Cloudy / 61° F
May 21 Fishing Reports
Published 1:58pm Thursday, May 21, 2009BATTLE LAKE
Walleyes are hitting shiner minnows in 16 to 22 feet on lakes such as Otter Tail, Big Pine, Little Pine, East Battle, West Battle, and Walker. Northern pike are active in 15 feet on West Battle, Clitherall, South Turtle, and Elbow lakes. Look for crappies in the shallows of West Battle, Mollie Stark, Stuart, Wall, Ten Mile, and Elbow lakes. The best sunfish reports are coming from the shallows of Deer Lake, Dead Lake, Blanche Lake, Stuart, and East Battle.
DETROIT LAKES
Walleyes are scattered and are hitting minnows in 15 to 20 feet at lakes Sallie, Melissa, Big Detroit, Little Detroit, Floyd, and Acorn. Panfish are moving in and out of the shal lows on Floyd, Little Detroit, Melissa, Sallie, and Deadshot Bay. Minnows continue to produce northern pike in 12 to 15 feet from Sallie, Melissa, and Big Detroit lakes.
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Shiner minnows are producing walleyes on Lake Itasca and Island Lake in nine to 12 feet. Panfish are now an easy catch in most shallow bays and shorelines with lakes such as Fish Hook, Big Mantrap, and the Crow Wing Chain providing the most numbers.
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
The river channels throughout the Horseshoe Chain continue to give up a few walleyes. You’ll also find walleyes on Rice Lake in 12 to 15 feet, and on Lake Koronis in six to 10 feet. Crappies can be had in eight to 10 feet on Horseshoe Lake, Cedar Island Lake, and Pearl Lake. Sunfish are shallower on lakes such as Becker, Grand, and Big.
SAUK CENTRE AREA
Walleyes continue to hit fatheads during the evening hours in two to eight feet at McCormick Lake. Shiner minnows are producing walleyes on Big Birch Lake in 17 feet. Look to East Long Lake, Long Bridge Lake, and Sauk Lake for crappies in shallow water. Sunfish reports are minimal, and Lake Villard remains the best option for northern pike.
WILLMAR AREA
Bobbers and leeches or shallow-running Rapalas are producing a few walleyes late in the day in less than 10 feet of water. Lakes worth noting are Diamond, Long, Elizabeth, Solomon, Florida, Willmar, and Nest. There are a few walleyes coming from deeper water on Green Lake and Eagle Lake. Panfish and northern pike action has been limited.
