The skies are overcast and rain showers persist. Recommended Guide: Wild Country Guide Service. Depending on where you live, it can be a long haul up to Lake of the Woods, but in our opinion, it’s worth the drive. With 14,522 islands and 25,000 miles of shoreline, there is no shortage of beautiful landscape on Minnesota’s northernmost lake. The nice part about fishing Otter Tail on opener is, it doesn’t get hit nearly as hard as the other lakes on this list; and it’s not due to a lack of fish. Black Bay, Norwegian Bay and Wakemup are good areas and I would recommend finding the warmest water and starting there. Black Bay is no doubt one of the best areas if you’re looking for a place to start. It’s the biggest lake in the region, and there’s a hatchery right on the lake, so it gets it’s fair share of walleye fry each year. Test-netting on the lake last fall recorded an average of 19.1 walleyes per net, which is the third highest average in over 30 years. Minnesota's state fish is a good fighter, tastes excellent and is common throughout most of Minnesota. Leech Lake is an extremely popular destination for Minnesota Walleye Opener, and for good reason. Walleye typically spawn in shallow waters with clear rocky bottoms. In the Twin Cities metro area, lakes such as Minnetonka and Waconia are good options, as … There’s a big bumper crop of small walleyes coming up on the big pond, along with a solid population of true Minnesota trophy ‘eyes. Here's a guide to fall fishing in Minnesota's major regions. Big Pine, Little Pine and Rush Lake should all be productive as well, but based on our experience, Otter Tail is the place to be. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, “Leech Lake’s unique problem? You’re going to find a lot of fish between 8-10 feet of water. Green or orange glow spoons have been best this week. Several spawning rivers in it’s many bays should provide good concentrations of walleyes. Look for fish on the gravel and on primary shoreline points, breaks and shoreline-connected bars. This past winter, the DNR made walleye regulations less restrictive due to “high walleye abundance and large numbers of … Posted by Nick Lindner | May 2, 2019 | WALLEYE |. With cooler weather, more active fish and a beautiful backdrop of changing leaves, fall is one of the best times of year to fish in Minnesota. If you pick Rainy for walleye opener this spring, expect picturesque scenery and a lot of action! There are several things to keep in mind when you are looking for walleye in the spring. Snap Jigging Triggers Savage Walleye Strikes, How to Spinner Rig for Walleye (Advanced Tips), Spring Walleye Location – Mapping & Side Imaging, Must-Have Canadian Fishing Gear for Your Next Trip, Simple Advice for All Boat Owners for a Healthier Engine, Late Summer Fishing Products for Multi-Species Fishing, Panfish Lures and Accessories for Summer Fishing, Walleye Trolling Tackle & Gear for Success, Brainerd Lakes Area Buzz Bite Report 1-25-2021, Where You Should Put Your Yetti Fish House, Central North Dakota Buzz Bite Report 1-15-2021. Here, he relases a portly 'eye, hoping to come back and catch it another day. As the year progresses, and water temperatures rise, walleye will move out to the deeper parts of the lake. #12 Best Value of 14 Fishing Resorts in Minnesota “ The main attraction is the casino, but the location, golf course and fishing both summer and winter attract a wide range of travelers. If you’re just looking for something fun to watch, check out “Spawning Walleye – Up Close and Person“. Whether you’re searching for eater fish or a true trophy, it’s hard to go wrong with Lake of the Woods for Minnesota Walleye Opener. Each fishing technique has its own optimal lure types. Instead, you’ll want to drag them nose-hooked on a livebait rig, allowing them the freedom do what they do best: causing a ruckus and making walleyes mad. As a matter of fact, Vermilion is actually the southernmost Canadian Shield lake. The entire month of May and well into mid-June is a very popular time for anglers from around the country to head up to the lake for some premiere Minnesota fishing. June is walleye month, and Minnesota is the walleye state. Pelican Lake. You may still wedge the jig in a tight place, but the hook itself won’t snag. At Walker Bay, try Sand Point during the day in 10-12 feet of water for perch and walleye. Walleyes, Minnesota's state fish are the attraction that lures many folks into the Itasca Region. — Check out our “Bulky Walleye Jigs for Subtler Retrieves” video where Al and Dan Lindner discuss the benefits of using bigger, bulkier jigs. Recommended Guide: Capt. Recieve the latest information on new tactics, gear, fishing tips, fishing reports, and top destinations right to your inbox! Many anglers will be fishing the Rainy River and around Pine Island and the Gap, but you can have success anywhere near the river mouths and primary points, intercepting walleyes as they move back into the lake. Fishing remains very consistent throughout the lake. 9. Minnesotans are so proud of their walleye fishing that two communities – Garrison and Baudette – each claim to be the Walleye Capitol of the World. It’s typically a slip-in-the-current or anchor-in-the-mouth kind of bite. Before we dig into the lakes, here are some universal tips that will help you catch more fish on any of the fisheries on this list: Spottail shiners are always king, no matter where you decide to go. Nearly 95 % of it’s 35-mile shoreline is undeveloped, so the lake’s scenic appeal makes it an ideal location to take the family for the weekend. Minnesota's best rated fishing guides for Lake Winnibigoshish - aka Lake Winnie, Leech Lake, Red Lake, Bowstring Lake, Pokegama Lake, Sand Lake, and more near Deer River and Grand Rapids MN, offering guided fishing trips and Minnesota fishing vacations on Northcentral MN lakes. From comfortable Minnesota fishing resorts to remote Boundary Waters canoe fishing trips, Ely Minnesota has the fishing experience you are looking for. If you’re out on Winnibigoshish for opener, you might just run into walleye legend Gary Roach. Vermilion warms up slowly and because of this the shallowest bays are a great place to start fishing. Short shanks are great because they don’t get snagged up in the rocks. If you need a break from the walleyes, Mille Lacs offers the best smallmouth bass fishing in the state, bar none. And while 1,700 … Recommended Guide: Leisure Outdoor Adventures. Too many walleyes”, Fishing Clear Water with Sport Fish Michigan, Fish Species in North America — Underwater Minute. Walleye fishing in Minnesota is a tradition that brings anglers from across the country to fish Lake Winnibigoshish and Cutfoot Sioux Lake. Lake Harriet is another urban lake suitable for Minnesota ice fishing, but is located on the Minneapolis side of the Twin Cities region. It’s a jig and minnow bite and a slip bobber bite near the mouths of the rivers. Early on, anglers catch fish really shallow on shoreline breaks. Walleye waters abound in Minnesota. Here’s one for all of you in the western part of the state. Winnibigoshish is a lake that has a fantastic open-water walleye bite and is great during the winter for perch. A shiner or rainbow on a set line has also been a solid producer. Depending on the area and the size of the lake, walleye, muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass and crappie, as well as trout in the southeast Minnesota streams, are all biting. With all the fabulous options on Mille Lacs, you could do much worse for Minnesota Walleye Opener. And, River Point Resort® since 1944 has been “top notch” of the choices for Minnesota walleye fishing resorts. You’re going to have a lot of success anchoring up in those areas, and pitching out jigs tipped with minnows. With sky blue waters and spectacular forests, “Up North” in Minnesota, Lake Kabetogama is one of the best fishing lakes in the midwest. Did the governor catch anything? Local anglers offer boat rentals, guided fishing tours, resort lodgings, and other coastal activities. The crappie fishing is incredible as well, and the big pond hosts some of the biggest jumbo perch in Minnesota, if you can find them. Planning Your Minnesota Walleye Fishing Trip. "The fishing around here is good, both from shore and from boats," said Jeff Carlson, owner of Carlson Corner in Slayton. Get the latest new tactics, gear, rigging tips, fishing reports, top destinations and more delivered right to your inbox! Early December through early January at first ice is always an excellent time to enjoy active fishing and trophy walleyes and northern pike. They offer lodging, room rentals, rv sites, cabins, boat rentals, canoe & kayak rentals, as well as boat access. Lake of the Woods/ Rainy River, Minnesota. If you intend to catch these fish this summer, best to be on the water soon. A strong case could be made for east-central Minnesota's Mille Lacs Lake as the best walleye fishery in the state. One bonus: boat traffic should be down compared to past seasons with walleye being catch-and-release only this year. As the season begins, the shallow waters of Minnesota lakes are the best spots to start your walleye fishing trip. This is considered to be a gentle giant and has long been one of Northern Minnesota’s most reliable and productive fisheries. This lake is also known as Big Winnie, Lake Winnie, or simply Winni. There should be a joke here, but I can’t seem to find it.The 40,557-acre lake is fantabulous for fishing walleye, bass and muskie, especially between the beginning of June and October. Spottail shiners are the best bait, of course, but don’t worry if you can’t get them; they aren’t necessary. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources stocks the lake with walleye each year, but the lake is best known for high numbers of crappies. Red Lake is a fantastic walleye lake and arguably the best all-around fishery in Minnesota early in the season. Top Minnesota Fishing Charters & Tours: See reviews and photos of fishing charters & tours in Minnesota, United States on Tripadvisor. Fishing lake kabetogama minnesota b in grand rapids mn a minnesota vacation at maple ridge resort june is walleye month minnesota the every state walleye record in americaBest Walleye Lakes In Minnesota Why Rainy Lake Stands OutTop 8 Lakes For Minnesota Walleye Opener AnglingbuzzTop 8 Lakes For Minnesota Walleye Opener AnglingbuzzTrophy Walleye Lakes Best Fishing … The lakes on this list are so good that you don’t need them to catch fish, but if you can get them, DO IT! The Minnesota Walleye Opener is a holiday as big as Christmas for many fishermen in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The benefit of using a bobber is that you’ll catch the occasional crappie, and on Red Lake, they grow them BIG. Last winter, there were a lot of 14-17 inch walleyes showing up, just below the 18-23 inch protected slot, so there will be a lot of good action for eater fish this spring. The 13,725-acre lake is the largest in Otter Tail County and is surrounded by well-developed shorelines. As is the case on most of these lakes, spottail shiners are your best bet. This lake is among Minnesota’s most popular, and was chosen as the location of the 2005 Governor’s Fishing Opener. If you’ve spent time fishing in Canada, you’ll feel right at home on Lake Vermilion with it’s beautiful scenery and mazes of rocky structure. "June is the month when the walleye … The lake is probably as good right now as it’s been in the past 20 years, with numbers of keeper fish and a tons of bigger slots. Recommended Guide: RainyDaze Guide Service. While it doesn’t get the same kind of attention as it’s sister fishery, Lake of the Woods, it is a true walleye factory in it’s own right. If you’re fishing rocks, try a jig with a short-shank hook, like Northland’s Fire-Ball Jig or VMC’s Hammer Head Jig. Tim “Wingnut” Hill. It’s one of the best locations for walleye fishing in the state, but you’ll also find plenty of pike, crappies, and largemouths. In a past interview, Mr. Walleye had this to say about the lake: “I like Winnie so much I bought me a cabin on that lake.”. In the southern part of the state, the Fairmont Chain of Lakes near the city of Fairmont and Lake Washington just north of Mankato are good places to try. Walleye Fishing Tips : Fishing on Minnesota's Mille Lacs Lake To start this off I must confess that I am a lady who happens to love walleye fishing. Throwing jigs tipped with minnows around the mouths is always a good bet during on Vermilion during Minnesota Walleye Opener. Brian Brosdahl recommends a gold Fireball Jig or a bubble gum RZ jig tipped with an emerald shiner. Lake of the Woods and Mille Lacs Lake both compete for the title of “Walleye Capital of the World” and both are worthy of the name. Read on to see our picks for the best walleye lures available. A very big lake with a huge population of walleyes. It’s probably the best spawning walleye footage you’ve ever seen. As is the case for many of the lakes on this list, spring anglers do really well at the entrances and exits of rivers. Bleeding Walleyes for Better Fillets (Side-by-Side Comp... Northern Pike Y-Bone Removal — Made Easy! There are a lot of walleyes in this lake with opportunities for both eater size fish and big fish. If action is what you’re seeking, that’s what you’ll get on Red. The best depth range tends to be around 4-6 feet this time of year. This lake from Kochingching County is one of the most outstanding fishing havens in Minnesota with its vast supply of Northern pike, walleye, crappie, and smallmouth bass. This past winter, the DNR made walleye regulations less restrictive due to “high walleye abundance and large numbers of fish from 12 to 21 inches.”. If you can’t get emerald shiners, fatheads or rainbows work. A weighted jig is an ideal choice for ice-fishing in winter, for example, while a spinnerbait is a good option when fishing amongst feeding walleye in areas of dense cover. You’re going to find a lot of fish scattered throughout the shorelines on both the north and south sides of the lake. Shiners work great on Red Lake; drag them, jig them or put them below a bobber. Birch Lake has long been considered a premier Minnesota walleye fishing lake with its 20-miles of virtually undeveloped wilderness shoreline offering little fishing pressure–unlike other area lakes–plus, a myriad of rocky points, bays, inlets, and islands to fish. That said, the fishing is so good that you really don’t need them. Looking for some tips and tricks to help you catch more fish during the Minnesota Walleye Opener? Through the years Lake Winnie has become known as "the" lake to fish for jumbo perch through the ice. Log in, Minnesota Fishing Reports – Most Current 10, February going out with a bang...New ncor Video, New Humminbird Onix 10 ci si combo cross touch, National Championship Bloodline English Springer Spaniel Puppies, English Springer Spaniel Puppies For Sale. Local sources claim that spottail shiners are your best option, and anything else is a distant, distant second as far as bait choice is concerned. We want to extend a special thanks to Brian Brosdahl for providing a ton of great information for this article. Lake Winnie offers great structure and has large numbers of Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Crappie, Jumbo Perch and panfish. Now onto the list (in no particular order)…. When you’re talking about the best walleye lakes in Minnesota, Mille Lacs Lake needs to be in the discussion. Read on to find your perfect fishing paradise! If you’re a walleye angler and that doesn’t peak your interest, I don’t know what will! According to Brian Brosdahl, “A spottail is a guaranteed bite.” You heard it here first, folks. Six Best Bets for Minnesota Walleye Fishing Tom Brunz is a self-proclaimed river rat who follows the post-spawn migrations of trophy walleyes and saugers in the lower Mississippi each May. That's right, in Minnesota, Walleyes are a real crowd pleaser and because the passion for walleye fishing is so intense, they have become my top specialty. A great area to start is in Cutfoot Sioux, working the shallow shoreline breaks from Williams Narrows to the mouth. If action is what you’re seeking, that’s what you’ll get on Red. When it comes to the best walleye fishing in Minnesota, few lakes enjoy the great reputation Lake Winnibigoshish has as Minnesota's premier world-class walleye fishing lake. Gold is an excellent color on Lake of the Woods, as is pink. The stretch of the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to Grant Coulee Dam is actually a series of reservoirs that create some of the best walleye habitat in the country. Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota can produce some of the finest walleye fishing around. Big Rainy Lake is the “other” bookend walleye fishery on the Minnesota/Ontario border. This year, the big day falls on May 14th and all signs are pointing to another productive opening weekend. A couple years back, the Star Tribune wrote an article about the lake titled: “Leech Lake’s unique problem? Winter Fishing in Minnesota Winter fishing on Lake of the Woods is the best you can find. Enjoy! Ely Minnesota has some of the best smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, and lake trout fishing in Minnesota and the upper Midwest. ... “ Even during the lull of the ice season Phil was able to put us on some big walleye and landed a nice pike as an added bonus! The skies are overcast and rain showers persist. If you decide to launch your boat on Leech this spring, you’ll have some good fishing to look forward to. Despite all of the bad pub surrounding the lake over the past year, walleye fishing is still VERY good — take it from us. With miles of undeveloped shoreline and plenty of underwater structure, Lake Winnie and Cutfoot Sioux Lake are an angler’s dream. A popular destination for multi-species fishing, the 8,000-acre Pelican Lake is a dream come true for serious anglers. Otter Tail Lake has a MASSIVE amount walleye in it, plain and simple. Red Lake is a fantastic walleye lake and arguably the best all-around fishery in Minnesota early in the season. Otter Tail Lake is one of the top walleye lakes in the state of Minnesota. This massive natural lake in northern Minnesota has gotten a lot of attention in recent years for great walleye fishing but this lake just seems to get more solid each year. 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