Minnesota Outdoor News and Fishing Report 5-26-2011

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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
May 27, 2011

This report is sponsored by:
Archery Buyers Guide

Big Six

LAKE MILLE LACS
East - Live-bait rigs and leeches are producing walleyes on the north-end sand in 19 to 21 feet during the day and in six to 12 feet during the evening hours. Slip bobbers and leeches are turning walleyes on the 19-foot rocks during the day and on the six- to 12-foot rocks during low-light periods. Crankbaits also have triggered walleyes on the shallow rocks during low-light periods.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

West - During the day, Lindy Rigs and live bait are the ticket for walleyes in 18 to 20 feet. St. Alban’s Bay, Garrison Bay, Seguchie Point, Pike Point, and Sherman’s Point have been best. At night, work crankbaits in seven to 10 feet or slip bobbers and leeches in 10 to 18 feet in these same areas.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS
Anchoring and pitching bright-colored jigs and minnows in 23 to 26 feet has provided steady walleye action. Better areas this week have been the Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point, and Zippel Bay. If the wind blows, you will find active walleyes in shallower water.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau
(800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE AREA
A jig and shiner continues to produce walleyes on the wind-driven points and shorelines. Big and Little Hardwoods, the south end of Goose Island, and Stoney Point are worth hitting if the wind is right. Crappie action also has picked up in the bays and boat harbors throughout the lake.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
Lindy Rigs and minnows are turning walleyes in eight to 16 feet in Brown’s, Wayzata, and Excelsior bays of Lake Minnetonka. Walleyes also are being caught in the channels during the evening hours. Look for crappies on the six- to eight-foot inside weed edges of Minnetonka, Lake Independence, and Medicine Lake. Spinners and sucker minnows are producing northern pike in 12 feet on Minnetonka and Medicine.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE
The reeds in two to four feet throughout Black Bay are holding crappies and shiner minnows will turn walleyes here in eight to 10 feet. The Kettle Falls area is producing walleyes via minnows in 10 to 12 feet and walleye reports off the river are improving. Sucker minnows have triggered northern pike on the weedlines near Cranberry Creek and in Lost Bay.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
A jig and shiner minnow continues to provide limits of walleyes in six to 14 feet. The points on the west side, Little Stoney Point, the bird house area, and Tamarack Point are all producing fish - work the wind-driven areas. There has been plenty of perch and northern pike being caught in these areas as well.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
Ice Out Contest

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO
The weed edges of Big Marine Lake are producing northern pike and you’ll find crappies in six to eight feet here. Silver Lake is kicking out panfish and pike in shallow water, while crappies continue to be found in six to eight feet at White Bear Lake. Demonterville Lake is a safe bet for crappies and northern pike in less than 10 feet and minnows are turning walleyes in 20 feet at Bald Eagle Lake.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO
Spinnerbaits or suckers are triggering pike in four to eight feet at lakes Auburn, Stieger, and Whaletail. A jig and minnow is turning walleyes and white bass at the creek mouths of the Minnesota River. A few walleyes have bit leeches at Lake Parley in eight to 12 feet, while Pierson Lake and Lake Bavaria are kicking out sunfish in four to six feet.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA
Low-light periods have been best for walleyes with Shad Raps or leeches and slip bobbers in six to 10 feet off Harm’s Point, the Rock Dock, and reef edges. A few daytime walleyes can be had on the eight- to 13-foot weed edges.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA
Minnows or leeches are producing walleyes during low-light periods in 10 to 15 feet at Lake Andrew, Lake Le Homme Dieu, or Lake Miltona and in nine to 11 feet at Lake Mary. Crappies are now set up in the reeds at lakes Carlos, Geneva, and Darling.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle
(320) 763-3255

ANNANDALE AREA
Minnows or leeches have produced a few walleyes in 16 to 24 feet at Clearwater Lake and along the weedlines of Big Swan Lake. Crappies started to move into the reed beds of Clearwater, Cedar Lake, Lake Sylvia, and Sugar Lake. Lake John, Sugar, and Clearwater are safe bets for pike in 12 to 16 feet.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE
Shiner minnows continue to produce walleyes on the eight- to 12-foot rocks and weeds of Otter Tail Lake and Walker Lake. Look for sunfish and crappies in shallow water on Clitherall Lake, Elbow Lake, and the culvert on Ten Mile Lake. Northern pike are an easy catch with sucker minnows at Otter Tail, Clitherall, and West Battle Lake.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA
Walleyes are inhaling shiners in six to 12 feet at Lake Bemidji, Lake Plantagenet, Big Wolf Lake, and Lake Andrusia. Crappies seem to be hitting at a steady pace on most lakes in shallow water and pike are biting in the same areas as walleyes on most lakes.
Bluewater Outdoors
(218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Spot-tailed shiners or leeches are producing walleyes at Gull Lake, North Long Lake, and Round Lake in six to 10 feet during low-light periods or in 10 to 23 feet during the day. Blue jigs and minnows are the ticket for crappies in six to 15 feet at Gull, North Long, and Pelican Lake. Sucker minnows continue to trigger northern pike in six to 18 feet at Upper Gull Lake and North Long.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

CASS LAKE AREA
Walleye fishing is excellent with shiner minnows around all current areas and main-lake bars throughout the Cass Lake Chain. Better areas have been the Mississippi River, Turtle River, Turtle River Bar, Buck’s Bar, Stoney Point, Tom’s Bar, and the gravel bars of Kitchi Lake. Pike are in the cabbage of most lakes and crappies remain shallow.
Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831 sunsetcove-resort.com

DETROIT LAKES
Crappies remain shallow and active at lakes Melissa, Little Detroit, Big Detroit, Deadshot Bay, Floyd, and Severson. Walleyes are scattered and hitting minnows in 10 to 25 feet on Big Detroit, Big Cormorant Lake, Middle Cormorant Lake, Big Pine Lake, and Little Pine Lake. Sunfish action is consistent in shallow water with Deadshot Bay and Floyd standing out in recent days for numbers.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA
A jig and minnow is producing walleyes in 10 feet at Boulder Lake, Fish Lake, and Island Lake. On Rice Lake, minnows are turning walleyes and pike in six feet. Crappies have moved into the shallows on most lakes.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

ELY AREA
Smallmouth bass have been hitting on the shorelines and current areas of Burntside Lake and Lake Shagawa. Jigs tipped with minnows or leeches are producing walleyes in six to 10 feet at Shagawa, White Iron Lake, and Ensign Lake. White Iron also has kicked out plenty of good-sized northern pike, while jigs and minnows are producing lake trout along the shorelines and bays of Burntside.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744

EMILY AREA
Crappies are hitting minnows in four to six feet at Lake Emily and Mitchell Lake. A jig and minnow is turning walleyes in the evening at Ruth Lake in 12 feet. Spoons are producing pike on eight- to 10-foot weedlines at Eagle Lake. You’ll find sunfish at East Fox Lake where lily pads are breaking through.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

FAIRMONT AREA
Minnows and leeches are producing walleyes in six to 10 feet at Amber Lake and catfish have started hitting crawlers on Hall Lake. Look to Hall and Budd Lake for crappies in less than six feet, while Lake Sissiton is giving up a mixed panfish bag in shallow water. The rock piles at Fox Lake are holding crappies and northern pike can be had with crankbaits or minnows in three to six feet at Tuttle Lake and Charlotte Lake.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225

FARIBAULT AREA
Walleyes are hitting a jig and minnow during low-light periods at the bridge area of Cannon Lake. Circle Lake is giving up a few walleyes on minnows in five to seven feet and Cedar Lake is a safe bet for crappies in eight to 10 feet.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341

GRAND MARAIS AREA
Walleyes are hitting minnows in six to 10 feet at McFarland Lake and Devil Fish Lake, in 10 to 12 feet at Poplar Lake, and in 15 to 20 feet at Seagull Lake. The weedlines of Elbow Lake are kicking out walleyes and perch via minnows. Lake trout are hitting spoons or Rapalas in the top 20 feet at Lake Saganaga, Loon Lake, and Daniels Lake.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

GRAND RAPIDS AREA
Jigs and shiner minnows are providing consistent walleye action in seven to 11 feet at lakes Pokegama, Big Splithand, Bowstring, and Sand. Minnows also are turning walleyes in 17 to 21 feet at Sugar Lake and Deer Lake during the day, but look shallower at night. Crappies are hitting in shallow water at Pokegama, Big Splithand, and Jay Gould Lake. Sucker minnows will trigger northern pike in six to 10 feet throughout Pokegama.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

HACKENSACK AREA
A jig and minnow or leech and Lindy Rig is the ticket for walleyes on the 12- to 14-foot rock piles of Woman Lake and the shoreline breaks of Pine Mountain Lake. Crappies remain shallow as well with lakes such as Pleasant, Birch, and Ten Mile providing consistent numbers of fish.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176

LAKE VERMILION
Small jigs tipped with minnows under a float are producing crappies in Norwegian Bay and Black Bay. Trolling crankbaits on the shallow sand and gravel has produced walleyes in Wakemup Bay. Live-bait rigs are turning fish on the west side in 16 to 22 feet as are slip bobbers and leeches on Hibbing Point during low-light periods. Deep mud seems to be key for walleyes on the east end with rigs and minnows or stickbaits on downriggers.
Lake Vermilion Guides League

MANKATO AREA
A jig and minnow pitched along the shoreline of Lake Hanska has worked great for walleyes. On Lake Washington, minnows are turning walleyes in eight to 12 feet. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on the weedlines of Lake Francis and panfish are holding in Baker’s Bay and Mud Bay on Washington.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

McGREGOR AREA
Leeches and minnows are producing walleyes at Big Sandy Lake in eight to 12 feet. Panfish are active in shallow water at Big Sandy. On Lake Minnewawa, a few walleyes are hitting minnows in 12 feet. The crappie bite has been strong in the flowage area.
Willey’s Sport Shop & Spirits
(218) 426-3382

ORTONVILLE AREA
Trolling crankbaits or spinners and crawlers in eight to 12 feet on the south end of Big Stone Lake has provided consistent walleye action. There’s also some evening action with slip bobbers and leeches along the shorelines. Daredevils are hooking pike near the Highway 75 dam on the Minnesota River. Work the shorelines of Lake Traverse with minnows for a few walleyes and pike.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA
Minnows continue to produce walleyes in 12 to 14 feet at Island Lake and Eagle Lake. Walleyes also are being caught at the dam on the Fish Hook River. Pike are hitting sucker minnows on the emerging weedlines of Long Lake and Fish Hook Lake. Panfish action remains strong on the shorelines and in the shallow bays of most small lakes.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

PERHAM AREA
Walleyes are hitting a jig and shiner minnow on most lakes in four to 10 feet. Rush Lake and Little Pine Lake have stood out this week. Look for bluegills and crappies to be shallow on area lakes.
Gene’s Sport Shop (218) 346-3355

PINE CITY AREA
Pike and panfish can be had in shallow water at Cross Lake and Lake Pokegama. The east side of Cross is producing walleyes via leeches in 12 to 18 feet, while Shad Raps or leeches are turning walleyes on the west-side points of Pokegama. The bays on the east side of Knife Lake are holding crappies and you’ll hit walleyes with leeches and bobbers along the shorelines. Work the rock piles on East Rush and West Rush lakes for walleyes.
Red’s Bait & Tackle (320) 629-1154

RED LAKE
The walleye bite is strong in five to seven feet along the north, east, and south shorelines. A jig and minnow or spinners and minnows are working best. A few limits of crappies are being taken in three to five feet along the north shore and there has been several big pike caught by walleye fishermen.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657
Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Walleyes are hitting fatheads or leeches during the day on Lake Koronis in 16 to 22 feet, while crankbaits trolled on the shorelines are working at night. Walleyes can be had with minnows at Rice Lake in 12 to 14 feet or at Cedar Island Lake and Horseshoe Lake in eight to 17 feet. Look for crappies in shallow water at Browns Lake, Eden Lake, or Rice and sunfish are hitting in five to eight feet at Carnelian Lake, Pearl Lake, and Koronis.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA
Hunter’s Bay on Big Birch Lake and the bay on Long Lake are producing sunfish. Look for crappies in Bailey’s Bay on Big Sauk Lake and the north bay on Lake Osakis. Walleyes are hitting minnows below the dam on the Sauk River, the narrows bridge on Sauk, in 12 to 15 feet at Little Birch Lake, and in 15 feet at Maple Lake. Sucker or shiner minnows are turning northern pike at Long Bridge Lake and Guerney Lake.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155

STARBUCK AREA
Shallow-running crankbaits or minnows are producing numbers of walleyes, pike, and some slab crappies at Lake Emily in four to six feet. Walleyes also can be had with a jig and minnow at the mouth of Starbuck Marina and the Lakeside Ballroom area of Lake Minnewaska in 14 to 20 feet. Crappies can be had on Minnewaska in Fish Hatchery Bay and the Starbuck Marina, while northern pike are hitting minnows on most lakes.
innewaska Bait and Tackle
(320) 239-2239

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