The walleyes are still shallow due to the late shiner spawn. Try 5-10 ft of water with a jig tipped with a minnow. Make long casts or drag the jig behind the boat to avoid spooking the shallow fish. Smallmouth bass are just starting to head shallow, getting ready to spawn as well as the […]
The waters in the Park Rapids area are warming up rapidly! With the water temps in the high 40’s to low 50 degree range, the fishing opener was good for most with a mix of Walleye and Pike—found in the shallows near shore 5-10 ft. of water using lie bait rigs and shiner minnows. Trolling […]
Minnesotans with an all-terrain vehicle registered for private or agricultural use won’t need to pay the additional registration fee ($53.50 for three years) to ride the state’s public ATV trails, Friday through Sunday, June 7-9. From a 5/10/2019 DNR press release: Out-of-state riders can explore Minnesota ATV trails that weekend as well, without the need […]
Go big or go home! Bigger hooks for more Spring panfish. I love big hooks—bigger than what you would think. Hooks do not scare the fish, they attract fish—especially the colored hooks available today. These larger hooks will decrease the number of missed fish by increasing hooking percentage. For bluegills I prefer a #8 or […]
Spring is suffering a setback as May begins, but the loons are back, trees are budding and lakes are open. Some have take advantage of a few warm days to clean up after a very long winter and started spring rituals like raking and ditch clean up. In Downtown Park Rapids Spring 19 stores and […]
Feeling that tug on the line, an angler sets the hook and reels in a small sunfish, then asks the perennial question: Should I keep it? From a DNR press release: Sunfish, also known as bluegills and pumpkinseeds, are a go-to species for anglers looking for a meal and many anglers may be surprised to […]
It’s no secret that the biggest crappies of the open water season are found in the shallow warm waters of Spring hidden in some form of cover such as pencil reeds, sunken timber, or near the edges of cattails. The problem starts when a live crappie minnow is used under a float. It’s just a […]
There is still a bit of ice fishing to be had in the Park Rapids area—but not for long. We have been focusing on perch and other panfish like crappies and bluegills. And of course the accidental bass or pike is caught (must be released—season closed) so that adds to the fun as well. Shallow […]
Learn about Fishing from the Pros at the Park Rapids Lakes Area Fishing Expo! The Expo will be at the Riverside United Methodist Church. Friday, April 12 from 6 – 9 PM. Chip Leer, a 2019 Inductee into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, TV and stage host of the world’s most prestigious walleye tournament […]
