Captain Josh Hagemeister from Minnesota Fishing Guide Service gives us his latest Central Minnesota fishing report on June 26th, 2024.
Central Minnesota Fishing Report: 6-26-24:
Fishing has been awesome for a variety of species including walleye, bass, and panfish. July is almost here and it’s bringing the summer water temperatures and patterns.
Central Minnesota Fishing: Weed Bite
With the mild winter and high water the weed growth has been dense this year on most lakes. The fish are loving the weeds and using them as the weed beds have grown up over the last month. Everything is using the newly formed cabbage beds. Northern pike, bass, walleye, and panfish are all sitting in roughly the same area right now. That is going to be anywhere from six to twelve feet of water depending on what lake you are fishing. The key has been to find to good weeds. If you can find good clean cabbage there should be something close by.
Central Minnesota Fishing: Bass
The bass bite has been fantastic the past few weeks. We’ve had a lot of success ripping Rapala Rippin’ Raps through the weeds. Both the size six and seven are producing bites. The key is to make long cast and work the bait right along the tops of the weeds. Let the rattles do their work attracting fish to the bait. The bass have been hitting it violently and best color has been gold.
Northern pike haven’t been a target species but we’ve been catching plenty catching while chasing walleye and bass. For those wanting to chase pike fish the same areas as bass, but focus on the weed edge. Rippin Raps, spinnerbaits, swimbaits and crankbaits are all good options for northern pike.
Central Minnesota Fishing : Panfish
A perch colored Ultra-light Rippin’ Rap has been the hot lure when fishing for crappies. We’ve been working this bait along the tops of the weed beds. We’ve also ran into some nicer sized bluegills doing this as well. It’s been a similar bite to the bass just downsized for the panfish. Perch color is hot as the perch fry hatch is occurring, matching the nature forage In the lake. Use a fast action rod to really help rip through those weeds and get a quick hookset. Target weed beds and weed lines in twelve feet of water or less.
Central Minnesota Fishing: Walleyes
Snap jigging through the cabbage has been the most effective tactic recently. Walleye love to use weeds and with the extreme growth this year they have been sitting in it. Our best bait has been a jig and paddle tail/ swimbait, however a hair jig will also produce bites. The key to getting those weed walleyes to bite is to give your bait an erratic action. 1/4-ounce jig head paired with a three or four inch plastics has been working best.
