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 6-13-23
It’s been another great week for fishing in the Willmar Lakes Area! Large and smallmouth bass have been eager to bite using Rapala around 10 foot depths in Eagle Lake. Some anglers are still pulling walleye and crappie using crawlers from Eagle Lake as well. Norway Lake has been hot for walleye and largemouth bass using leeches. Long Lake is a great place to catch those walleye this week using fathead minnows. Active panfish are still being pulled from under the Nest Lake bridge as well as along the weedlines…
Fishing Report for 6-6-23
It’s a great time for fishing in the Willmar Lakes Area as the spring frenzy has hit! Water temperatures are sitting around 69 degrees on some lakes. Diamond Lake has been great for northerns on shad raps on the west side as well as bass and walleye. North Long Lake has been good for northerns in the 5-10 foot depths using a shallow running jig. Walleye have been found in the 5-10 foot depths on Solomon Lake, also using a shallow running jig. The east side of Eagle Lake has…
Fishing Report for 5-23-23
Anglers have been pulling walleye from Nest Lake and Diamond Lake using leeches. Active crappie have been found on Long Lake and Lake Florida using crawlers and waxworms. The walleye and crappie are starting to be more active in the shallows on Willmar, Foot, Andrew, and Eagle lakes. Bass are also starting to become more active by the inlet on Eagle Lake. The best spots to shore fish right now are along the highway on Ringo Lake, off the pier on Foot Lake, off the fishing pier on Games Lake,…
Fishing Report for 5-16-23
Last weekend was packed full of fishing action in the Willmar Lakes Area! Walleye action remains high around sunset and sunrise when using spot tail shiners. Popular walleye lakes this past week included Foot, Willmar, Long, Big Kandiyohi, Norway and Ringo. Nice sized crappie have been pulled from South Long Lake and Ringo Lake near the shallows as well as from shore on Foot Lake near the fairgrounds. Sunfish have been eager to bite on Lake Calhoun when using night crawlers and sucker minnows in the morning hours near the…
Fishing Report for 5-9-23
Anglers are starting to enjoy some open water fishing and continue to catch good numbers of panfish. When looking for walleye this weekend, stick to the shallow lakes such as Calhoun, East Solomon, Elizabeth, Lillian, Norway, Ringo, Willmar and Foot lakes. Don’t forget to stop by our local bait shops to get your 2023 fishing license before the walleye season begins! *** Sunray’s Bait and Tackle will open at 05:30am on Fishing Opener***
Fishing Report for 4-11-23
Not many anglers have been out lately. Those that have made it out are catching sunfish with waxworms on Lake Florida and Green Lake. As always, ice conditions can be unpredictable at times so check with the local bait shops for current conditions before going out on the ice. This week’s weather is looking promising for a lot of melting. Let’s all cross our fingers.
Fishing Report 4-4-23
Only a handful of fishermen out lately with the cold and snowy weather. Anglers have been spotted on Willmar Lake, Foot Lake and Elkhorn Lake. ATV’s and walking should still be safe on the ice, but always check for current ice conditions. Lakes with aeration are opening up, but the others aren’t. Don’t forget to head to your local bait shop and purchase your 2023 fishing license.
Fishing Report for 3-28-23
Fewer fishermen are heading out on the lakes lately. Anglers are still having success catching sunfish and crappie on George Lake, Lake Andrew, and Point Lake. The north shore is the most active for Nest Lake lately as well as the southeastern end of Diamond Lake. Check ice often as it varies greatly from one area of a lake to another.
Fishing Report for 3-14-23
Fishing has been good in the Willmar Lakes Area with nice sized perch being pulled from Lake Lillian and crappie and sunfish being pulled from Willmar and Foot Lakes. Other great lakes to check out for late winter fishing are Diamond, Eagle, Elkhorn and George lakes. While the ice remains thick on most lakes, anglers are advised that warm temperatures are taking a toll on ice conditions. According to the Minnesota DNR, ice that has thawed and refrozen is only half as strong as new ice. The DNR recommends checking…
Fishing Report for 3-3-23
Please note: Monday, March 6th at 11:59 pm is the deadline to remove permanent fish houses from lakes in the southern two-thirds of Minnesota. Don’t wait till the last minute to take them off as with all of the melting and refreezing, it may be difficult to get them free from the ice. Don’t forget that all anglers should take all their property and litter with them when leaving the lake. You can still bring your fish house out on the ice after the deadline – you just can’t leave…
Fishing Report for 2-24-23
Many anglers report some nice sized blue gills being pulled from Long Lake, active crappies from Nest Lake and many crappie and perch from Diamond Lake. Be careful when you venture out as the ice has melted and refroze a few times so it’s not as strong as it appears. Always check the ice thickness and quality as you move around the lakes. Attention all ice anglers: Fish house removal deadlines are approaching. Make a plan to bring the proper tools with you to remove your fish house safely. Leave…
Fishing Report for 2-7-23
Now’s a great time to go ice fishing in the Willmar Lakes Area! Active crappie are being pulled from Nest Lake near Camp Sanderson using Clam plastics and anything with a Wonder Bread color pattern. Foot Lake is great for catching northerns throughout the day using minnows and crappie at dusk with minnows and wax worms. Anglers have been pulling bluegills and crappie from the southeastern shoreline of Eagle Lake starting at 10 feet deep and walleye off the west point in 14-20 foot depths. Stop by Pete’s Surplus in…