People who enjoy the thrill of catching big game fish species are seldom disappointed when they go fishing in Minnesota. The North Star State has a wide variety of species and an even greater number of waters to fish in.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource, Minnesota has 158 different species of fish and approximately 3.8 million acres of fishing waters. Within these acres are 5,493 fishable lakes that offer anglers who go fishing in Minnesota an abundance of fishing opportunities.
Here are some of the top spots for angling in the North Star State.
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1. Lake Winnibigoshish
Lake Winnibigoshish has an expanse of 67,000 acres and is the fifth largest lake in the North Star State.
According to Minnesota Fishing Pros, it is one of the hot spots for catching northern pike and walleye. Anglers who seek to sink their hooks into walleye should try fishing between May through the beginning of July. Walleye are also caught in greater numbers during mid-August until the first freeze. Northern pike seem to bite best between July and October, while jumbo perch are actively being caught in great numbers all year. Other fish found in this lake include bluegill, crappie, bass, sunfish, and muskellunge.
2. Leech Lake
Leech Lake covers an area of 112,000 acres and is situated close to the city of Walker. This lake is known for being one of the best places to catch walleye, largemouth bass, and muskellunge fish species. Anglers who are looking for a trophy muskellunge may want to consider fishing in Minnesota lakes like this one as two of the largest muskellunges on record were pulled from this body of water in the past 10 years, with both fish weighing in at more than 50 pounds each. Other fish species present in Leech Lake include jumbo perch and slab crappies.
3. Big Turtle Lake
Big Turtle Lake is a 2,066 acre glacial lake that is well-known among anglers for being one of the best places for those who wish to go fishing in Minnesota for smallmouth bass. Anglers enjoy catching this fish species because of their aggressive fighting nature. Each year, the DNR stocks this lake with fingerling walleye which also makes the lake a prime spot for shallow-water fishing in the spring.
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4. St. Croix River
Anglers who lean more toward fishing in rivers find that the St. Croix River has plenty to offer in the way of fishing opportunities. William O'Brien State Park is located along the shore of the St. Croix River and according to the Minnesota DNR. This is an ideal place for people to go who want to get away for a while. St. Croix River has fish species that include northern pike, walleye, bass, and trout.
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