Minnewaska Area Fishing Report 6-18-10
Well the first part of June didn’t cooperate weather wise like we may have been hoping, but if you were able to get out in the Minnewaska area during the last few weeks you probably did fairly well. Panfish are active on ALL area lakes and they seem to be post spawn for the most part. Sunfish and rock bass are being caught on just about anything tipped with some nightcrawler chunks. They can be found in the pencil reeds and the areas with the cabbage type weeds and don’t forget the rip-rap shorelines on the windward side of the lake. Pike are very active and willing to chase fast moving lure presentations. Overhead spinner baits and trolled crankbaits seem to be accounting for the big bruisers lately with a 9lb pike bagged at the DNR landing on Minnewaska the other night. Color patterns resembling perch seem to be the hot color right now. I have heard some recent reports of catfish being caught in the Chippewa River in western Pope County on stink bait and chicken livers/gizzards. These fish can be a blast to catch and if prepared correctly they can be quite tasty. Walleye action has also picked up in the local area in the last couple of weeks and plenty of people are getting fish for the freezer. The typical spots on Minnewaska like the high school point and Halverson’s Point are getting lots of attention and duly so. If you are looking for a few less people to fish around try Lake Amelia and Villard for some walleye action, there are plenty of eater size ‘eyes in this lake system. Walleyes are still being caught on these lakes with a jig and minnow, but the spinner rigs are starting to boat some too. Leaches and crawlers on lindy rigs or bottom bouncers are the ticket with bright colors on overcast days and hammered brass and chrome for the sunny ones. Trolling crankbaits has produced some walleye action on Grove Lake in the eastern basin of the lake along the weedlines. Sunfish also seem to be active in the thicker weedlines around the mid-lake point. Well I hope the weather finds a little more stable pattern for the rest of the month before the big heat arrives, but if not we will fish anyway. Good luck to you and maybe we will see you on the lake.
Ben Cogger
Environmental Technician/Code Enforcement
Pope County Land & Resource Management
130 East Minnesota Avenue, Suite 113
Glenwood, Minnesota 56334
320-634-5715