Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report – May 24, 2022

Report from the Dock

Last weekend’s cold front and persistent winds seemed to have slowed walleye action a bit in most areas. The majority of walleyes being caught remain shallow and still being taken with minnows, although leeches and crawlers have started to produce more fish in some areas. The forecast calls for warmer, stable weather towards the end of the week, which could mean some excellent walleye fishing over Memorial Day weekend. Crappies and sunfish are also mostly shallow, already spawning in some parts of southern Minnesota, but just moving shallow to the north where water temperatures remain relatively cool. Look to the shorelines, rice beds or bulrush stands for panfish this weekend. The best bass reports are coming from shallow water as well. Again, largemouth bass have started to spawn in some areas and staging in others. Smallmouth have yet to move up and are being found just off traditional spawning areas – mid-depth rock and sand on most lakes.

Great Eight

LAKE MILLE LACS        

East – Pre-spawn smallmouth bass action is going strong on the rocks in less than 12 feet. Walleyes are biting best during the evening hours in less than 12 feet as well. Work the reefs with slip bobbers and leeches or crankbaits. Daytime walleye activity remains slow with a few coming from 16 to 18 feet on a jig and minnow.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

West – The day bite has improved a bit on the deep rocks, 16 to 23 feet, with a jig and shiner minnow or crawler presentation. The evening/night bite has been best with a slip bobber and leech on the 10- to 23-foot rocks or north end sand as well. Smallmouth bass are in pre-spawn mode and active on Pike Point, Seguchie Point, Brown’s Point, Sherman’s Point, and Garrison Reef – minnows or plastics are working.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Most anglers are catching walleyes by vertical jigging an emerald shiner or fathead minnow – gold, glow, pink, orange, chartreuse or a combination of these colors will work well. Trolling crankbaits over shallow sand has also turned walleyes in 5 to 12 feet of water. Regardless of what technique, a lot of good fish on shallow sand this week. Some walleyes are still spawning, while others are well past that point. Different things are happening depending upon what part of the lake, bay or river you are fishing. The Rainy River still has a lot of current with the dam wide open and high water levels. Typical spots in the main channel are still tough to fish due to high current, so find current breaks adjacent to shorelines or the mouth of bays for walleyes. At the Northwest Angle, jigs and minnows are producing walleyes from 5 to  30 feet along shoreline structure, neckdown areas, and on some shallow flats are producing fish. Trolling crankbaits over the 5- to 12-foot shallow flats or sand has been productive as well.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau
    (800) 382-FISH
  

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA    

Crappies and sunfish continue to be found in 4 to 12 feet on Lake Minnetonka and Medicine Lake. Bass fishing is going strong in shallow water, mainly along the shorelines of most lakes. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 10 to 12 feet on Minnetonka and Medicine, while walleyes are also hitting minnows in 12 to 15 feet on Minnetonka.

Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

LAKE VERMILION

Walleyes continue to be caught on minnows throughout Pike Bay in 6 to 8 feet and on the reefs in Big Bay over 16 to 22 feet. A few crappies are being found along the shorelines and river mouth in Pike Bay as well. Walleye action has been slower on the west end, but some fish are being caught with minnows on shallow to mid-depth structure.

Pike Bay Lodge (218) 753-2430

Vermilion Dam Lodge (218) 666-5418

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

Consistent walleye action continues with a jig and minnow on the points and shoreline breaks throughout the lake in 10 to 15 feet. The bite is strong from north to south with areas such as Tamarack Point, Stony Point, the Bird Houses, Raven’s Point, and Mallard Point all worth hitting. Some walleyes also are being caught during the evening hours on crankbaits. Expect some perch and a few northern pike mixed in these areas as well.

Lake Winnie Resort Association                   

LEECH LAKE

Strong winds throughout the week and a cold front last weekend has slowed the walleye bite a bit. A jig and minnow is still the best option in less than 10 feet of water during low-light periods or along wind-driven points and shorelines. The Federal Dam area has provided one of the more consistent bites early this week in 5 to 7 feet. Perch continue to be mixed with the walleyes in shallow water and most bays are now producing panfish.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

Shriver’s Bait Company

(218) 547-2250

RAINY LAKE     

High water remains an issue and the no-wake boating regulation continues. The walleyes and northern pike being caught continue to be taken with minnows in shallow water. There hasn’t been a big push of smallmouth bass or crappies into the shallows at this point as water temperatures remain relatively cool. This could change quickly with some warmer weather.

RainyDaze Guide Service

(218) 290-6102

RED LAKE

A jig and spot-tail shiner continues to produce a lot of walleyes in less than 6 feet of water. The east shore seems to be most productive at this point, but look to the south and north shorelines to start holding more fish as they begin to spread out.

West Wind Resort (218) 647-8998

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO

The points and breaks in the Prescott area of the St. Croix River continue to produce walleyes and sauger in 15 to 18 feet. There’s some early morning and evening walleye action on White Bear Lake with minnows in 12 to 15 feet. Sucker minnows are turning bass on Demontreville Lake in shallow water  and the bays on Big Marine Lake are producing crappies.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle

(651) 777-2421

WEST METRO

Sunfish are being found in less than 6 feet on the southwest corner of Lake Parley and the channel or Little Minnie portion on Lake Minnewashta. The sunken island on Minnewashta is giving up crappies as well. Northern pike continue to be caught with crankbaits or sucker minnows on Lake Susan 8 feet and to the left of the access on Pierson Lake in 8 to 10 feet. Small spinnerbaits are producing numbers of bass on most lakes and carp shooting has been exceptional in the backwaters off the Crow River.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

SOUTH METRO

Anglers fishing from shore at Cedar Lake continue to catch crappies and sunfish. The shorelines or shallow vegetation on Fish Lake and Lake O’Dowd are giving up numbers of bass. Walleyes and crappies are being caught during the evening hours on Prior Lake.

Prior Lake Bait & Tackle

(952) 447-6096

LAKE WACONIA

Crappies remain shallow and active throughout Waconia Bay and bass are being caught in Reinkie’s Bay and west side pencil reeds. Northern pike are hitting crankbaits along the shorelines throughout the lake. Walleyes are also being taken with crankbaits at night in the Claybanks, north shore, and Rock Dock area in Wagener’s Bay over 6 to 10 feet.

Mases In Towne Marina

(952) 442-2096

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA

Walleyes are being taken with a jig and minnow on Reno Lake and Lake Mary in 8 to 12 feet. Look for crappies in the bays or pencil reeds on Lake Geneva, Lake Le Homme Dieu, north side of Reno, and Little Mary Lake. Bass are in pre-spawn mode and active on most lakes, with some being found shallow and others along the first shoreline break.

Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle

(320) 763-3255

BATTLE LAKE AREA

A jig and minnow continues to turn walleyes on Otter Tail Lake in 4 to 6 feet. Look for crappies on Clitherall Lake, Ten Mile Lake, Wall Lake, and Silver Lake in 8 to 10 feet – they should start moving into the reeds or other shallow areas on these lakes. Largemouth bass are active in shallow water at Elbow Lake and South Turtle Lake.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA

Lake Bemidji and Lake Plantagenet are kicking out walleyes in 10 to 12 feet on a jig and minnow. Fish are starting to disperse out to their summer areas. Northern pike are hitting just about anything and the shallow water crappie bite is going strong on small jigs tipped with minnows or plastics. 

Dick Beardsley Guide Service

(218) 556-7172

BLACKDUCK AREA

A jig and minnow is producing walleyes on Round Lake, Island Lake, and Blackduck Lake in 10 to 12 feet. Crappies are being found in shallow water or just outside of it in 6 to 10 feet at Gilstead Lake, Gull Lake, and Pimushe Lake. Look for pike in 8 to 10 feet and bass in shallower water on most lakes.

Timberline Sports and Tackle

(218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA 

A jig and shiner minnow is turning walleyes on Gull Lake, Pelican Lake, and North Long Lake in 11 to 13 feet. Crappies are moving and out of shallow water and being caught in 8 to 18 feet at North Long, Gull, Lake Margaret, and the bays on Pelican. Shiner minnows are producing pike in 10 to 12 feet on North Long, Round, and south end of Gull. Look for bass in shallow water, shorelines or bays, on most lakes.

S & W Bait & Guide Service/

Nisswa Guide League  (218) 829-7010

CASS LAKE AREA

Walleyes continue to be taken with a jig and shiner minnow in 16 to 20 feet during the day on Wolf Lake, Lake Andrusia, and the Cedar Island area on Cass Lake. The current areas between lakes on the Cass Chain continue to kick out plenty of walleyes during the evening hours. Look to Wolf, Andrusia, Cass, and Kitchi Lake for quality perch in 8 to 10 feet, while the bulrushes on Kitchi and Andrusia are giving up crappies and bluegills in less than 6 feet.

Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831              

CHISAGO AREA   

Crawlers, crankbaits, and shiner minnows are turning walleyes in 8 to 16 feet on Green Lake and South Center Lake. Work the 6- to 8-foot emerging weedbeds for crappies and bluegills at Chisago Lake and North Center Lake. Bass were shallow and active on all area lakes early this week.

Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

CROSBY AREA

Crappies are slowly starting to move shallow on area lakes, so look to the bays on Bay Lake, shorelines on Milford Lake, the Mississippi River backwaters or flooded timber on the Pennington Pit Chain. Portsmouth Pit and Pennington Pit are still producing trout, most of which remain suspended high in the water column. Walleye action has been somewhat slow with a few fish being taken on minnows at Serpent Lake and Little Rabbit Lake in 8 to 14 feet.

Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle

(218) 546-6912

DETROIT LAKES AREA

Walleyes are hitting a jig and minnow in 9 to 12 feet on most lakes, highlighted by some exceptional reports coming off Lake Sallie, Big Detroit Lake, and Lake Melissa. Northern pike are active on most lakes, but panfish reports have been light, mainly because most people are fishing walleyes. Look for crappies and sunfish in the bays or bulrush areas on local lakes.

Quality Bait and Tackle

(218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA   

Chubs are producing northern pike and a few walleyes in 3 to 6 feet on Rice Lake. Walleyes also are being taken with minnows on Boulder Lake in 10 feet and Island Lake in 15 feet. Look for crappies on Fish Lake and Boulder over 15 feet, but they should start moving shallower. Anglers fishing out of the Park Point area on Lake Superior are catching coho and king salmon on stickbaits or spoons over 30 to 40 feet. 

Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

EAST CENTRAL MN

Crappies and sunfish are being found in 7 feet at Blue Lake, Green Lake, and Eagle Lake. Walleyes are hitting minnows or leeches in 14 feet on Blue and look to the Rum River for smallmouth bass and a few walleyes. Sucker minnows are producing northern pike on Fremont Lake and Little Ann Lake in 7 feet.

Tales and Trails Sport Shop 

(763) 856-3985

ELY AREA

Walleyes continue to be caught in less than 10 feet in the current areas on Fall Lake or the rocky points and shorelines on Birch Lake and Basswood Lake. Sucker minnows are turning northern pike in the bays on Farm Lake, White Iron Lake, and Basswood. Smallmouth bass action has picked up with suspending crankbaits in the rocky bays of Shagawa Little and Little Long Lake. Anglers fishing from shore are catching rainbow trout on Miner’s Lake and Tofte Lake with small spoons or nightcrawlers under a bobber.

Arrowhead Outdoors (218) 365-5358

EMILY AREA 

Walleyes are being taken with a jig and shiner minnow in 12 feet on East Fox Lake and Lawrence Lake is kicking out sunfish in 6 feet. Hit Eagle Lake with sucker minnows for pike in 10 feet, while crappie action has picked on the north side of Washburn Lake in 6 to 8 feet.

Redding Sports and Spirits      

(218) 763-2191

FAIRMONT AREA

Yellow bass and bluegills continue to be caught in 4 to 8 feet on Hall Lake, Budd Lake, Lake Sisseton, and George Lake. A jig and minnow or crawler is producing walleyes during the day in 8 to 14 feet, but look along the shorelines at night on Hall, Budd, and Big Twin Lake. Plastics or crankbaits are triggering walleyes on Tuttle Lake in 4 feet.

Sommer Outdoors (507) 235-5225

FARIBAULT/SHIELDSVILLE AREA

Lake Mazaska continues to produce numbers of sunfish in 4 to 8 feet. Crappies and sunfish are being caught at the Shields Creek area on Shields Lake. Trolling crankbaits has produced northern pike on Cedar Lake in 10 feet and largemouth bass are being found shallow on Shields.

Lake Country Convenience & Bait

(507) 334-9711

GRAND RAPIDS/DEER RIVER AREA 

A jig and shiner minnow continues to turn walleyes on Round Lake in 4 to 10 feet, Six Mile Lake in 4 to 12 feet, and Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake in 9 to 14 feet – the mornings and evenings have been best. Look for crappies in the shallow bulrushes throughout Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake and Little Ball Club Lake. Northern pike seem to be active on most area lakes in less than 12 feet.

Fred’s Live Bait (218) 246-8710

GREY EAGLE AREA

Crappies are going on Mound Lake, Moose Lake, and Big Swan Lake in 4 to 8 feet. Big Birch Lake and Little Birch Lake are producing walleyes on a jig and spot-tail shiner in less than 8 feet of water. Bass and pike seem to be active in shallow water on most lakes.

Nancy’s Bait & Tackle (320) 285-2405

HACKENSACK AREA 

Crappies and some sunfish are being found in the bays, especially during the afternoon hours on Birch Lake, Stoney Lake, and Webb Lake. Minnows continue to produce walleyes on Woman Lake in 18 to 22 feet or shallow structure over 10 to 15 feet. Crankbaits are turning walleyes on the shorelines, shallow rocks or flats on Baby Lake. You’ll find largemouth bass in shallow water and smallmouth bass off the first shoreline break at Woman, Baby, Stoney, and Ten Mile Lake.

Swanson’s Bait and Tackle

(218) 675-6176

HUTCHINSON AREA 

Belle Lake continues to produce walleyes on minnows or leeches in 10 to 12 feet, as is Lake Marion in 5 feet. The lakes and culverts on the Crow River are giving up walleyes on minnows or plastics. A few crappies are being caught in the ditch between French Lake and Stahls Lake, but sunfish reports have been limited.

The Outpost Inc. (320) 587-8177

LAKE KABETOGAMA

The entire area continues to battle flood conditions. All public boat landings remain open, but a no-wake zone remains in place. Fishing has not been so important with area-wide flood conditions, but anglers getting out are finding big walleyes in 6 to 12 feet and eating-size fish in 25 to 35 feet. A jig and minnow is still the go to presentation.  

Gateway Store (218) 875-2121

LONGVILLE AREA

The 12- to 14-foot weeds on Woman Lake started producing a few more walleyes on jigs and small minnows. Little Boy Lake is kicking out walleyes in 8 to 12 feet late in the day on a jig and minnow as well. Look for crappies in the bulrush stands or rice beds on Lake Inguadona, Boy Lake, and Blackwater Lake.

The One Stop (218) 363-2252

MADISON LAKE AREA

On Madison Lake, a few crappies are still shallow, but most have moved deeper on Church Bar and the Miller’s Point area over 18 to 20 feet. A few walleyes are being taken during the day with spinners and leeches in 19 to 21 feet or crankbaits each evening in the narrows and Miller’s Point with plastics in 8 to 10 feet. You’ll find bluegills in East Bay over 6 feet on Madison as well. A few walleyes are being caught with minnows or small crankbaits on the north end of Eagle Lake. On Lake Washington, crappies and bluegills are hitting in the Squirrel’s Nest Point area in 6 to 9 feet and in Baker’s Bay in 14 to 16 feet. Walleyes are taking spinners with crawlers or leeches between Second and Third points in 17 feet during the day. The Grassy Island area on Washington is giving up walleyes early and late on jigs and plastics.

Corner Bait (507) 243-4464

MORA AREA

Minnows are producing walleyes and crappies on Knife Lake in 4 to 6 feet. Sunfish and crappies are going on Mud Lake and Ann Lake in 2 to 4 feet. Bass and pike action remains slow.

Jerry’s Sport & Bait Shop 

(320) 679-2151

ORTONVILLE AREA

Troll spinners and crawlers in 11 feet, a mile in either direction of Schmidt’s Landing, for walleyes on Big Stone Lake. Crappies have started to spawn on Big Stone, so you’ll find them in less than 5 feet of water. Perch and bluegills are scattered throughout Big Stone, with some in 4 to 6 feet and others slightly deeper.

Artie’s Bait (320) 839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Minnows are turning walleyes in 6 to 12 feet on Potato Lake, Island Lake, Big Sand Lake, and Upper Bottle Lake. Look for crappies in 8 to 10 feet at Boulder Lake, Little Mantrap Lake, Portage Lake, Fish Hook Lake, and north end of Long Lake. The Crow Wing Chain of Lakes started giving up a mixed bag of panfish in 5 to 8 feet.

Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

Smokey Hills Outdoors 

(218) 237-5099

PERHAM AREA

A jig and shiner minnow continues to produce walleyes on Rush Lake in 6 to 10 feet. You’ll find crappies in the bays on Big Pine Lake and Lida Lake. Bluegills and crappies are being caught in the bays and shallow shorelines throughout Star Lake.

Gene’s Sport Shop (218) 346-3355

RED WING AREA

Look for eating-size walleyes and sauger at the Head of Lakes or Bay City flats areas. Crawler harnesses or crankbaits are producing in 8 to 12 feet. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are being found shallow on Lake Pepin or the bays off the main river. 

Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

RICHMOND/ST. CLOUD AREA

A jig and minnow or crankbaits are producing walleyes and northern pike throughout the current areas on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes in less than 8 feet. Crappies and sunfish reports have been light, but look to the bays or reeds on most lakes to be holding fish. Overall, fishing pressure remains limited due to high water conditions and flooded accesses. Most lakes in this area remain in no-wake zone status as well.

Channel Marine and Sports

(320) 597-5975

SAUK CENTRE AREA

Look for crappies and sunfish in the bays on Fairy Lake, Higgins/Long Lake, Lake Osakis, Long Bridge Lake, and Maple Lake. Look to the bays on Sauk Lake for crappies and for walleyes in 6 to 8 feet – shiner or rainbow minnows are working best. Osakis started giving up a few walleyes, but you have to work a minnow slow on the edges of the flats  over 12 to 18 feet. Northern pike also are hitting minnows on most lakes in less than 12 feet.

Fletcher’s Bait Shop (320) 352-2155

STAPLES/LITTLE FALLS AREA

Walleyes and smallmouth bass continue to be caught with minnows or plastics along any current break you can find on the Mississippi River and Little Elk River. Crappies and a few sunfish are being found in the bays and shoreline areas of Lake Alexander, Fish Trap Lake, and Green Prairie Lake. 

Da Fishin’ Hole (320) 631-0056

STARBUCK AREA

Lake Emily started giving up walleyes on spinners and crawlers or crankbaits in less than 6 feet. On Lake Minnewaska, a few walleyes are being caught with a jig and minnow, crankbaits or spinners and crawlers from 6 to 15 feet. On Long Lake by Cyrus, crankbaits are turning walleyes in shallow water. The Starbuck Marina on Minnewaska continues to produce sunfish and crappies and a few crappies are being caught on Emily, accidentally by walleye anglers. 

Last Cast Bait and Tackle

(320) 239-2239

WINDOM/MARSHALL AREA

Lake Sarah, Lake Lac qui Parle, Dead Coon Lake, and Lake Benton are producing plenty of walleyes on crankbaits or leeches in 7 to 10 feet during the evening hours. Crappies remain active hitting minnows under a float in 5 to 7 feet on Lake Shetek, Bloody Lake, and Lac qui Parle.

Borch’s Sporting Goods 

(507) 532-4880