REGIONAL— There are a few words to the wise for anglers heading out to a North Country lake this Saturday for the 2026 walleye opener— take it slow.
While the ice cleared on most area lakes close to long-term averages, an extended period of below-average temperatures in late April and early May have kept water temperatures cool. That means sluggish fish, despite whatever enticements anglers may have up their sleeves.
The good news is that anglers should find walleye in the post-spawn period, meaning they will be hungry even if they aren’t in a hurry. Anglers can expect to find the most active fish in shallow, darker waters that warm more quickly, which means Lake Vermilion’s Pike Bay, and reservoir lakes like Birch and the White Iron chain, will be among your better bets, according to DNR fisheries. Areas with current are also good bets and are often popular spots with anglers, too popular for some.
An excellent 2021 walleye year-class should give Lake Vermilion anglers a great opportunity to catch eater-sized fish. Abundance remains excellent, with plenty of keeper fish in the 14- to 19-inch range, especially on the lake’s west end. Larger fish are also plentiful, including many in or above the 20-26-inch protected slot. And don’t forget, Vermilion’s four-walleye bag limit remains in place.
For those heading to the border lakes, anglers should find the most active fish on Lake Kabetogama or in Rainy Lake’s Black Bay.
Much of Kabetogama’s shoreline provides excellent walleye spawning habitat so the fish are well-distributed, and anglers do not have to travel far to find them. Shore fishing can be productive in some years and that should hold true this year with the cooler conditions.
Kabetogama’s strong 2015 and 2016 year-classes have largely grown into the protected slot but continue to provide catch-and-release opportunities for larger fish. The fall 2025 assessment showed good numbers of walleye in the 14- to 17-inch range, which should give anglers opportunities to harvest fish in 2026.
Anglers should remember that both Rainy and Kabetogama have a protected slot limit for walleye. All walleye from 18-to-26 inches must be released, with one walleye over 26 inches allowed in a possession limit of four. The regulation applies to all lakes in the Namakan chain.
While the walleye will likely be sluggish in most parts of Rainy Lake, anglers can expect improved conditions later in the month as the water warms. Recent fish population assessments suggest anglers can expect good numbers of harvestable-sized walleye from a large 2021 year-class, with many fish in the 12- to 15-inch range during the 2025 fish survey.
Bass season opens in NE
Regulation changes will now allow anglers on northeastern Minnesota lakes to harvest both large- and smallmouth bass (limit: six combined) beginning with the May 9 opener. Traditionally, the bass harvest season opened later in the month, but the DNR made that change effective this year. The new regulations allow for a year-round catch-and-release bass season statewide, with a harvest season in northeastern Minnesota extending from May 9 this year until the end of February of next year.
The northeast zone includes the entire Arrowhead located east of Hwy. 53 as well as Pelican and Ash lakes near Orr.
Elsewhere in the state, the bass harvest season opens May 23 this year.
Many options for trout
For those who prefer trout to walleye, this weekend’s opener offers plenty of opportunity in the area. Lake trout, commonly sought on deeper lakes like Trout, Burntside, and Snowbank, can be found in the shallows this time of year.
For those seeking stream trout opportunities, many smaller lakes in the region are stocked with rainbow, brook, or brown trout, or splake, and many can be fished effectively from shore. Lakes like Cub and Norberg in Bear Head Lake State Park are good options for shore fishing, as are Hanson, and Miner’s Pit, near Ely. Tofte Lake is a good option but is best fished by canoe.
But don’t forget: a trout stamp is required to fish designated stream trout lakes or to possess trout.
Favorable forecast
Whatever species anglers opt to target this weekend, the current weather forecast points to seasonably pleasant conditions, with partly cloudy skies, light winds, and highs in the mid-to-upper 50s. So, don’t forget the sunscreen.