Fishing Report – May 17, 2023
Leisure Outdoor Adventures
https://www.leisureoutdooradventures.com/
Opener weekend has come and gone with mixed results for many fishermen. Anglers were welcomed with fantastic weather but a tougher walleye bite due to flat calm and bright conditions.
Main Lake – the most consistent or best walleye reports on the main lake were in the Walker narrows, Hardwoods and Stoney Point areas in 7-10 ft using jig and a minnow. Keeping your line away from the boat was key due to low winds and clear conditions. Portage Bay in the Federal Dam area produced a few walleyes as the weekend progressed. Fish are just now starting to move from their spawning areas and out to your typical early season flats and shorelines.
Walker Bay – surface water temps in the bay ranged in the low 50s on saturday but had increased to the mid 50’s by the end of the weekend. A few fish were found on the shorelines in the south side of the bay towards the Shingobee Bay area. Mounds Point entering Steamboat Bay also produced a few fish in the 5-9ft depth range using a jig and minnow presentation.
The spring panfish bite is just starting to take off. Look to areas on the north and east side of all three bays (Steamboat, Sucker and Portage) and find emerging bull rushes along shorelines to find Bluegills and Crappies just starting to make beds for spawn. Small tube jigs set under a float in 2-4ft of water is a good place to start.
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