Spicer Area Fisheries Pre-Season Forecast – April 2026

Spicer Area Fisheries – covering Kandiyohi County and portions of surrounding counties including Stearns, Swift, Chippewa, Yellow Medicine, Lyon, and Lac Qui Parle.

As of this writing (April 21, 2026), it appears that spring may be here for good this time after rollercoaster temperatures and weather. Ice-out occurred slightly earlier than average with water temperatures now again on the rise as the area’s cool water fish species (northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, white sucker) are either finished with their annual spawning activities or nearly so. There was no indication of winterkill in area lakes this past winter. The Spicer Area Fisheries and New London Hatchery staff had a record walleye egg-take this season getting our quota of 325 quarts (110,000 eggs per quart) in just 1 week from April 10-17 utilizing the tremendous walleye factory that Lake Koronis and Rice Lake near Paynesville, MN are. As the shallows warm, crappie, sunfish and bass will be actively feeding gearing up for their spawn in another 3-4 weeks. Now is the time to target those panfish species, particularly in those shallow bays and shoreline areas where water warms first in addition to largemouth and smallmouth bass early season opportunities this season where it is now legal to target them on a catch-and-release basis until the traditional largemouth and smallmouth bass harvest period. Fishing activity will ramp up a second time in about a month beginning with the May 9th walleye and northern pike opener where the Spicer fisheries management area offers several quality angling options for yet another great Minnesota fishing opener.

Spring conditions will play a major role in early season success and whether to choose a shallower or deeper lake for the opener is always a big decision. The Spicer area offers a variety of lake types of all sizes and depths. Shallow lakes, protected bays, and areas with inflowing water will warm first and concentrate fish. For most Minnesota openers, anglers should pay close attention to these areas regardless of which lake they choose.

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Walleye

Lakes where recent (2023–2025) fisheries surveys indicate strong populations of quality-sized walleyes include Koronis, Diamond, Florida, Cottonwood, Rice, Green, Willmar and Big Kandiyohi.

Koronis continues to provide the best overall size structure, while Diamond and Florida offer an excellent balance of numbers and quality fish. Green Lake is back in play with multiple strong year-classes recruited to the fishery in recent years. Cottonwood and Willmar (including connected Foot Lake) should be reliable early season choices in 2026 due to their shallow depth and rapid warming. Big Kandiyohi provides strong potential due to recent potential strong recruitment as measured by fall electrofishing sampling from the annual walleye fry stocking regiment.

Early season success will depend heavily on targeting shallow warming areas. Lakes with bays that warm quickly, or inlets bring in warmer water will often produce the best fishing, especially during cooler spring conditions.

Shore-fishing – Florida and Koronis outlets, Ringo northeast shoreline, West Norway inlet near public access, and Foot and Willmar lakes providing multiple shore-fishing locations are all strong early-season options as is under the Highway 23 bridge on Nest Lake and the shore fishing platforms at the Green Lake outlet.

Basic techniques – Early season walleyes can be effectively targeted with a jig and minnow (1/8–1/4 oz) along shallow shorelines, wind-blown banks, and near inlets. A slip bobber with a leech or minnow is very effective in calmer conditions, especially around shallow structure and emerging vegetation. Casting shallow-running crankbaits or swimbaits during low-light periods can also produce fish. As water warms, gradually move to the first break lines and transition areas just outside shallow bays.

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Northern Pike

Lakes with the best current combination of size and abundance based on recent surveys include Rice, Koronis, Willmar, East Solomon and Calhoun. Rice stands out for both number of large fish and trophy potential. Koronis also provides excellent size structure, while Willmar offers a strong combination of abundance and quality fish. East Solomon continues to improve and provides good opportunities for quality sized pike.

Regulations Reminder – Most area lakes fall under North Central Zone regulations (10 fish, 22–26 inch protected slot, 2 over 26 inches). Cottonwood, Wood, Tyson, Lady Slipper and School Grove are managed under Southern Zone regulations (2 fish, 24-inch minimum).

Shore-fishing – Florida and Koronis outlets, Ringo northeast shoreline, Foot and Willmar lake’s multiple locations, New London Mill Pond and bridge crossings, Lake Calhoun public access and dam(s).

Basic techniques – Early season northern pike can be effectively targeted using large minnows under a bobber in shallow bays and near emerging vegetation. Casting spoons, spinnerbaits, or shallow-running crankbaits along shoreline cover and wind-blown areas is also very effective. As water temperatures increase, pike will often position along the first break or weed edge where slow presentations with swimbaits or suspended bait can produce larger fish.

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Crappie

Diamond and Willmar currently provide some of the best combinations of size and abundance, while Norway offers a well-balanced population. Rice continues to show strong recruitment, maintaining one of the area’s most consistent crappie fisheries while downstream Koronis remains a viable option.

Spring crappie fishing is typically best in shallow bays, especially areas with dark bottoms that warm quickly. Inlets and protected shorelines can concentrate fish early.

Basic techniques – Small jigs (1/32–1/16 oz) tipped with a crappie minnow or soft plastic under a slip bobber are very effective in shallow water. Casting small plastics or tube jigs and slowly retrieving them just above emerging vegetation also works well. During calm conditions, a slow vertical presentation around docks, brush, or shoreline cover can be productive. As fish move slightly deeper, try a light jig-and-minnow combination along the first break or edge of developing weeds.

Shore-fishing – West Norway inlet near public access, Ringo shoreline, New London Mill Pond and bridge crossings, and multiple shore-fishing locations on Foot and Willmar lakes.

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Bluegill

Several lakes in the Spicer Area are managed under local experimental sunfish regulations designed to improve size structure. These regulations include reduced daily limits on sunfish and/or crappie and are in place on lakes such as Diamond and George (5 sunfish daily limit) and Nest, Florida and Long Lake (near Hawick) (10 sunfish daily limit), with George also having a 5-crappie daily limit. Anglers should be aware of and follow these regulations when fishing these waters. Lakes with the best overall bluegill size structure include Henderson and Long Hawick, with Nest providing high numbers of fish. Florida and George show strong developing populations. Diamond and Green lakes can produce some of the largest bluegill in the area, although these fish occur at lower densities and can be more difficult to locate.

Spring fishing is best in shallow protected bays and dark-bottom areas that warm quickly.

Basic techniques – A small hook or jig (1/64–1/32 oz) tipped with a waxworm, spike, or small piece of nightcrawler under a bobber is very effective for bluegills in shallow water. Light line and slow presentations are key. In slightly deeper water, try slowly retrieving a small jig or plastic along weed edges or around shoreline cover. As fish become more active, casting and slowly working small plastics can help locate larger fish.

Shore-fishing – Elkhorn lagoon, protected bays, and shallow backwater areas provide good early-season opportunities. Green Lake outlet area, public access at Long Lake Hawick, Highway 23 bay on Nest Lake, and Florida outlet all provide excellent opportunities.

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Yellow Perch

Cottonwood offers the best opportunity for “jumbo” perch. Tyson, Big Kandiyohi and Wakanda provide strong numbers and developing size structure, while Minnetaga supports a smaller but present population of larger fish.

Early season perch fishing is best in shallow areas and near inlets before fish move deeper later in the season.

Basic techniques – Jumbo perch can be effectively targeted using small jigs (1/32–1/16 oz) tipped with a fathead minnow, waxworm, or piece of nightcrawler. Fishing under a slip bobber in shallow bays or along shoreline cover works well early in the season. As fish begin to move deeper, slowly drifting or casting jigs along weed edges and break lines can be very effective. Small spoons or blade baits can also help locate schools of larger perch.

Shore-fishing – Cottonwood and Minnetaga lakes both offer legal shore fishing or road access as does Kandiyohi County Park 1 on the southwest side of Big Kandiyohi Lake.

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Bass (Catch and Release now year-round)

Camp, East Solomon, Monson and Games lakes currently provide the best largemouth bass fishing opportunities. Green and Koronis remain the top smallmouth bass lakes, with Eagle, Nest and Big Kandiyohi providing additional smallmouth opportunities. Bass can be an excellent option if walleye fishing is slow on the opener, particularly in warming bays and shallow cover.

Basic techniques – For largemouth bass, target warming shallow bays, emerging vegetation, and shoreline cover. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and shallow crankbaits work well to cover water, while soft plastics (Texas-rigged worms, stickbaits) are effective when fish are less aggressive. For smallmouth bass, focus on rocky shorelines, points, and transition areas. Tubes, ned rigs, and small swimbaits fished slowly along bottom are very effective, especially in cooler water. During low-light periods, both species can be caught casting moving baits along wind-blown banks.

Information shared with us from the MN DNR Fisheries Spicer.