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 7-10-18
Not as many fishermen have been out due to the rain and extreme heat. Those that have been out shared that the lakes have warmed up quite a bit and the fish are biting. The best walleye bite has been found in the early morning or late evening in the 15-20 foot range on Nest, Norway, Eagle, Diamond and Point lakes. Pulling shad raps and plugs in the 8-15 foot range in the early evenings on Green Lake has also earned anglers some walleye. Shore fishing for panfish has been…
Fishing Report for 7-3-18
Anglers are enjoying the active fish in the Willmar Lakes Area. Sunfish and crappie can be found on almost every lake near the weed lines and in 5-10 feet of water. Search for the walleye in the 15-20 foot range. Wax worms and crawlers seem to be the most popular bait right now. Find active bass and northern pike on Eagle, Diamond, and Florida lakes. Walleye have been pulled from Diamond, Eagle, Florida, Andrew, Willmar and Foot Lakes. Enjoy the upcoming weekend with a fishing trip in the Willmar Lakes…
Fishing Report for 6-26-18
Fishing is still excellent in the Willmar Lakes Area! The most popular and active lake is Diamond Lake. The sunfish and crappie are eager to bite as well as the walleye. Search for the walleye in the 15-20 foot range for the best results. Green Lake is also producing crappie and sunfish and a few walleye in the early mornings and evenings by the Old Mill. Panfish have been located in the shallows and moving deeper toward the weed lines in the 5-10 foot range. Stick near moving water for…
Fishing Report for 6-19-18
It may take a bit to locate the walleye, but when you do they are hungry. Green Lake has anglers excited about catching large walleye with a 28 ½ inch walleye pulled last week. Most fish, including bass and northern pike, are being pulled from depths of 5-15 feet, especially when the sun’s out. On windy days, anglers are having the most success along the shallows and weed lines on area lakes. Lakes to try this week include Diamond, Eagle, Willmar, Foot, South Long, Nest and Green.
Fishing Report for 6-12-18
The walleye bite has turned on in the Willmar Lakes Area! East Solomon Lake was the most active this past week with the best presentation being a jig and a crawler. Walleyes were also taken from South Long, Eagle, Willmar, Foot, and Big Kandiyohi Lakes. Crappie, northern pike, bass and sunfish have been biting on all the area lakes. Lake temperatures are averaging 75 degrees. It’s a great time to stock up on bait at our local bait shops and head out to one of our pristine lakes for a…
Fishing Report for 6-5-18
As the water temperatures rise, the fishing action does as well in the Willmar Lakes Area! Water temperatures are well over 70 degrees in area lakes, causing the sunfish, crappie, northern pike, bass and walleye to begin their transition from spring to summer patterns. Walleye are losing interest in minnows so try jigs and live bait rigs tipped with leeches and crawlers instead. The most active walleye have been found on Solomon, South Long, Willmar, Foot and Ringo lakes. Bass and northern pike have been very active on most area…
Fishing Report for 5-29-18
Fishing has been great the last week in the Willmar Lakes Area! Sunfish, crappie and largemouth bass have been active in Diamond, Florida, Andrew, Willmar and Foot Lakes. Anglers reported a strong walleye bite on Big Kandiyohi and Wakanda lakes. Other active walleye lakes include Ringo, Solomon, and South Long. Most popular bait has been night crawlers, leeches, and wax worms. Lake temperatures are averaging 65-70 degrees and possibly warmer after this recent heat wave. It’s a great time to plan a fishing trip in the Willmar Lakes Area and…
Fishing Report for 5-22-18
What a great time to be fishing in the Willmar Lakes Area! The walleye bite turned on this past week so anglers have been eager to get out on the lakes. Wakanda, Big Kandiyohi and Lake Lillian had the most action recently. The sunfish, crappie and bass are moving up to the docks now so shore fishing has been good as well. In the past two weeks, a few large muskie have been caught on Green and Nest lakes. This week’s lakes to try are Diamond, Eagle, Florida, Andrew and…
Fishing Report for 5-8-18
The lakes have done a great job warming up this past week with most being between 55-58 degrees. Eagle and Florida lakes have had great sunfish and crappie action. Reports from anglers are also coming from Dogfish Bay on Diamond Lake, Nest Lake bay and Elkhorn bay, and West Norway Lake. As anglers get their boats out for the fishing opener we’re expecting to see more action on Green Lake. Don’t forget to stop by our local bait shops to get your 2018 fishing license before the walleye season begins!
Fishing Report for 5-3-18
Great news…all of the lakes in the Willmar Lakes Area have opened up! Green Lake had ice out early on May 2nd; in plenty of time for the Governor’s Fishing Opener! Excellent crappie and sunfish action is happening in the Nest Lake bay, the fish traps on Elkhorn and Florida and by the culverts of Willmar and Foot Lakes. Stick near the shallow water and the northern and western sides of the lakes for the warmer water temperatures and the best action. As the water warms up in the next…
Fishing Report for 4-24-18
As of the latest ice out update on Green Lake, it still has 21 inches of ice. Other smaller lakes are starting to open up. We’re hoping for continued warm weather and some wind and rain to break up some of these lakes in time for the fishing opener.
Fishing Report for 4-17-18
As of Monday, Green Lake still had 29 inches of ice on the lake with plenty of snow as well after this weekends storm. As the Willmar Lakes Area preps for hosting the Governor’s Fishing Opener May 10-13th we will keep a close eye on the ice conditions of the lakes. As for now, the non-aerated lakes still have plenty of ice for walking and four-wheelers. As always, ice conditions can be unpredictable at times so check with the local bait shops for current conditions before going out on the…