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 2-22-22
Anglers continue to take nice numbers of perch and some walleye on spoons tipped with whole minnows, minnow heads or plastics. Lots of fast northern pike action is also being reported throughout the area. Low light hours remain best. The weather should be very nice this weekend – head out for a final walleye fishing trip this winter as the walleye season wraps up this Sunday, Feb. 27th. Minnesota fishing licenses for 2021 expire on Monday, Feb. 28. All 2022 fishing licenses become effective Tuesday, March 1. Learn more. Minnesota…
Fishing Report for 2-11-22
The bite is improving as the month progresses. Anglers report that the panfish bite has really taken off, and there has been an increase in walleye numbers. Additional daylight and warmer temperatures seem to have revived the fish and led to more angling hours on the lakes. Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow, waxworms or plastics continue to produce the majority of fish. Frequent high winds, snowfall and subsequent drifts have made travel off the ice roads difficult on some lakes. Anglers are asked to drive slowly on…
Fishing Report for 2-2-22
The walleye bite has slowed a bit so many anglers have turned their attention to the hot panfish bite. The most successful anglers drill lots of holes away from the crowds, stay mobile and hole-hop until an active school of fish is located. Downsizing your presentation can be very helpful this time of year. Low light hours continue to be best for active fish. Panfish offer the hottest bite with lots of jumbo perch taken by anglers using small jigs or spoons tipped with a minnow. Crappies can still be…
Fishing Report for 1-20-22
Area lakes have an average of 16-19 inches of ice on them after last week’s cold spell. Stay clear of the aerators on the lakes as they can make the ice near there weaker. The walleye bite has slowed down a bit in the area, especially on Foot, Diamond, Green, Long, and East Solomon lakes. Big Kandiyohi Lake is still putting out walleye and jumbo perch. Crappie have slowed a bit, but can still be found on Foot, Nest, and Eagle lakes. When searching for Northern pike, try Nest Lake…
Fishing Report for 1-10-22
Most area lakes are between 11-15 inches of ice now and some anglers have their full size fish houses on them. However, Eagle and Green aren’t quite thick enough so we would recommend ATV and snowmobile travel only on those two lakes. Look for a great crappie and northern pike bite during the day on Point Lake between the 14-18 foot depths. Two more lakes that are great for daytime fishing are Big Kandiyohi and Minnetaga with anglers pulling both perch and walleye. Eagle Lake and Foot Lake have been…
Fishing Report for 12-28-21
Anglers are finally getting out on area lakes by walking, 4-wheelers and ATVs. The ice thickness varies greatly throughout a lake so caution should be taken when heading out. Crappie and walleye are being caught most often in the evenings on Green, Foot, Long, and Diamond lakes. Point and Eagle lakes are very popular right now with active walleye and panfish. Anglers are catching jumbo perch in the mornings on Big Kandiyohi Lake. Minnetaga and Elizabeth lakes have been very good for active walleye, however Lake Elizabeth is one of…
Fishing Report for 12-7-21
We are still waiting for some thick, solid ice to walk on. The warmer temperatures and windy days have deteriorated much of the ice that was previously made on the larger lakes.
Fishing Report for 11-30-21
The Willmar Lakes Area fishing reports have been temporarily suspended until anglers can safely walk out onto area lakes. Ice anglers are asked to be patient — ice is never 100% safe, and ice conditions can change daily, especially this time of year. Once ice is strong enough for foot travel, it is extremely important that ice anglers wear a life jacket, bring along an ice pick and rope, and tell a buddy where they plan to travel. Learn more about ice safety.
Fishing Report for 11-9-21
Not as many anglers have been out on the lakes lately as many put away their boats for the season. Anglers that continue to venture out, however, are still catching some fish. Walleye remain eager to hit jig and minnow combinations, along with minnow imitation baits. Crappie anglers are having the most success when using a jigging presentation. Northern pike remain active in the bays and along the shorelines. Trolled crank baits continue to work well. The most active lakes recently have been Minnetaga, Diamond, Green, Foot and Big Kandiyohi…
Fishing Report for 10-26-21
As the water temperatures have cooled, the fall fishing patterns have taken hold. Crappies have been active on most area lakes and can be found near the deep basin holes. Anglers with success have been using jigs tipped with minnows. The walleye have been found along the weed edges and in the 10-15 foot depths with most success taking place in the last few hours of daylight and by using a jig tipped with a minnow. The northern pike and bass continue to be active in the shallows along the…
Fishing Report for 10-19-21
Fall fishing is back on track as the water temperatures have cooled again. Look for crappie and walleye in the 15 foot depth or along the weedlines on Diamond, Big Kandiyohi, Green, Norway, Florida and Eagle lakes. Fathead minnow is the bait of choice right now. You’ll still find eager bass on Eagle Lake, active perch on Big Kandiyohi Lake and hungry sunfish on Green Lake. But the area’s most active lake for a variety of species right now (including sunfish, crappie, walleye and northern pike) is Lake Florida.
Fishing Report for 10-5-21
Fall fishing has been good despite the unseasonably warm weather. The fish should become even more eager to bite as the temperatures continue to drop. Jigs and minnows remain the most effective for multiple species of fish. Walleye anglers are having success targeting the outside edges of the deep weedlines as the weeds continue to hide bass, northern pike and panfish. Bass continue to bite on jigs with plastics as well as crank baits and spinner baits. Northern pike are also responding well to crank baits and spinner baits. For…