In episode #1 (2019) of AnglingBuzz TV, Troy & Nick Lindner discuss big water fishing opportunities across the Upper Midwest. If you can brave the conditions, you’ll generally find more and larger fish in these bigger systems.
Welcome back to Angling Buzz! In this article, we’ll be covering some exciting fishing reports from different regions. First, we’ll head to western Minnesota, specifically the Alexandria region, where Josie Gear has been targeting panfish. Then, we’ll move to Leech Lake to hear from Brian Burrowsdoll about walleye opener. After that, we’ll head up to Lake Vermilion with Billy Rosner to prepare for the season. Finally, we’ll go east to Michigan to get a multi-species update from Captain Ben Wolf. So, let’s dive in and see what’s happening in these fishing hotspots!
Panfish Action in Western Minnesota
Josie Gear has been having some great crappie action in the Alexandria region of western Minnesota. The ice went off only a week ago, and already there are some fantastic opportunities to catch crappies and sunfish. Josie recommends targeting the north side of the lakes, as that area tends to warm up the quickest and attract the fish. She suggests using small jigs tipped with wax worms or plastics to entice the panfish. Josie also mentions that the crappies are currently in the shallows, around 3 to 5 feet of water, while the sunfish are a bit deeper, around 6 to 8 feet. So, if you’re in the Alexandria area, be sure to give panfishing a try!
Walleye Opener on Leech Lake
Now, let’s shift our focus to Leech Lake, where Brian Burrowsdoll is excited about the walleye opener. This year, anglers are allowed to keep one walleye over 20 inches, which is a change from previous years. Brian recommends jigging with a minnow, specifically spot tail shiners if you can find them. If not, Goldie’s or fat heads will work as well. He suggests targeting windswept shorelines in 4 to 8 feet of water for the best walleye action. While most of the fish will be males, there will also be a few bigger females to be found. Additionally, Brian mentions that there are jumbo perch in the karo beds or old cabbage, as well as crappies and bluegills in the warmer areas. So, if you’re planning to fish on Leech Lake, keep these tips in mind for a successful outing!
Preparing for the Season on Lake Vermilion
Moving on to Lake Vermilion, Billy Rosner is getting ready for the season and expects it to be another great year for walleye fishing. He mentions that there are strong walleye year classes and plenty of fish in the slot size range of 13 to 16 inches. Additionally, there are opportunities to catch walleye over the slot size. Billy advises anglers to not overlook their boat trailers when preparing their equipment. He suggests checking the straps, tires, wheel bearings, bunks , and lights to ensure everything is in good working order. It’s important to take care of your boat and trailer to avoid any issues while on the water. Billy also reminds anglers to check their fishing gear, including rods, reels, and tackle, to make sure everything is in good condition and ready for the season. With the walleye season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get everything in order and prepare for some great fishing on Lake Vermilion!
Multi-Species Update in Michigan
Now, let’s head east to Michigan, where Captain Ben Wolf has been on a multi-species bite. In the Lower Peninsula, the walleye season is now open, while in the Upper Peninsula, anglers have to wait until May 15th. However, due to the cold spring, the fish are still in the spawning areas and some are still spawning. This has provided anglers with the opportunity to target walleye and other species in the inland lakes. Captain Ben mentions that the Detroit River is on fire right now, with a large class of 18 to 22 inch eaters coming out of Lake Erie. Vertical jigging and hand lining have been effective techniques for targeting these walleye. Additionally, there is still great steelhead action on rivers like the Muskegon, Grand River, and Manistee. Anglers can expect to find big numbers of steelhead in the rivers, with some dropbacks and straggler chrome fish still coming in to spawn. Overall, it’s an exciting time to be fishing in Michigan!
