Minnesota guide Matt Johnson of Matt Johnson Outdoors gives his latest Buzz Bite Report for the Twin Cities Area on May 16th, 2023.

Twin Cities: 5-16-2023

It was the Minnesota fishing opener this past weekend and the fishing was good.

Overall the weather was solid and the fish were biting. Water temps vary from lake to lake, but we found temps between the high fifties to low sixties on the main lake and in the shallow bays we saw temps in the high sixties.

Right now anglers can expect to catch a pile of crappies and bluegills in shallow bays on structure like wood, docks, pencil reeds, and emerging lily pads. Small jigs paired with plastics have been working great.

Largemouth bass can be found in six feet of water or less and a lot of times these fish are near or with the bluegills and crappies. They can be caught on wacky rigs, ned rigs, chatter baits, swimbaits, and jerkbaits.

For northern pike focus on shallow water flats and bays. Jerkbaits, swim baits, ned rigs, plastics, and chatter baits will catch plenty of pike.

We caught all of our walleyes on suspending jerkbaits in six to twelve feet of water, but some other good tactics including trolling, pitching a jig and minnow or jig and plastic and Lindy rigging. Target fish on hard bottom flats in six to twelve feet of water or areas with current.

This week looks pretty good weather wise and the spring fishing patterns are in full effect.

Good luck to all anglers fishing the Twin Cities area lakes this week and over the weekend!

• Matt Johnson

Website: https://mattjohnsonoutdoors.com