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Fishing Reports

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Fishing is a great opportunity for recreation in Kandiyohi County for locals and visitors alike. With so many lakes, ponds, streams and the Crow River, the opportunities for angling enthusiasts are nearly endless.

Game fish found in Kandiyohi County Lakes include Sunfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Northern Pike making the Willmar Lakes Area a popular Minnesota fishing destination.

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Fishing Reports

Fishing Report for 9-24-24

Fall fishing continues to improve, with many species feeding more aggressively. Anglers should stay on the move until fish are located, then drop a jig or live bait rig tipped with a minnow. Some walleye have been found near the green weed areas which hold baitfish and others can be found in 15-25 feet of water. Bass are responding well to jigs, plastics and crank baits along the weedlines. You can also find northern pike and panfish along the edges of the weeds using crank baits and spinner baits for…

Fishing Report for 7-11-24

Fishermen have been taking advantage of the non-rainy days lately and benefiting with an active bite. Early morning and evening hours remain the best times to fish. Anglers have been pulling good numbers of sunfish and crappie from Norway and Games lakes when using wax worms and power bait. As the temperatures rise this weekend, the crappie will likely hang around the 20 foot depth during the day and closer to the shallows at night. Bass and northern pike action remains strong, especially at the deeper weeds holding baitfish. Jigs…

Tips & Techniques to Catch Walleye During Fishing Opener

Dreaming of walleye? Fishing opener is this weekend and if you’re hoping to catch Minnesota’s state fish, brush up on tips and techniques! Here are a few free resources through our Minnesota Outdoor Skills & Stewardship Series: How to catch early season walleyes with DNR fisheries staff and walleye fishing experts Walleye fishing basics on open water with walleye expert Steve Robertson Walleye fishing for beginners with Becoming An Outdoorswoman Coordinator Linda Bylander. Information from the MN DNR Newsletter

Mother’s Day Weekend Fishing Challenge

Minnesota moms: Join the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge! Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 11, through Sunday, May 12, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the Student Angler Organization and Women Anglers of Minnesota to host the challenge. To participate in the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge, moms simply need to join the Facebook group called “Minnesota Moms Fishing…

Fishing Report for 5-10-24

Reminders for a Great Season Welcome to the 2024 fishing season! These fishing outlooks contain a wide range of fisheries information compiled from local DNR Fisheries staff. You can find more information about the management, habitat and oversight work performed by area fisheries staff, and how to contact them, on the DNR area fisheries pages. We hope you have a great fishing experience. And we also encourage you to take a kid fishing or introduce someone new to fishing! Check the DNR fishing webpage The DNR has a fishing page…

Fishing Report for 11-13-23

Few reports are available as anglers put away their boats for the season. Anglers that continue to venture out, however, are being rewarded for their efforts. Jig and minnow combinations remain the best bet for walleye and crappies.

Fishing Report for 10-31-23

Anglers that continue to venture out are enjoying a great bite. Jigs or spinners tipped with a crappie minnow or a fathead should catch the most fish. Walleye and crappie anglers are finding fish in the 10-15 ft range during low light hours and at night on Norway Lake, Minnetaga Lake, Big Kandiyohi Lake and Lake Lillian. Other lakes to try this week would be Green, Willmar, Foot, and Ringo lakes.

Fishing Report for 10-17-23

The lakes have cooled and the fish are hungry! This is the perfect week to get out and do some fishing in this beautiful weather! The lakes that have cooled the most and have quite a bit of running water would be my first choice to try. These lakes include Big Kandiyohi Lake, Minnetaga Lake and Lake Elizabeth. But with the calmer winds the northern end of Green Lake would be a good bet to catch walleye in the 25-20 foot range. Foot Lake has put out some nice walleye…

Fishing Report for 10-10-23

This is a great time to enjoy some outdoor activities surrounded by beautiful fall color! Walleye are in their fall patterns, responding to jig and minnow combinations. Anglers trolling crankbaits at night are also catching walleye. Crappies have relocated to their fall locations and many will remain there until the lakes freeze. Bass remain active off the deep weed edges on most area lakes. Jigs and plastics are working well, along with slow-rolling spinnerbaits.

Fishing Report for 10-3-23

Most anglers are turning their attention to the fall walleye bite with lake temperatures ranging from 60-65 degrees. Many of the great locations for finding walleye in the spring will work in the fall as well. Stay near the weeds, moving water and concentrate on shallower waters for the larger walleye. For the best action use bottom bouncers, jigs and lindy rig presentations. For live bait, use crawlers, sucker minnows and fatheads. Just don’t be surprised if you catch a hungry northern pike as well in those locations. Some great…

Fishing Report for 9-26-23

The walleye bite is picking up in the Willmar Lakes Area but most fish remain scattered. Anglers should stay on the move until fish are located, then drop a jig or live bait rig tipped with a minnow. Some walleye have been found near the green weed areas which hold baitfish. Bass are responding well to jigs, plastics and crank baits along the weedlines. You can also find northern pike and panfish along the edges of the weeds using crank baits and spinner baits for northern pike and small plastics…

Fishing Report for 9-12-23

Fishing is sure heating up in the Willmar Lakes Area as the water temperatures start to cool. Walleye have been active between 5:30-7:30pm on Ringo, Green and Eagle lakes. Jigs and rigs tipped with minnows and night crawlers are starting to turn the majority of fish. Crappie are biting on Long Lake in 15 feet of water and should soon be biting on Foot Lake near the culverts by the fairgrounds. Big Kandiyohi Lake has been busy with active perch on the northeast side of the lake. Anglers have been…