MN DNR: Central Minnesota Lakes Poised for Strong 2026 Fishing Opener

(KNSI) – With the Minnesota fishing opener set for Saturday, May 9th, the Department of Natural Resources has released its regional outlook giving anglers a preview of what to expect on local waters.

DNR fisheries staff say central Minnesota lakes should offer solid opportunities for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish this season, though conditions can vary depending on how far north anglers travel.

In Stearns County, Grand Lake near Rockville continues to support a balanced fishery. The 2025 survey found walleye abundance was higher than in 2020 and slightly above the long-term average, with fish ranging from 11 to 26 inches and averaging 16 inches. Largemouth bass numbers were well above area averages, with 68% of sampled fish longer than 12 inches. Northern pike remain abundant, and 17% of sampled pike were longer than 26 inches.

Kings Lake, located two miles northwest of Freeport, is another strong option. Northern pike sampled in 2025 averaged 27 inches and 4 pounds, with 56% longer than 26 inches and 21% longer than 30 inches. Walleye stocked by a local sportsman’s club have maintained a viable fishery, with 70% of walleye caught over 15 inches and 61% over 20 inches. Largemouth bass catch rates were more than three times higher than in 2015.

Clearwater Lake, the largest lake in the Sauk Rapids management area at 3,158 acres, should produce good fishing for northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. Pike averaged 23.3 inches and 2.9 pounds in the 2025 survey. Bluegills greater than 9 inches were sampled, though walleye numbers remain lower than expected for a lake of its size.

In Wright County, French Lake southwest of Annandale posted record walleye catches in 2025, more than triple the catch from the previous survey. The 2023 year class dominated, and larger fish up to 27.5 inches were sampled. Northern pike catches also reached a record high, averaging 23 inches and 2.8 pounds.

Maple Lake, east of the city of Maple Lake, offers a mix of opportunities. Walleye numbers were on the low side in 2025, but sampled fish ranged from 14 to 24 inches and averaged 19 inches and 3 pounds. Black crappies provide some of the better panfish potential, with fish averaging about 9 inches.Pulaski Lake within the Buffalo city limits saw walleye numbers drop sharply from 2020, but the fish that were sampled averaged 20 inches and 3 pounds. More than half were 20 inches or longer. Largemouth bass are a bright spot, with 69% of sampled bass longer than 12 inches and 46% over 15 inches.

East and West Lake Sylvia, connected lakes three miles south of South Haven, continue to produce quality walleye and bass. A 21-inch largemouth bass was caught in a gill net on West Sylvia during the 2025 survey. West Sylvia has a reduced bag limit of 10 sunfish and 5 crappie daily that took effect March 1st, 2021.

In Morrison County, Little Rock Lake and the connected stretch of the Mississippi River offer about 3,000 acres of navigable water. The DNR’s 2020 survey sampled 17.18 walleye per net, the highest ever recorded for the basin. A recent trap net survey also showed significant increases in bluegill, crappie and bass, with bluegill over 10 inches sampled. Channel catfish numbers were strong at 13.73 per net.

Sullivan Lake and connected Platte Lake in northeastern Morrison County combine for more than 2,700 acres and offer walleye, pike, bass and crappie fishing. An experimental 10-fish daily bag limit for sunfish applies to the two lakes combined.

Big Sauk Lake, a 2,094-acre impoundment on the Sauk River, ranks among the top opener bets in the Little Falls management area. Sampling in 2023 yielded the second-highest walleye catch rates ever recorded at 12.7 per net, and anglers should expect good numbers of fish between 15 and 25 inches.

The DNR reminds boaters that about 30% of fatal boating accidents each year happen during the cold-water period, and many involve victims who weren’t wearing a life jacket. Officials also remind anglers to clean, drain and dispose of water and vegetation to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Muskie season opens Saturday, June 6th.

The full regional outlook is available by clicking here.

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