The latest from area lakes

[Lee Borgersen]

       :fishing2: Report: The latest reports from area lakes and rivers.

This week's fishing report for northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.



Lake of the Woods/Rainy River


The walleye bite is strong with a jig and frozen shiner minnow in 13 to 16 feet of water. Many areas of the Rainy River, including Wheeler’s Point and in front of resorts such as Adrian’s, Ballard’s and Sportsman’s Lodge are holding fish. Good reports also are coming from farther upriver near Baudette and Clementson, Minn., and a couple of lake spots outside Pine Island and the Lighthouse Gap are producing walleyes, as well. Sturgeon action remains consistent with nightcrawlers in Four-Mile Bay and in front of the resorts. Walleye season on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River is open through Sunday, a day longer than usual because the traditional April 14 closing date falls on a weekend this year.

Devils Lake


Fishing has been up and down with the weather, reports Devils Lake guide Mark Bry. Walleyes are in transition, Bry said, and action should continue to improve as water temperatures rise and more fish move into shallow water. Areas in the current or adjacent to the moving water have produced the best results of late, Bry said. Fish also have been hitting along the Sheyenne River, he said, especially below dams or other current areas.

Red River


A few catfish were beginning to bite before the recent cold snap, and anglers also have reported catching the occasional walleye and sauger. Last week, Brian Klatt of Grand Forks released a small sturgeon while fishing north of Grand Forks. The fish measured about 2 feet in length and weighed an estimated 2 or 3 pounds. The river level Thursday in Grand Forks was at 17.46, and the water temperature was 46.4 degrees, a drop of about 6 degrees from last Friday. Look for catfish action to improve as water temperatures rebound.

Crookston area


The crappie bite on Maple Lake near Mentor, Minn., was in full swing before the recent cold snap. The action in the lake’s shallow bays should heat up again as water temperatures rise.

Upper Red Lake


The ice was off the lake the last week of March — a month earlier than normal. Northern pike are running up rivers and creeks, but season for pike and walleyes is closed until the May opener. Water temperatures in the lake have remained in the low 40-degree range, so finding crappies has been tough in the shallows. Look for the crappies to move in once the water temperature reaches the 50-degree mark.

Bemidji area


The 10-foot weedlines of Grant Lake and Little Grant Lake are producing crappies, and these fish do move into the shallower bays when the sun is out and the water warms. Crappies also are moving in and out of the shallows on Lake Andrusia — again, the bite has been best in the shallows when the sun shines and the water warms.

Cass Lake area


There hasn’t been a lot of panfish action worth noting since the ice went off, although some good-sized perch are being caught with minnows on the north side of Star Island and the north and east sides of Stony Point on Cass Lake in 6 feet of water. The few crappies being caught on area lakes are deep and suspended near traditional, shallow spring locations.

Leech Lake


Before the cold snap early this week, perch action was strong in the Federal Dam and narrows areas in 6 to 9 feet of water. Anglers also were finding bluegills and an occasional crappie in the harbors and bays throughout Shingobee Bay and Steamboat Bay.

b>Lake Winnibigoshish


There hasn’t been much fishing to report because of strong winds the past week. Once it calms and the weather warms, look for perch on the west-side points and breaks in 10 feet or less with a jig and minnow.

Detroit Lakes


Crappies and sunfish were just starting to move into their traditional spring locations on most lakes. But as the weather turned colder early this week, they headed back out to deeper water. Until it warms again, look for panfish in 10 to 12 feet as they stage outside shallow spots on lakes Melissa, Sallie, Big Detroit and Big Cormorant.

Park Rapids area

Long Lake and Fish Hook Lake are producing crappies and bluegills in less than 6 feet of water, mainly on waxworms. Some of the best crappie action is with minnows in deeper water, 10 to 15 feet, on Straight Lake and the Crow Wing chain of lakes.