© 2008 Outdoors Weekly - Copyright Info

May 9, 2008

ANNANDALE - B.J.'s Bait & Tackle, Bill, west side of Clearwater Lake, between the two public accesses, www.bjsbait.com (320-274-3730) They are starting to get some crappies and sunnies in the shallow bays now, Greenshed and Turtle are a few. The water is still a little on the cold side. The crappie tourney was okay last weekend, but a little slower than in the past. For this weekend, I think it’s going to be a little slower for walleyes. The northern bite should be okay, but this area is typically a little slower to get going for eyes.

BATTLE LAKE - Ben's Bait & Tackle, Josie, Junction of Hwy 78 and 210 (218-864-5596) The ice just went out, so we should be good to go for the weekend. We haven’t heard ant reports for crappies yet, the water is a little cold. Silver Lake and Walker Lakes should be good for the walleye opener. We are hoping the DNR gets out and fixes the access before the weekend too.

BEMIDJI - Bluewater Bait & Sports, Mark Cook, 1 mile north of the Hwy 2 & 71 Intersection, www.bluewater-bait.com (218-444-2248) The beginning of this week, Bemidji was about half open, but it should be okay by the opener. Some of the smaller lakes have opened up, but we haven’t heard anything on a crappie bite yet. The water is going to be colder this opener, look for the walleyes to be up shallow.

BLACKDUCK - Timberline Sport & Tackle, Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd. (218-835-4636) ) Red Lake has opened up, the smaller lakes are opened up, Blackduck should be open by the weekend. The crappie tourney last weekend was pretty tough, not many crappies were brought in. Upper Red will be the place to go. Some guys were up looking for crappies right after the ice went out and they couldn’t keep the walleyes off their hooks.

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA - S&W Bait and Tackle - Home of Nisswa Guide League, County Road 77 just west of Highway 371, www.sandwbait.com (218-829-7010)

CHISAGO CITY - Frankie's Live Bait and Marine, Brad, Corner of Hwy 8 and CR 77, www.frankies.net (651-257-6334) All the shallow bays are full of panfish now. There are now weeds up yet, the walleyes should be in the sand flats 10-12 feet of water. We have been getting a few while trying for crappies on a slip bobber and minnow. It should be a good opener.

CROSBY - Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle, Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912) Panfish action is heating up in our favorite local hotspots. Shore fishermen have been doing well on Milford, portions of the Rabbit River and on many of the small lakes in the Recreation Area. The warmer the day, the better the bite is that evening. Some anglers have been fishing in boats on the area lakes, and having similar success. Plastics have been very productive, as have feather style jigs (Flu Flus, etc.) tipped with either a waxie or a minnow. Northern pike have been running the creeks off and on for the last couple weeks, and now should be back out in the lakes for the most part and cooperate very well on opener. The walleyes have finished spawning on most lakes and are back out as well, let’s hope for some sunshine and some wind to get those fish going!

CROSSLAKE - Holiday of Cross Lake, 35610 Cty. Rd. 66 Crosslake, Lee (218-692-2708) Still a little ice on Trout and Cross in the beginning of this week. A lot of the little lakes are open and a few crappies were caught, but that’s about it. Gull is making progress and should be open by the opener. The walleye bite is going to be tough this weekend because of the late ice out, and water temps. Pelican is busted up, should be out for the weekend. I think the crappie bite is going to be the better choice this weekend.

DULUTH - Fisherman's Corner, Scott, 7 miles north of Miller Mall on Hwy 53, www.fishycorner.com (218-729-5369) The water is opening up around here now, Grand and Fish are open, Pike will be soon. Smelting is winding down now. Loopers and steelhead are still coming in the rivers a little still, but now moving up the shores. Coho are still biting, but with the wind is has been harder. Sucker fishermen are doing well in the St. Louis River. Fish Lake and Island Lake will be some good spots for walleyes this weekend, and on the St. Louis River right below the 23 bridge things are going to be hopping.

DULUTH - Marine General, 1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior, www.marinegeneral.com (218-724-8833) Fishing continues to be very good. Coho fishing has been the best in a long time. Steelhead fishing up the shore has been the best it’s been in a decade. The loopers are biting well. The crappies are hit and miss. Smelt ending up, best in years. Spring colors are in play, metallic and oranges are producing the best. Water temp hasn’t changed much yet. The river is wide open and should be hopping as many of the lakes are just now losing their ice.

ELY-Babe's Bait and Tackle, 451 W. Sheridan St., Ely, MN, first business on the left as you are entering town of Ely from the west on Hwy 169, www.babesbait.com (218-365-6930) Grease up the reels and sharpen your hooks, the lakes are finally opening up. Some area lakes are still sporting a moderate amount of ice, but should be mostly open by the weekend. If you're flexible, there will be plenty of open waters to choose from. Our bait traps are out and we will be filling the tanks starting tomorrow. Live bait should be your first choice, as a jig and minnow can be a deadly combination at this time of year. A close second would be a Lindy style rig fished with a minnow or crawler. Try probing the water in six to fifteen feet. Tail waters or bays that are fed by a river or stream are ideal spots for post spawn fish. Practice catch and release, or be conservative in the fish that you retain, as some are not spawned out yet as the waters are still very cold. Stop in at Babes for the latest fishing conditions, and the freshest bait in the Arrowhead region.

FOREST LAKE - Mikes Bait on 8, Rich, 1/2 mile east of 35 on Hwy 8 (651-464-5150) Well, it sounds like the panfish are in spawning now. They have been getting them in the inlets and outlets and the channels on Chisago, Forest and North Center. Try using the pink, white and chartreuse flu-flu or tube jigs. We’ll be open 24 hours for the opener. We have leeches. For walleyes, the best lakes are going to be Clear, Forest and Chisago. And for the best numbers try it on South/North Center, but don’t expect any real size out there.

GREY EAGLE - Nancy's Bait & Tackle, Rex, 4 miles east of the Rock Tavern on Big Birch Lake, 4 miles west of Upsala (320-285-2405) Ice is all off now, weather is nice, people have been catching some crappies. For the walleye opener, I’d say try Big Swan or some of the shallower lakes where the water might be a little warmer. Traditionally Birch has been good and try the Mississippi river too. We will have shiners and redtails, fatheads and crappie minnows. We’ll have medium leeches by the pound, and we’ll have some jumbos too. We are looking forward to a good opener.

HACKENSACK - Swanson's Bait & Tackle, Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack, www.swansonsbait.com (218-675-6176) Most of our lakes are ice free now, the beginning of the week, by the weekend, it should be gone. But that being said, the water will be cold. Not many have been going out fishing for panfish, those that can are getting their docks out. This weekend, the lakes that have been opened for the last week, should be okay for the walleye bite. Those that are just opening up this week could be a little slower. Like Woman, Leech, and Ten Mile.

KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN - Gateway Store, Phil Hart, US Hwy 53 & Co Rd 122, 30 miles south of Int'l Falls-Canadian border, kabfishingreport.com (218-875-2121) As this report is being written, the ice is deteriorating by the hour. Above freezing temperatures and ever changing winds has been the enemy of the ice. The question everyone asks, will the ice be out by opener? My reply Kabetogama will be out hopefully by mid-week. The Kabetogama to Kettle Falls run which requires travel through Namakan remains unpredictable. Best guess for Namakan, be ice free on opener, maybe, or early the following week. Expect opener, being so close to ice out, to be unpredictable at best, for certain, jig and minnow or slip bobber and minnow to be the best offerings. Northern pike should be active and ripping up tackle, or angle for them using light northern suckers and bobber fish in shallow water. Good Luck, Happy Opener!

LAKE OF THE WOODS - Area Tourism Bureau, Denelle Hovde , near Junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette, www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com (1-800-382-FISH) The buzzes we hear around the area are boat motors getting ready for walleye action. Walleye season opens May 10 and anglers are eager to hit the open water. Rainy River is open for all boats and the lake is open a mile past Pine Island. The Northwest Angle Inlet is open and around the Islands they are seeing it break up with a channel of water already accessible. Reports from the DNR Baudette area fisheries show that the current status of the Lake of the Woods walleye fishery is good. Walleye abundance and fishery health indicators show that we have a strong population on the lake. You don’t want to miss this great walleye opener. We invite you to call now for reservations at any of our lodging facilities.

LEECH LAKE - Anderson's Resorts, Tim, www.andersonsleech-lake.com (1-800-516-0077) Ice is pulling away from the shores and hopefully by the time you are reading this I am pre-fishing my favorite spots for opener. Jig fishing is the way to start on Leech Lake tipped with fat or shiner minnow. We are looking forward to a great open water season. Come enjoy it with us!

METRO AREA EAST - Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle, Oakdale, Josh, www.blueribbonbait.com (651-777-2421)

MILLE LACS LAKE – Chris Kuduk’s Guide Service, www.kuduksguideservice.com (320-630-1761) Crappies are biting in Izatys and the harbors. The opener should be good this weekend. Be on the lookout for gill nets as the Indians lost a few. Book your summer trip now for some of the best Muskie fishing in the state.

MILLE LACS LAKE - Malmo Market, Lynwood Elliott, State Hwy 47 and 18 East, NE corner of Mille Lacs (320-684-2295) The ice is out! Unofficially Sat. May 2nd. The spring rains have brought the lake up about 7", that's great but we could use a lot more rain. Mille Lacs has a 4 fish limit this year, up to 18" and one over 28". Crappies are hitting in the bays and around docks and trees in the harbors. How is bait looking? Leeches have been slow, the recent warmer temps have really helped as the trappers are starting to bring in some nice sized leeches, and we expect to have a good supply by opener. Minnows should be fine. Shiners have been coming in a little slow as the creeks are still cool and a little fast. But we expect to have a good supply of medium sized shiners by opener. With this years late ice-out the north end sand should be your best bet, as the shallow sand warms the fastest. Night fishing is always great early. Agate reef is a great spot to anchor on. Expect to find fish anywhere from Fishers down to Hunters. They love the shallow rocks early in the season. Spring is a great time to have a friend that has a dock out on the east side. Hint, hint. Remember to check the batteries in your lighted bobbers. It should be a great opener, we all deserve it after the long hard winter we had. Have a great opener, don't forget to stop in and say hi.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Johnson's Portside, Kelly or Steve, 1 mile north of Isle on Hwy 47 SE side of the lake, www.johnsonsportside.com (320-676-3811) Here we go anglers, just a few days before the big opener, in which I think is going to be a great one. The ice conditions are, well, NONE! We now have an open lake. We are ready to take care of all your needs this weekend from license, to bait, (yes we will have leeches), to snacks and shirts. Fishing the big walleyes? You’re going to want to remember that the water temps are still mighty cold, so hang out on the shallow east side rocks. We are looking forward to seeing you this Opener, we have been busy getting the shop fully stocked and we got some great new sweatshirts already coming in. So get up here and fish and stop in and say hi.

LAKE MINNETONKA - Wayzata Bait & Tackle, Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227) The walleyes haven’t spawned yet; it’s going to be a minnow bite on the outside weedlines, working the bottom really slow. Don’t forget your crappie gear though, because they’ll be biting like crazy this weekend.

NISSWA - Dave's Sportland Bait & Tackle, Jason, 2 miles south of Nisswa at the Intersection of Hwy 371 and Cty Rd 77, next to Schaefer's Foods, www.sportlandbait.com (218-963-2401) The big weekend is now only a few days away and we are very excited.  Finally the ice has left our home waters.  What will the walleye opener bring?  It is hard to say.  We have never seen the ice go out this late in the spring.  My gut feeling is that it will not be that much different than a normal year.  I will be spending all of my time in the baitshop for the weekend helping everyone get rigged up and on the water.  The bait tanks will be full of minnows and the coolers are full of leeches and nightcrawlers.  The Governor is in town fishing up at Breezy Point.  We'll see how they fare this year.  I wish them the best.  If I had to pick a lake to start out on it would be Gull Lake or the north end sand on Mille Lacs.  On Gull I would stick to the northwest quarter of the lake.  I like a couple of techniques for the daytime bite.  A small 1/8 oz Northland Fireball jig tipped with a small shiner is a good presentation.  I like to pitch it up in the shallows and hop it back to the boat or fish it slowly along the bottom.  My other favorite technique is our old stand by, the live bait rig with a plain snelled hook tipped with a shiner.  Once it starts getting dark I like to switch to trolling with a Rapala.  A floating #11 or #13 really does the trick for walleyes along shallow flats come sundown.  I think that the best fishing over the weekend could be for crappies.  With water temps in many lakes approaching 50 degrees the crappies are really starting to turn on.  So grab a scoop of minnows and some small jigs and bobbers and head for the bays.  Stop by anytime through the weekend for the latest reports.  Like always we will be running extended hours and there will be free cookies while supplies last.

LAKE OSAKIS – Buck Point Resort on the N.W. corner of the lake, Brad, 115 miles west of Twin Cities on I-94W, take Hwy 3 North out of Osakis to Hwy 10 West, www.lakeosakisresorts.com (320-859-2530) The ice went out April 25th and the walleyes are finishing up spawning now. We should have a good opener. We have not heard much for a crappie bite up here on the north end.

PELICAN RAPIDS - Park Region Sport Shop, Lee Brenna, Intersection of Interstate 59 and 108 in downtown Pelican Rapids (218-863-5740) We’ve started fishing crappies and sunnies in the bay and they are biting okay. We have some golden shiners, but not spot tails. The walleye bite is going to be tough this weekend with the low water temps. Best bet is to look at the crappie bite. But if you are looking for the walleye, look at Prairie Lake. The ice has been out there the longest and that will probably be one of the better options around.

RAINY LAKE - Rainy Lake Tourism, www.rainylake.org (1-800-FALLS-MN) Rainy River sturgeon and northern pike fishing continues to be the main focus. There are specific regulations for sturgeon fishing and information is available at any area bait shop. The best action near International Falls is just below the dam. The ice isn’t out on Rainy Lake yet, but many areas are open and anglers have been able to put boats into Black Bay and near Ranier. Among the signs of spring are returning migratory birds, drumming grouse and budding willows.

RED WING - Ike's Bait & Tackle, Ken, 2109 Old W Main St, Red Wing (651- 388-2111) They are starting to pull plugs at the head of the lakes, shad raps 5 and 7s. The panfish are starting to get going in the backwaters too, small jig and a minnow or a small leech. We haven’t heard much on the northern bite around.

SAINT CLOUD - Stop Light Bait, 45 8th Avenue SE, St. Cloud (320-255-9689) Sunfish and crappies have started to bite again after the colder weather patterns. The Mississippi River, Briggs, Julia, Cedar Island and Cedar Lakes have been producing panfish. Fishermen are also catching catfish on the Mississippi. We have reports of ice being on many of the northern lakes. The 2008 fishing opener begins at midnight May 10th. We have a lot of new fishing tackle in stock. We will have panfish, medium and large leeches in stock. The trappers say they need more warm weather before they can get jumbo leeches. We will also have all the minnows you will need, including shiners. We will be open 24 hours Friday May 9th. And we are able to accommodate all your licensing needs.

SAINT PETER - Hermies Bait, Brad, 43539 French Hill Rd. St.Peter MN 56082 (507-931-6875) Washington has been putting out some crappies and Jefferson has been giving up some sunnies in the bays. We are looking forward to a good opener. On Lake Washington, the crappie tourney turned out really good, a two pound crappie won.

SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA - Axel's Tackle Box, Axel, 2 blocks north of Hwy 60 on Hwy 13, next to Casey’s, on Lake Sakatah in Waterville, www.axelstacklebox.com (507-362-4444) It is shaping real nice here in the Waterville area, after the last few weeks of unseasonably cold temps, the fish have rebounded nicely. Still the lagoons of Tetonka seem to be the best spot for pannies but they are also out in the main lake closer to shore. Walleyes have been caught my mistake with some good sizes along with that. Leeches are going to be sparse but I have gotten a fair amount for at least the first couple of days. All you fisherman make sure your tackle is up to snuff and most importantly, your life jackets and safety items are on board. Good luck!

UPPER RED LAKE - White Birch Resort, Monte Sharbono, vacation@whitebirchresort.net (218-835-4552) We are looking forward to a great opener up on Red. The lake is open and a few guys have been out chasing crappies with little success. But they are reporting that they can’t keep the walleyes off their hooks.

WACONIA - Mase's In Towne Marine, Cindy, corner of Lake and Elm, www.intownemarina.com (952-442-2096) Well, our ice has been out since about the 23rd of April. So we expect it to be pretty good fishing this weekend. We’ll be open 24 hours on Friday night for the opener. Your best bet is to use smaller baits with fatheads and fish shallower or by the creek mouths. That’s for both walleyes and northern. For northern, try bobber fishing with suckers. We don’t have much submerged vegetation out there to deal with. The panfish have been very active lately too, especially when the sun comes out.

WINNIBIGOSHISH – Walleye Visions, Tom Neustrom, 21622 Airport Rd, Grand Rapids www.mnfishingpros.com (218-327-2312) Holy ice flow! It's going to be nip and tuck for the ice to go out before Saturday's Opener, but I think Mother Nature will come through and free Big Winnie to make it fishable. Not since 1996 have we been in this type of a dilemma. Little Cutfoot was officially closed for walleye angling from Williams Narrows up stream to Egg Lake to protect the thousands of spawning walleyes. This is a commitment by the DNR to preserve one of the most important walleye fisheries in the state. It might be closed until the 17th of May or more depending on the conditions. Can you imagine if the opener was changed to last weekend, which was something that was proposed? What a mess that would have been now and into the future. I will predict that the walleye fishing may be a little slower on Big Winnie because of the cool water and the walleyes will probably be in the middle of the spawn. Some of the areas of Big Winnie to try will be Third River Flowage, from Stony Point to the mouth of the bay, Mallard Point, Bowens Flats just outside of the entrance to Big Cutfoot, Tamarac Bay, and the mouth of the Mississippi River where it comes into Big Winnie on the S/W side. Think light, and small when selecting the proper presentation. I've used sixteenth ounce Northland Fireball Jigs, small shiners or large crappie size minnows when the water is very cool. Move your bait slow along the bottom for best results. Have a great and safe Opener and remember to leave your bad manners somewhere else. Help your fellow anglers whenever possible.

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