Minnesota is known for its 10,000 Lakes and outstanding Walleye fishing.  There are plenty of other fishing species to target in Minnesota; like Northern Pike, Muskie, and Bass, but no other fish gets targeted more in Minnesota than Walleye. Walleye are easy to fillet and they taste great which makes them the favorite of many anglers.

Some of the Top Minnesota Walleye fishing lakes are Lake Mille Lacs, Lake Winnibigoshish(Lake Winnie), Leech Lake, Upper Red Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lake Vermilion and Rainy Lake.

Lake Mille Lacs is a huge lake with over 132,000 acres of water to fish. The lake has a maximum depth of 40 feet, but there are a number of shallow mud flats on the north end of the lake that hold lots of walleye.

Lake of the Woods is one of the most popular fishing destinations in Minnesota and the entire midwest. This lake is located on the border of Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. The lake is very big as it covers over 65,000 miles of shoreline. You will also see plenty of wildlife and pristine wilderness around the lake. The portion of this lake that is located within Minnesota is known more for its walleye and northern pike fishing, although you can also catch plenty of perch to go along with an occasional smallmouth bass. The Rainy River is also nearby and the fishing can be incredible during the spring for spawning walleye. The Rainy River connects Lake of the Woods to Rainy Lake. If you can plan a trip to Lake of the Woods in the spring, spend a couple of days in the river and you will have some excellent fishing opportunities.

Rainy Lake is located in the northern part of Minnesota and there are plenty of walleye to catch in this lake. There are lots of walleye with tons of scenery to give you the ultimate Minnesota fishing experience. Crankbaits that resemble perch do very well on Rainy Lake. This lake is also very popular for houseboating in the summer time.

Leech Lake is a very popular lake for MN fishing vacations. There are plenty of weed lines to go along with some flats, and deep water humps that will hold walleye. It is very common to catch big perch and northern pike in the same spots that you will be catching your walleye on this lake.

Lake Winnibigoshish, also called Lake Winnie, is an excellent walleye lake. This is another big lake, but there are plenty of walleye and a very good northern pike fishery. There are a lot of pike in the 20 to 29 inch range with 30 to 35 inch fish being common.

Minnesota Ice Fishing Reports

Lake Mille Lacs MN Ice Fishing

Walleye bite still going strong on Mille Lacs. Try jigging spoons, minnow heads, waxworms. Sherman's Flats, Busters Flats have been good. Also 7 mile, 8 mile and 9 mile, and the cut on Sherman's flat. 7 mile to 8 mile flats "fish off the edge" with jiggin spoons. Tip with minnow heads and wax worms. Also try shermans flat. Roads outta North Star Resort at Wigmam Bay anglers are getting perch in the middle of the bay. Lots of big jumbos. Off of Brown's Point, anglers catching perch.

Lake Minnetonka MN Ice Fishing

Walleyes are in deeper water, from 24-45 feet. Try using rainbows right off the bottom. Pike are up in the weed edge, 22-24 feet. Crappies in the deep holes, suspended, 4 feet off the bottom. Some nice sunnies in the weeds. Try eurolarvae with small jigs and light line. The ice is good in all bays, about 15-18 feet.

Rainy Lake MN Ice Fishing

Walleye are being caught near Steamboat Island and the mouth of Cranberry Bay in about 30 feet of water. Walleye are still hitting in Sand Bay as well. There are more roads opened now and that has led to people trying some different structure. The bite is best near the end of daylight and a jig and minnow seems to be working best. Some big northern are being pulled through the ice near Rainy Lake City. Big minnows work best for the big northern.  Reports on the crappie bite have been sporadic, but when you find the crappie, you stand a good chance of getting some very nice sized fish.

Lake Kabetogama MN Ice Fishing

Walleye anglers have had the best success in the early evening houses, and just after dark, minnows and glow jigs, or a light ball head jig with a minnow head may suffice. Pike fishermen still spearing with some success or a good option is tip-ups with small sucker minnows. Crappies still on leave waiting for warmer weather before they show up.

Upper Red Lake MN Ice Fishing

For walleyes, try jigging spoons.

Lake Waconia MN Ice Fishing

Action around Center Reef and Pillsbury Reef, but anglers are spreading out further to the north as well. Some folks have been having success in as little as 9 feet of water, but the average still remains 11-14 feet. With the warmer temps, crappies on Waconia tend to suspend 5 or more feet off the bottom in these deeper water areas. Most anglers continue to fish near weeds in 12 to 14 feet of water closer to Pillsbury Reef and Center Reef, but the action has been inconsistent. Continuing to hear good walleye reports from anglers. Both shiner minnows and fatheads have been working. Anglers have been spreading out all over the lake for the walleyes. Areas such as North Reef, Kegs Reef, Anderson's Reef and Cemetery Reef have been good spots to try to get away from the traffic. The main thing consistently heard is that most of the walleyes have been coming between 13 to 18 feet of water. The Northern Pike bite has improved this year compared to the previous few. Those having the most success have been putting time on the water. Sucker minnows have been the bait of choice. Center Reef and Pillsbury continue to produce the majority of northern being reported.

Brainerd Lake Area Ice Fishing

Fish for crappies 20-35 feet deep. Try a blue jig, rosie red minnow or waxworm. Gull, Hubert best lakes. Walleye action decent from 20-40 feet on jigging spoons tipped with a minnow or a red hook with a rainbow or a shiner. North Long or Pelican best lakes. Sunnies and pike are shallow, try nice size sucker minnows. For sunnies use a glow hook with eurolarvae or a waxworm. Panfish are shallow. For the Brainerd contest this weekend on Gull Lake , try glow jigs or a jigging spoon with a shiner or a rosie red minnow, in deeper water.

Chisago Lake Area Ice Fishing

Walleyes hitting on South Lindstrom from 18-20 feet of water, south side. Walleye biting on North Center on Nelson's Bar, 18-20 feet. South Center, try fishing off of Needle Point in deeper water, in the center of the lake, getting walleyes, 20-25 feet. Big pike hot on on Sunrise. Panfish best on the south end of Chisago, sunfish best out of Chisago, fishing off the A-frame early a.m, 8-12 mornings. Crappies going on the center of Chisago, get away from the crowd, 24-28 feet of water. South Center, around Pancake Island, try tip-up fishing for pike. Sunnies going there during the day.

Leech Lake MN Ice Fishing

The last hour of sunlight is when you want to be out for walleye. Pine and Ottertail points are very active. Sand Point and Boy Bay are working great for perch. Shingobee Bay is still producing panfish with mixed size reports.

Lake of the Woods MN Ice Fishing

Fish are biting on anything glowing and shiny in depths of 32-34 feet of water. Walleye sizes are ranging from 16-18 inches and saugers have been good size as well. Many resorts are pulling their houses more north towards the reefs, but many are still staying west of Pine Island, Morris Point and north of Zippel Bay. Most parties are limiting out with releasing some walleyes the size of 21, 22, 24 and 27 inches.

Minnesota Walleye Fishing Tips

1. When fishing Minnesota Lakes during the summer for walleyes there are generally two bites going on, a shallow water bite, and a deep water bite. If the shallows don't produce, trying fishing the deep water bite. Try primary and secondary points that head out into deep water, humps, underwater islands, rock bars and drop-offs.

2. Walleyes in shallower water will most often relate to weeds. These weeds both reduce the intensity of the sun light and offer the walleye cover to ambush minnows from. To fish the edge of a weed-line simply position your boat parallel to the break and cast your lure so it runs right next to the weed-line. To fish weeds that lie several feet below the surface, simple cast or troll shallow-running crankbaits or spoons right over top.

3. When fishing crankbaits for walleyes be sure to experiment with the type of action, size, and color of the lure. Crankbaits with a narrow lip will have a more subtle action versus crankbaits with a wider lip.  Natural colors are best in clear water with Fire Tiger being a good choice for stained water.

4. Trolling speed is very important when fishing walleyes. In colder waters a very slow speed is often the most effective, while faster speeds can trigger more active fish during the summer months. In either case be sure to note and repeat your trolling speed when catching a fish.

5. A good fishing rod for jigging and casting for walleyes should be a medium to medium-heavy 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet long that is medium to fast action. You want some flexibility in the tip, but to much flexibility will reduce the anglers amount of feel.

6. Match your choice of live bait to the season. Minnows are most effective during the winter, spring, and fall. In the summer time it's hard to beat night crawlers and leeches. Leopard frogs can also be effective in the fall.

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