Explore Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, July 18
Walleye anglers report that the summer slowdown has begun.
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Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleye anglers fishing the main-lake reefs with leeches or crawlers are taking fish from depths of 36-40 feet. The Brule Narrows and Stub’s Shoal are producing walleyes in slightly shallower waters. The Rainy River started giving up a few more walleyes this week. Look for northern pike on the weedbeds of most bays during morning hours. Black Bay continues to produce crappies. Smallmouth bass action has been best on the Canadian side.
Grand Rapids
Walleyes are hitting crawlers in 18-26 feet of water on Lake Pokegama and Trout Lake. Bluegills can be found along the weedlines of most area lakes. Muskies are following bucktails on Deer Lake. A jig and minnow combination continues to produce northern pike at the deep weedlines of Lake Pokegama. Bass have moved into deeper waters.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, the windswept shorelines and reef edges are giving up walleyes in 18-28 feet of water. Live bait rigs and spinner rigs tipped with leeches are working best. Crayfish-colored baits are turning smallmouth bass at the rocky shorelines and rock piles. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows and crankbaits worked in Mud, Daily, Nebraska, and Junction bays on Lake Kabetogama, and in Rudder and Kohler bays on Lake Namakan.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, leeches under slip bobbers and lindy rigs tipped with crawlers are producing a few walleyes on the reefs, points, and humps. July remains tough for most muskie anglers, although a few fish are being seen in the bays and weedy points. Bass, panfish, and northern pike are being pulled from the weeds and wooded areas.
Ely
Crappie action has picked up at the 4- to 10-foot weedlines on many area lakes. Walleyes are hitting leeches at the mid-lake drops and reefs on Shagawa, Newfound, Burntside, and White Iron lakes. Smallmouth bass remain active in the shallows throughout the area.
Grand Marais
Leeches and crankbaits continue to produce a few walleyes on most area lakes, especially early and late in the day. Some of the better locations include Saganaga, Seagull, Devil’s Track, and Devil’s Fish lakes in 15-30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are coming from the rock-covered shorelines of most lakes. Northern Lights Lake continues to produce northern pike. Rainbow trout are hitting crawlers on Kimball and Mink lakes. Lake trout can be found suspended on Trout Lake.
Duluth
A few walleyes are coming from 20-24 feet of water on Island Lake, and from depths of 10-12 feet on Boulder and Fish lakes. Panfish action remains strong on Fish Lake along the weedlines. Sucker minnows are turning northern pike in the weed pockets of Rice Lake. Walleyes are also coming from the channel edges on crawlers worked on the St. Louis River. The south shore of Lake Superior is producing walleyes, lake trout, and coho salmon.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, a jig and minnow combination continues to produce walleyes in 32-34 feet of water around the Morris Point Gap, up towards Long Point. The east and west sides of Garden Island have also provided steady walleye action. The Silver Creek area on the Rainy River is giving up walleyes in depths of 14-17 feet. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, dark-colored jigs and minnows worked around Oak Island have been best for walleyes and northern pike.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, walleye action has slowed due to last weekend’s strong winds which caused the water to turn cloudy. While walleyes have been hard to find on the main lake, some large walleyes continue to be pulled from the Tamarack River. Northern pike and crappie reports have also been limited.
Blackduck
Walleyes are hitting leeches and crawlers on Island and Gull lakes in 10-12 feet of water. Anglers report an occasional flurry of walleye action on Blackduck Lake as well. Turtle River, Gull, and North and South Twin lakes have been best for bluegills. Bass continue to bite on most lakes along the weedlines.
Bemidji
Panfish action remains strong in the shallows of most lakes, with fish hitting beetle spins, as well as leeches under bobbers. Lindy rigs and leeches trolled at the weedlines of Lake Bemidji have produced a few walleyes. During evening hours, pitch a jig and minnow into 14-16 feet of water on Lake Plantagenet for a few walleyes. The larger bass have responded best to plastics tossed at the deep weedlines on most lakes.
Cass Lake
Lindy rigs and leeches are producing walleyes in 12-15 feet of water on Cass, Andrusia, and Pike Bay lakes. The 4- to 6-foot reed edges on Cass Lake are worth checking out for numbers of perch. Bluegill action has been strong on Grace, Kitchi, and Big Rice lakes. Bass are hitting dark-colored plastics on Lake Thirteen and Grace Lake. For northern pike, troll spinners and minnows on Big Wolf Lake.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, a big bug hatch slowed walleye action this week. As soon as the bugs die off, look to the main-lake bars and north-end humps to once again produce fish in 16-22 feet of water. When the wind is blowing, work the points and shoreline breaks using a lindy rig and leech, or jig and minnow combination, in depths of 10-14 feet. Perch reports have been limited, and most of the northern pike have been small.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleyes have become a bit more elusive, partly due to the ever-changing wind directions and a significant mayfly hatch. The best action is taking place along the shorelines and reefs in 20 feet of water when using leeches and crawlers. Crankbaits have also triggered walleyes during low-light hours. Muskies have become more active as the water warms, but remain difficult to catch. Bass and panfish action has been excellent in shallow waters adjacent the sharp breaks.
Hackensack
Woman and Ten Mile lakes are producing walleyes on leeches and crawlers worked at the 14- to 22-foot weed edges. Look for sunfish in 6-16 feet of water on most area lakes. Crappies are coming in on beetle spins worked in depths of 12-18 feet on Pleasant Lake. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and topwater lures on Stony and Birch lakes.
Park Rapids
Fish Hook Lake is producing walleyes in 22 feet of water on leeches and crawlers. Northern pike are coming from Fish Hook and Big Mantrap lakes on sucker minnows. Bluegill action has been strong on Upper Twin and the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes in depths of 8-10 feet. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are active on most area lakes. Big Mantrap Lake is giving up a few crappies in 14 feet of water during evening hours.
Detroit Lakes
Walleyes are hitting leeches under slip bobbers at the weed edges of Big Detroit Lake. On Island Lake, you’ll find walleyes in 20-30 feet of water during low-light hours. Big Detroit is giving up quite a few bluegills in depths of less than 10 feet. Sucker minnows are turning northern pike on lakes Sallie and Melissa. The smaller muskies have started hitting on Pelican and Big Detroit lakes.
Battle Lake
Look for bluegills in 4-8 feet of water on Elbow, Deer, Dead, Lida, West Battle, and Star lakes. Walleye action remains strong in depths of 18-24 feet on West Battle Lake, in 10-15 feet of water and depths of 25-30 feet on Otter Tail Lake, in 17-20 feet of water on East Battle Lake, and in depths of 17-22 feet on Silver, Walker, Little Pine, Stalker, and Blanche lakes. Bass are active along the weedlines of most area lakes. Northern pike continue to be caught on Otter Tail, South Turtle, Spitzer, Long, and East and West Battle lakes. Muskies are chasing bucktails and large sucker minnows on West Battle Lake.
Alexandria
Lakes Reno and Mary are producing walleyes on spinners and leeches worked in 12-20 feet of water. An evening walleye bite is being reported on the weed edges of Lake Miltona. The Le Homme Dieu Chain is kicking out crappies along the 10- to 18-foot weed edges. Sunfish are active on most lakes in depths of 10-15 feet. The best bass reports are coming from the deeper weedlines by anglers using rattle traps or plastics.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, walleyes continue to hit crawlers and leeches in 7-18 feet of water, especially at Banana and Four Mile bars. The larger northern pike are hitting spoons at the weedlines. Panfish action has been limited, although a few sunfish are coming from the bars in 8-10 feet of water. Bass action remains strong in the reeds and established weedlines.
Starbuck
Look for walleyes during low-light hours in 18 feet of water on Lake Minnewaska. Spinners tipped with crawlers or minnows have been best. Bass action remains strong on most area lakes. The creek areas of Lake Minnewaska have started to produce northern pike. The larger sunfish on Lake Minnewaska are coming from depths of 10-12 feet on small leeches.
Sauk Centre
Sunfish are being pulled from 6 feet of water on Sauk Lake, as well as from depths of 16 feet on Fairy Lake, and from the 12-foot weedlines on Maple Lake. Big Birch Lake continues to produce walleyes on leeches and crawlers worked in 16 feet of water. On Maple Lake, minnows and jigs are turning walleyes at the weedlines. The north end of Sauk Lake is giving up crappies in depths of 6-12 feet. Levin and Amelia lakes are producing crappies in the deeper waters. Fairy Lake is the area’s best bet for northern pike, especially in depths of 15 feet.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Although walleyes have become more scattered, fish continue to be caught using leeches and crawlers in 20-30 feet of water on Gull, North Long, Round, and Pelican lakes. Most panfish are now coming from the deep weed edges on many of the smaller area lakes, with crappies found suspended in the same locations. Bass and northern pike are hitting artificial and live bait along the weedlines of all area lakes.
Crosslake
Walleye action remains good on Upper Whitefish and Cross lakes, as well as several of the smaller lakes in the area. The evening bite has been best in 18-26 feet of water when using long lindy rigs tipped with leeches or redtails. Bass have been an easy catch along the weedlines and near the docks, with spinnerbaits and tubes working best. Work the weed flats and weedlines using spinners and minnows for northern pike. Crappies can be found suspended at the deeper weedlines of most lakes.
Crosby
Walleyes continue to be taken on crawlers and minnows worked in 22-28 feet of water during evening hours on Pelican and Serpent lakes. Trolling deep-running crankbaits has produced some large walleyes on Cedar Lake. Plastics are triggering bass in depths of 10-14 feet on Bay, Serpent, Horseshoe, Cedar, and Edward lakes. Northern pike can be found using sucker minnows in 14-20 feet of water on Dolney, Mitchell, East Rabbit, and Bay lakes. Panfish are active on June, Ross, Clearwater, Black, and Bass lakes. The Manuel Pit is giving up trout to shore anglers. Boat anglers are taking trout from Huntington Pit.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, the east end is giving up walleyes on deep-running crankbaits, as well as on live-bait rigs tipped with crawlers or leeches. For the most fish, hit the 22- to 32-foot mud and gravel areas during the day. At night, slip bobbers and leeches are working best, especially at the 14- to 20-foot rocks and gravel. A few muskies were recently taken from the weedlines in the bays. Look for smallmouth bass around the docks and boat lifts. On the west end of the lake, walleyes can be found at the edges and tops of the mud flats using live-bait rigs and leeches during midday hours. Anglers also report some action using spinners with crawlers, as well as deep-diving crankbaits off the flats in 30 feet of water or more. At night, anchor and pitch slip bobbers and leeches off the sides of the flats into depths of 30-34 feet. A few northern pike and muskies are being seen in the bays. Smallmouth bass remain active on the rocky points.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Sunfish are active in 6-10 feet of water on Horseshoe, Becker, Pearl, and Grand lakes. A few walleyes are coming from the weedlines, as well as depths of 20-25 feet, on Koronis and Rice lakes. The weedlines of Browns, Horseshoe, and Koronis lakes are producing northern pike. Bass remain an easy catch on most area lakes when using spinnerbaits and plastics.
Zimmerman/Elk River
Bass and northern pike are hitting at the weed edges of Blue and Green lakes. Birch Lake is giving up lots of sunfish in 8-10 feet of water. Elk Lake continues to produce crappies in depths of 9 feet. The deep holes and current breaks on the Rum and Mississippi rivers are providing steady smallmouth bass action.
Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
Sunfish are coming from the 8- to 12-foot weedlines on Sugar, Sylvia, and Clearwater lakes. For northern pike, troll crankbaits in 18-20 feet of water on Cedar and Pleasant lakes. The weedlines of Clearwater Lake are giving up a few walleyes and northern pike. Bass remain active on most area lakes–for the most fish, hit the shallows early in the day, and deeper waters during midday.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
The deep weedlines of Christmas Lake are producing sunfish and northern pike. Sunfish are coming from 6-8 feet of water on Parley Lake. For bass and northern pike, hit Steiger Lake. Hydes Lake is giving up crappies in depths of 12 feet.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, sunfish and bass are biting along the 10-foot weedlines. Walleyes are hitting leeches and crawlers at Kegg’s Reef in 16-18 feet of water. Muskies are chasing bucktails in the swimming beach area, early and late in the day. The deeper weedlines have been best for large bass, with plastics, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits all working well.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, bass are hitting plastics at the 15-foot weeds. Anglers trolling spinnerbaits on top of the 15- to 18-foot weeds are taking northern pike. Sunfish are coming from 8 feet of water. Walleyes can be found using floating jigs and leeches in depths of 18 feet at the weedlines. Some small walleyes are coming in on leeches worked in 12-18 feet of water on Medicine and Independence lakes.
Chisago City
A jig and leech is producing walleyes at the weeds on South Lindstrom Lake. Crappies can be found suspended over 20 feet of water on South Lindstrom and South Center lakes. The docks on Chisago, North Center, and Kroon lakes are holding sunfish. Bass are coming from the deep weedlines on most area lakes. Sunrise Lake is giving up northern pike, bass, and panfish.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
Walleyes are hitting leeches and crawlers on Bald Eagle Lake during evening hours. A few walleyes are hitting shad raps and live-bait rigs worked in depths of 20-24 feet in the Prescott area of the St. Croix River. Northern pike are cruising the weedlines of White Bear, Bald Eagle, and Silver lakes. Bass have been an easy catch on Demontreville, Olson, and Jane lakes. Muskie action has picked up, with anglers taking fish using bucktails and crankbaits on Forest, White Bear, and Bald Eagle lakes.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing/Lake City
Northern pike are hitting minnows along the creek mouths of Lake Pepin. The Lake City area of the Mississippi River has started producing walleyes, with anglers taking fish by trolling crankbaits early and late in the day. Look for crappies in the back channels and submerged tree areas on the river.
Waterville
Spoon plugs, and sucker minnows under bobbers worked in 8 feet of water are triggering northern pike on Sakatah and Tetonka lakes. Look for sunfish in depths of 8-10 feet on Jefferson Lake, and directly in the weeds on Sakatah Lake.
Mankato
Walleyes continue to be caught by anglers using spinners and crawlers on the south end of Lake Hanska. On Lake Washington, leeches are producing walleyes when worked in 14 feet of water. Crankbaits have been best at the weedlines of Madison Lake. Bass action remains strong on all area lakes in depths of 9 feet or less. The bays and points on Lake Washington are providing steady panfish action.
Fairmont
Look for crappies in less than 8 feet of water on George, Hall, and Budd lakes. Muskie action has picked up on Fox Lake, with anglers taking fish by using bucktails during morning hours. Bluegills are coming from the docks on George Lake. Catfish are hitting nightcrawlers on Hall and Amber lakes.
Ortonville
Perch action is improving in 12 feet of water at the Grapevine and Manhattan Reef areas of Big Stone Lake. Walleyes are being taken by trolling crankbaits on the north end of Lake Lac qui Parle, and on Lake Traverse. On the Minnesota River, catfish and northern pike are coming from the area near the Highway 75 dam.
Willmar
Smallmouth bass activity is improving on Green Lake, with a few walleyes being pulled from 30-40 feet of water. Walleyes can also be found in less than 10 feet of water on Diamond Lake. Willmar and Foot lakes are producing a mixed bag of walleyes, northern pike, panfish, and bass in the shallows. The area’s best sunfish action is taking place in depths of 10-12 feet on Florida, Andrew, Games, Eagle, and Nest lakes. And, bass and northern pike can be found at the 12- to 14-foot weedlines.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
