Best Fishing Times in Minnesota This Week

Q: What are the solunar times in Minnesota this week?

The table above shows the next 7 days for Walker, Baudette and Brainerd, with each day's major and minor periods, sunrise and sunset, and a rating from Fair to Best. For your own spot, enter a ZIP on the best fishing times page.

Q: When do bluegill bite in Minnesota?

Bluegill spawn in Minnesota from May into early July. That is from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Q: Do I need a fishing license in Minnesota?

The Minnesota fishing license page has what a resident and nonresident license costs and where to buy one, read from the state's own regulations.

Q: When does ice fishing start in Minnesota?

The Minnesota ice fishing page tracks when lakes freeze and what the agency says about safe ice. The solunar windows here work the same through the ice; winter tips favor mid to late afternoon.

Q: Does the moon really affect fishing?

The solunar windows are the old angler's rule, and the studies are mixed. Dawn and dusk are the reliable part: fish feed in low light. So each day here is rated on the moon phase and on whether a moon window meets sunrise or sunset, with the weather as a smaller nudge.

Q: Is today a good day to fish in Minnesota?

Each town's card above rates today Fair, Good, Great or Best. The rating adds up the moon phase, whether a moon window meets sunrise or sunset, and the National Weather Service forecast for that town: pressure, fronts, wind, rain, cloud and thunder. A Fair day still has its dawn and dusk.

Near Walker, Baudette and Brainerd: today on a 24 hour timeline and the next seven days rated Fair to Best.

Working out the moon and the sun for Walker, MN, and reading the forecast.

Fishing somewhere else? Enter any ZIP for your own spot

Photo: “Fall fishing on the Madison River at sunrise”, Jacob W. Frank, Yellowstone National Park (NPS), Public domain

Minnesota at a glance

Solunar windows plus the agency calendar

Towns rated this week

Walker, Baudette and Brainerd

Solunar windows a day

two majors, two minors, set against sunrise and sunset

Dated entries from the agency

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Fish the calendar names

walleye, bluegill and yellow perch

The fishing year

When fish bite in Minnesota

Minnesota's fishing year turns on walleye, easiest near shore in May and June and drifting back to the shoreline by early fall, with bluegill spawning from May into July and yellow perch a top target under the ice.

Each entry below is from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or its published guides, quoted word for word and linked. Line the season up with the week above: a run in its prime and a Great day with a window at first light is the morning to take off.

May and June
Walleye
Walleye fishing success tends to be highest in May and June, when walleye are most often in shallow water near shore.
“Fishing success tends to be highest in May and June. That’s when walleye are most frequently in shallow or semi-shallow locations near shore, thereby making them easier to catch.”
How to catch a walleye, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026
May into early July
Bluegill
Bluegill spawn in Minnesota from May into early July.
“In Minnesota, bluegills spawn from May into early July.”
How to catch a sunfish, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026
Late summer and early fall
Walleye
In late summer and early fall, walleye gradually move back toward shore, though some stay in deep water.
“In late summer and early fall walleye will gradually move back to shoreline locations though some will continue to stay in deep water.”
How to catch a walleye, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026
Ice season
Yellow perch
Yellow perch are seldom targeted in summer but are highly sought after by ice anglers.
“While not typically targeted by sport fish anglers in the summer, yellow perch are highly sought after by ice anglers.”
Ice fishing for perch, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026

Before you go

License, stocking and ice in Minnesota

Minnesota fishing licenseWhat a license costs and where to buy one.Minnesota trout stockingWhere and when the state stocks trout.Minnesota ice fishingWhen the lakes freeze and the ice is safe.Minnesota daylightSunrise, sunset and day length all year.

How the days are rated

Reading the Minnesota timeline

Each day has two major solunar periods of about two hours, centered on the moon overhead and underfoot, and two minor periods of about an hour at moonrise and moonset. A window within an hour of sunrise or sunset is marked in gold. The rating adds the moon phase, the gold windows and a capped nudge from the National Weather Service forecast for each town. Every factor and its points.

Dawn and dusk are the reliable part; the moon windows are the old angler’s rule.

An angler in a cap seen from behind, holding a rod over a calm lake at dusk, with a bobber on pink water and a pine shore beyond — Walleye fishing on a northern Wisconsin lake at dusk. The Wisconsin DNR says that in clear waters walleye stay deep in the day and move into the shallows at night, which is why the hour around sunset is shaded on every timeline here. “Fishing in northern Wisconsin for walleye”, Joanna Gilkeson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region, Public domain

Minnesota fishing times questions

When is the best time to fish in Minnesota?

What are the solunar times in Minnesota this week?

When do walleye bite in Minnesota?

When do bluegill bite in Minnesota?

Do I need a fishing license in Minnesota?

When does ice fishing start in Minnesota?

Does the moon really affect fishing?

Is today a good day to fish in Minnesota?

Minnesota at a glance

When fish bite in Minnesota

Walleye

Bluegill

Walleye

Yellow perch

License, stocking and ice in Minnesota

Reading the Minnesota timeline

Minnesota fishing times questions

Best fishing times in other states