Fishing Report

Find out where fish are biting and bait to use in the area fishing report each week. Get Hooked in Detroit Lakes will give you an inside look from fishing guides on which area lakes are best bets for the fish you’re out to catch and the bonus experiences of being out on the water.

This is the area fishing report for Tuesday, April 15, 2025, sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

There are few things more exciting to a Minnesota angler than seeing the first open water of the year and, from Detroit Lake, south to Lida and west to Boyer, many lakes are opening up in Becker, Otter Tail and Clay counties. As anglers wait for the walleye, bass, and pike opener on May 10th the question is, where are the panfish? The good news is, like all species, sunfish and crappie follow predictable patterns each year based on a few factors, including water temperature. Until lakes inch closer to the 60° mark, you will find panfish staging in pre-spawn locations. Look for crappies in deeper water (15’-30’), near shallow flats and bays where they will eventually spawn. Bluegill can be found near deep breaklines in areas with soft bottoms that contain forage.  A 1/16 oz. jig with a minnow or Berkeley golf is hard to beat right now, but a small slip bobber is effective too! Good luck and stay tuned for more panfish tips next week!

Brady Baxter
Owner and Fishing Guide
Baxstar Fishing LLC
brady@baxstarfishing.com
701-261-3703