being found in less than six feet as well.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE KABETOGAMA
Water temperatures have climbed into the high 40- to low 50-degree range in the bays. This has started to drive the crappies shallow with a few reports coming in from the bays of Lake Kabetogama and Namakan Lake.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121
LAKE VERMILION
Crappies are hitting dark-colored jigs on cloudy days and bright-colored jigs on sunny days when tipped with a minnow. Key areas seem to be the bays or shorelines that offer bulrushes and wood extending out from shore.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052
MANKATO AREA
A variety of live and artificial bait options are producing channel and flathead catfish in the deeper pockets of the Minnesota River. Panfish action continues to be consistent with crappies being found in the shallows of Lake Washington and Madison Lake. Ballentine Lake continues to kick out sunfish in five to seven feet during midday hours.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228
McGREGOR AREA
Minnows are producing crappies under the bridge on Big Sandy Lake in shallow water. The shallow bays or shorelines that offer some weed growth on Lake Minnewawa are providing a mixed bag of sunfish and crappies in less than six feet of water.
Willey’s Sport Shop (218) 426-3382
ORTONVILLE AREA
Opening weekend of the border walleye season went well with Big Stone Lake producing fish south of Mallard Point on the Minnesota side, north of Mallard Point on the South Dakota side, and in the Meadowbrook area. The majority of walleyes were taken on a jig and minnow close to the shorelines. Lake Traverse also has kicked out walleyes in four feet or less via crankbaits or a jig and minnow. Panfish action has been slow.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Crappie action remains strong along the shorelines at Long Lake and in the bays of Fish Hook Lake, you’ll find crappies and sunfish. The Crow Wing Chain and most other lakes in the area are now producing panfish in shallow water.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
RED WING AREA
Hair jigs tipped with minnows continue to produce sauger below the dam on the Mississippi River in 18 feet. Three-way rigs and crankbaits are the ticket for walleyes in eight to 15 feet at the Head of the Lakes near Lake Pepin. The shallow water around Bay City is holding panfish and catfish continue to be taken on crawlers or stinkbait below the dam. Turkey registrations remain strong with several big toms brought in again this week.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Sunfish and crappies are being found in the shallow bays, culverts, and channels of Lake Koronis, Mud Lake, Long Lake, Cedar Island Lake, and Becker Lake. Turkey hunters are doing very well, according to registrations, which are up from last year through the first few seasons.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248
SAUK CENTRE AREA
There’s an afternoon crappie bite on Sauk Lake in Bailey’s Bay and Schumacker’s Bay. Hunter’s Bay on Big Birch Lake and Hennington Bay at Fairy Lake are producing crappies and a few sunfish as well. The channel on the north end of Lake Osakis continues to kick out plenty of panfish during midday hours. Turkey hunters continue to do well, registering three or four birds each day.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155
STARBUCK AREA
Sunfish are hitting small leeches and waxworms in the Starbuck Marina on Lake Minnewaska. Fish Hatchery Bay on the Glenwood end of Minnewaska is producing crappies in eight feet. Turkey registrations are limited, though there seems to be a decent number of birds in the area.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239
WATERVILLE AREA
The lagoons and water tower area of Lake Tetonka are holding sunfish and a few crappies, most of which are being caught on waxworms. The mouth of the lagoons on Tetonka are worth hitting with minnows for perch. On Lake Francis, crappie and sunfish action has picked up in three to seven feet with minnows and waxworms. Turkey registrations have slowed since the first two seasons.
Axel’s Tackle Box (507) 362-4444
WILLMAR AREA
Not much has changed from a week ago as most lakes continue to produce sunfish and crappies in shallow water. North Long Lake, Lake Elizabeth, Nest Lake, Diamond Lake, Willmar/Foot Lake, West Norway Lake, Games Lake, Little Elkhorn Lake, Lake Andrew, and Green Lake are all providing some panfish action in less than seven feet.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports
(320) 235-4097
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