Minnesota has more big walleyes in more lakes and rivers than any state. What's more, these fish can be caught not only in spring, just after spawning, when they are still congregated, but even now, in midsummer.
Here are just five of the many Minnesota lakes and rivers where trophy walleyes — fish weighing 8 pounds and more — can be caught this week by anglers who are skilled, lucky or both.
• Pool 2 of the Mississippi: From upriver of the Hastings Dam to the Ford Dam in St. Paul, this stretch of the river hides hawg walleyes. Jigs and minnows or leeches work, as does trolling crankbaits. Launch your boat just downstream of the Interstate 494 bridge (fishing upstream or down from there), at Hidden Falls Park or any of the other dozen or so Pool 2 accesses. Caution is advised because of recent rains. Look for obvious structure (deadfalls, islands, etc.) and jig along current lines.
• Mille Lacs: This lake might not be the walleye factory it once was. But Mille Lacs still has big walleyes, with fish measuring 27 inches and longer fairly common. Maps showing names and locations of the lake's mud flats are readily available. Fish are more likely to be on top of the flats in early morning and evening, and along the edges in hours of brighter daylight. Try leeches with slip bobbers or sliding-sinker rigs with snells 6-8 feet long.
• Whitefish: Popular among bass anglers, this lake and the lakes connected to it are sleeper walleye fisheries. Big fish particularly are vulnerable in the shadows between evening and nighttime. Try long-lining Shad Raps over and along mid-lake structures. If possible, run multiple lines, choosing baits that run at various depths. Baits clipped to planing boards likely will fool the biggest walleyes.
• Lake of the Woods: One of the world's great lakes, this body of water boasts not only big walleyes, but also gigantic lake trout, muskies, smallmouth bass and sturgeon. Great fishing is available along the south shore, not far from Baudette or Warroad. Trips to the lake's Northwest Angle also can yield limits of walleyes.
• Rainy: Another highly productive border fishery, this lake is considered Mecca by many Southern bass anglers who love tossing plugs and other baits toward its rocky shorelines. But walleye anglers also come to Rainy in droves in midsummer, jigging or 'rigging its many mid-lake humps and other underwater structure. Walleye limits are common. Some will be big. The lake's rugged beauty is a bonus.
Dennis Anderson danderson@startribune.com
