Recreation - Grand Rapids, MN Fishing Report

Good luck anglers!

May 7, 2012

Water temperatures are warming up nicely in the mid to high 50's, dependent on the weather; this should offer a healthy action on a variety of area lakes for the opener.  Slow down to catch panfish (crappies and bluegills); they are moving into the shallows.  Fishing guides suggest to fish with small jigs tipped with medium-sized fatheads suspended a couple of feet below a bobber.  5-15 mph wind, a 1/8 of an ounce to 1/16 of an ounce jig and a smaller minnow are perfect to set up a walleye bite even in cooler temperature water.  Suggestions to drift or back troll in 6-7 feet of water along shoreline breaks for walleyes.  In a cold front, walleyes can drop as deep as 12-15 ft.  Another tip to catch walleyes is to watch the depth finder for schools of bait fish.  To catch bluegills, head to the reeds in about 2 feet of water with a plain hook or small jig tipped with a worm and set the bobber at 16 inches.  Shiners are finally running, so it shouldn't be any problem finding them for the opener at local bait shops.  Visit Grand Rapids wishes you the best...be safe this opener.

Need a license?  Here is a quick link to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources online license sales:  https://jc.activeoutdoorsolutions.com/mn_customer/app/goHome.do.  Don't forget to print a couple copies for your boat, truck and wallet.

Make sure you are aware of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations before heading out:  http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html.

September 20, 2011

We haven't updates the reports in a while because not much had changed until recently.  A few days of cold weather last week, and cool overnights, is bringing down water temperatures on area lakes. The quick drop in temperatures temporarily slowed the fish action, but the fish are starting to adjust to the new temperatures and are edging toward their routine fall patterns. As that change happens, expect fishing to be hit and miss. Fish are on the move, so don't expect to find them in the same place every day - the key is to keep moving until you find them. Jig and minnow seems to be the best combination right now for walleye, perch, and crappies. Walleyes are showing up on Winnie in 12 to 14 feet of water and you can still find some in shallow water where rock & weed cover attract fish. Crappies on Little Cutfoot are at about 15-17, and perch are hanging out in shallow water near rock structures.


July 27, 2011

Due to warmer water temperatures, anglers are reporting some fantastic bass fishing on many area lakes. If you are looking for exciting fishing (rather than dinner) bass fishing is the way to go right now. Pokegama Lake is a great choice for bass.  If you are looking for dinner, walleyes, perch and panfish are still out there too - just into their summer patterns and you'll have to work a little for them. Surface water temperatures are into the high 70's on many area lakes including Lake Winnie, Sand and Bowstring. For walleyes, start by following the weed lines in 10-12 feet of water. If the weed lines aren't producing for you, look for the humps or bars with some gravel or rock to them. Guides are reporting walleye catches on Lindy Rigs with a light sinker (1/8 oz.) and tipped with a leech. Jigging with a minnow is producing northern pike, and crawlers are producing some nice perch.

June 21, 2011

The cool start to summer is extending the typical spring bite in the Grand Rapids area as surface water temperatures remain around 63 degrees. Walleye anglers are reporting good walleye action on lakes like Winnie (SE side in 20-25 feet of water) and Bowstring (as shallow as 8 feet of water) but don’t forget some of the smaller lakes like Pokegama, Spider, Deer, and Big Turtle. Some of those smaller lakes experience less pressure and produce good eating fish with fewer slot or size restrictions. Walleyes seem to be biting  best on jig/minnow or Lindy/leech combinations with a fairly aggressive jigging action. Spring crappie fishing has also been good in bays and on points.  Look for crappies to move to weedlines as water temperatures continue to rise.

February 25, 2011

Walleye fishing is coming to a close so enjoy your last weekend. Your best bet is finding a structure or hump in about 18 feet of water.  There have been glowing reports of perch catches on Winnie in the last week, but not much other information circulating about other regular hot spots.  Ice conditions are still holding up well with plenty of ice on area lakes.  Much of the previously reported slush on area lakes has refrozen and travel is now easier.  Your best bet for lake travel is still an ATV or snowmobile, but some areas are plowed for truck access. 

January 28th, 2011

There is still heavy snow on area lakes and it is making ice fishing somewhat difficult. Some of the larger lakes like Winnie have plowed ice roads out of some of the resorts, but the resorters usually charge an access fee and there may be limited availability so do call ahead.  A snowmobile is your best bet to get you on the ice and keep you mobile. The snow is too deep for ATV use.

Area guides are providing conflicting reports, which stands to reason this time of year. One day is great, the next - not so much. For walleyes, try 16-24 feet of water and a rattle spoon tipped with a minnow. Stay mobile to increase your odds of finding fish, even if that means drilling several holes and working the same structure. Perch action is improving in 20-25 feet of water but again, you'll need to keep moving to find food sources and willing biters. Evenings and shortly after dark are the best times, with shorter flurries of bites in the mornings.

January 10, 2011

The heavy snow on area lakes is presenting some problems for ice anglers.  There is about 16 inches of heavy compacted snow on the lakes, creating slush problems except where roads are plowed.  The actual fishing bite seems to be holding its own.  Walleyes and perch are still biting on Lake Winnie around most humps in 20-25 feet of water; best bite being early and late in the day.

Lake roads are not plowed from public access points. Most resorts on Winnie will charge $10 or so for lake access on their plowed roads. Jessie View Resort allows limited access through their resort for $5.00, and Bowstring Shores offers access for $7.00.  Sugar Lake Lodge has a fish house out for resort guest's use.

September 20, 2010

Temperatures have cooled off and fall is definitely in the air.  Water surface temperatures are staying below 59 degrees even during the day time hours now. This cooling off has prompted fish into the fall patterns as bait fish continue to concentrate (and I don't mean they are thinking really hard.)

Walleyes are being caught in 10-13 feet of water on calm days, and shallower at 4-7 feet of water of windy days.  Jug and minnow is working on walleyes, as it a crawler and Lindy rig.  Crappies are generally suspended near weeds in 10-12 feet of water and local guides are suggesting a small jib & rainbow chub to catch them.  You will likely find the sunfish hanging out with the crappies.  Right now the fish are hungry and the guides say to not be afraid of larger minnows as many fish are biting on whatever is presented to them.

 

September 2, 2010

Sumer conditions are still in effect for all types of fishing as surface water temperatures remain at around 70 degrees.  Walleye fishing is still off and on – as usual in the summer months, but the best presentation still seems to be the live bait rigs with night crawlers.  A local guide is reporting success on Pokegama Lake with the #12 Salmo Sting trolled at 2.2 MPH with 60-90 feet of line out, but we rarely endorse a specific product (unless they take me fishing) :) . Crappie fishing is very good right now on the out edges of the weed lines; or look for points, or corners close to shore that have deep water drop-offs nearby.  Most crappies like hanging around those underwater land structures and can often be found hiding near sunken trees or other debris.
 

July 28, 2010

Area guides are reporting a mixed bag of success as fish are far into their summer patterns. 

Musky sport fishing is heating up on lakes like Moose, Deer, and Cutfoot Sioux. 

Walleyes are into their late summer patterns and require you to keep moving around those typical lake structures like rock piles and bars until you find them. Live bait rigging in deeper water is producing fish – leeches seem to be the bait of choice right now but it is still a good idea to keep crawlers in the boat too. On windy days, you can fish the shallower rocks where you will get the bonus of some perch mixed in.  The recent full moon produced some excellent night fishing results on Pokegama Lake.

Sunfish and crappies continue to bite better in the evenings.  Look for sunfish at the weed lines, and crappies hiding deeper in the weeds.
 

July 15, 2010

With water temperatures now in the 70 degree range, fish are well into their mid-summer patterns.  Bait fish populations are at their peak, which has slowed walleye fishing some.  Winnie and Pokegama are still producing fish with spinners and night crawlers producing best results.  Continue to look for fish on structures in 12-25 feet of water for Pokegama Lake, and 20-26 feet of water for Winnie.  There will be a full moon on July 25^th, and some local guides say the night fishing action will heat up then.  Bass are biting on plastic worms at the weed lines and bullrush beds.  Crappie and sunfish action is still best in the evening.

July 7, 2010 

Water surface temperatures are now around the 70 degree mark on many area lakes.   On larger bodies of water, the baitfish and walleyes have moved from the bars into deeper water and can often be found suspended in 15-30 feet of water. You might still find fish on bars and humps by trolling slowly with spinner baits.  Each lake is a little different but for the most part, the fish activity pattern is about two weeks ahead of last year because of the early spring. Bass and pan fishing action has increased with the warmer temperatures. Crappie action continues to be good from 7pm until dark.

 

June 30, 2010

Walleye fishing is into the season of ups and downs as lakes are plentiful with small hatchlings and insects.  To find walleyes now, be ready to move frequently.  Look for walleyes near weeds and mid-lake humps.  Larger perch are finicky, but can be found in weeds with water depths of 6-8 feet using a jig and minnow.

Pokegama Lake is producing nice crappies and bluegills during the last two hours of the day.  For Pokegama walleyes, go for the night bite using fast action spinners.  Winnie is still showing walleye success with leeches and a 6 foot snell with a red hook.  Try locating Winnie walleyes in 18-26 feet of water near points or corners of structures to find the larger schools.
 

June 24, 2010

Storm fronts and increased food supplies due to insect and minnow hatches have made for a great week of walleye fishing. Guides are reporting the most success with a Lindy rig and night crawler, and recommend injecting a shot of air to keep the crawler off the bottom.  Leeches are also working in some presentations as are a jig and minnow.

Winnie is still producing fish as they are moving off the sandbars on the north side of the lake.  Look for them in 22-24 feet of water.  Bowstring is producing fish in 6-7 feet of water in the weeds. Sand Lake has been hit and miss but most fish are found in 10-12 feet of water on the edge of the weeds with a jig and minnow. Pokegama is producing a nice walleye bite as impressive weights were brought in during the catch and release fishing tournament on the 19^th.  Expect the night time bit to pick up on Pokegama.
 

June 9, 2010

Walleyes are starting move towards their summer patterns and anglers will need to try a variety of baits for a bite this week.  The cooler, overcast weather this week should be excellent for serious walleye seekers.  Water temps on larger and mid-sized lakes remains at 65 degrees.  Fish can be found on windy days in shallower water, sometimes 4-8 feet of water is perfect.   Deep shoreline points are holding fish in 16-24 feet of water.  A jig and minnow is still working, but some guides find that switching to a night-crawler with spinner or a slip-bobber with leech is working better on some days. 

Perch have been spotty, but good when you find them.  Look for perch and crappies near cabbage weeds.  Now that the crappies have finished spawning, they are more dispersed in the water but still tend to congregate near structure like weeds, rock piles, or fallen trees.