5 Most Common Fish Species For Minnesota Anglers This Weekend

If you are getting out on the open water this weekend, I wish you nothing but personal records. But while you are out on the lake, or standing on the dock casting, what are the most common fish that you'll catch this weekend? Bluegill? Crappie? Muskie? After some research, I've found the top 5 fish you are most likely to catch this weekend for the 'opener'.

What are the most common fish found in MN's lakes?

In no particular order, here are the top 5 fish that you are most likely to catch in a Minnesota lake this weekend.

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Image Credit: Portia Weiss via Unsplash

Crappie (Black & White)
- You'll find these fish swimming in schools, and near underwater structures
- They are also pretty good coated in Shore Lunch

Image Credit: Zab Consulting via Unsplash

Walleye
- They are the official fish of Minnesota
- These fish have catch limits that differ from lake to lake

Image Credit: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

Northern Pike
- An aggressive fish, but they put up a fun fight when you hook one
- Often found lurking in weedy areas of lakes

Image Credit: Jeff Vanderspank via Unsplash

Largemouth Bass
- A great sport fish to catch
- Often found in warmer waters, so this fish would be more common in Central and Southern Minnesota

Image Credit: Mid-Atlantic Stocking via Unsplash

Bluegill (Sunfish)
- Small but mighty, these fish are fun for 'kids' of all ages to catch
- One of the most common fish found in Minnesota's lakes

What should you be using to catch fish in Minnesota lakes?

The good news is you can use a variety of bait to catch fish, from live bait like worms, minnows, and wax worms to artificial bait like spinners or jigs, you've got a good chance to hook something this weekend.

If you are just looking to catch some panfish like a bluegill, I like to use corn kernals, they are fun for kids to put on a hook and easy to see under the water, a great teaching method for first time anglers if you don't have a bobber.

Get your license!

Don't forget to pick up your new fishing license for this year. It's one of those items that you can easily forget about, and sometimes, it's hard to find places to purchase them when you are on the road.

You can learn more about getting your fishing license, here.

Want to go fishing with me at Ballards?

Hop aboard the Walleye Connection as we leave St. Cloud on May 26 and come back on the 28th! Head here for more details and to reserve your spot on the bus!