western MN fishing report updat

Fishing in the Alexandria lakes area remains good. Bass fishermen are really experiencing success fishing mid-depth flats out to the deep, emerging weedlines. Lots of baits will catch these fish. Moving baits like spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and swim jigs are good producers when light conditions are low (morning, evenings, or wind/clouds), while jigworms and Texas rigged plastics are producing under brighter conditions. Look to Lake Minnewaska for a hot bass bite, though lots of other lakes are producing now as well.

The Alexandria are walleye bite has been good as well. Reno has produced fish as has Miltona, the Alex chain, and some of the smaller lakes as well. The jig/shiner bite appears over for the year with crawlers and leeches fished on Roach Rigs being a good presentation right now. Tipping rigs with redtail chubs is also very productive currently, though finding those minnows has been difficult as high water has made it difficult for the "bait guys" to get these minnows. Water temps are in the mid- to upper-60-degree range right now. We are nearing the early summer peak right now, so this is a great time to be on the water!

The Ottertail Lake walleye bite has definitely gotten tougher in the past few days. A full moon, clear water, and an emerging mayfly hatch have made things a lot more difficult. Fish can be located on main lake structure in depths from 8- to 40-feet of water, but getting them to bite is another story! Bottom bouncers, plain snells, and crawlers are turning a few fish as are leeches or crawlers fished on long snells on traiditional slip-sinker livebait rigs. Water temps are in the mid-60 degree range. The mayfly hatch probably will mean a tough bite for a bit, but look for things to really take off again following the hatch.

Mike Frisch
Fishin' With Frisch Pro Guide Service
www.fishinwithfrisch.com
(218) 731-8141
mf4389533@gmail.com