September 16, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report The temperatures are turning cooler, days are getting shorter, and the walleye and jumbo perch bite is heating up. Anglers are already enjoying an incredible fall bite. While most walleye anglers have switched over to a jig and minnow approach, leeches and crawlers are still producing fish.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Rainy Lake walleye are still congregating on the reefs and windward shorelines where schools of baitfish can be found. Jigging with a minnow has produced the majority of fish, but slowly-trolling a spinner will also work well. More crappies are being caught recently, and as always, Black Bay has been best for numbers. Rainy River walleye are hitting at the mouth of the Little Fork and Big Fork rivers below the dam, as well as on either side of the Ranier Rapids above the dam. Shiner minnows are working best in the river. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Anglers are enjoying all of the great northern pike action, as well as decent walleye, perch and smallmouth bass catches. Walleye anglers are having the most success using minnows in 30-plus feet of water during the day, and a bit more shallow during evening hours and on overcast days. Water temperatures have been hovering in the 70s which is very unusual for this time of year. Northern pike are attacking artificials tossed up near the weed edges. Some walleye are also coming in on artificials when anglers use deep divers or bottom bouncers to reach the deeper depths. Light northern sucker minnows under slip bobbers will produce both pike and walleye during morning and evening hours. The mid-Kabetogama deeper reefs seem to be best for walleye and perch. Crawler anglers are also having success, but this will lessen as temperatures cool. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
The walleye are on the move, and anglers will need to be flexible in their presentations. Decent numbers are coming from the shallow weed edges where walleye can be found chasing minnows into the shorelines near drop-offs. Try shallow-running crankbaits, as well as trolled spinner rigs tipped with minnows for the most fish. Some anglers have had success fishing waters down to 20 feet where the bottom begins to level off at the reef edges. Work the area thoroughly once you locate schools of bait. Sunnies and crappies are beginning to turn aggressive. Some lakes have been producing slab-size fish in the deeper waters when using small tube jigs, panfish worms, and waxies. Muskie anglers are beginning to take fish on spinners worked across the reef tops and weed edges, with an occasional 20-plus pound northern pike mixed in with the muskies. Pike are also attacking suckers worked slowly across the points and weedlines down to 15 feet of water. Slowly-trolled spinners and spoons will also work well in these locations. 1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Fall fishing has been excellent! As the surface water temperatures fall into the 60s, the walleye are moving closer to the top, and hitting jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers. Fish are also coming from the deeper waters just off the rock lines. Northern pike anglers are also catching perch and panfish when using stand-up jigs and nightcrawlers. Lakes to check out include Devil's Track and Elbow lakes located just outside of Grand Marais, and Caribou Lake just north of Lutsen. On Carrot Lake, west of the Gunflint Trail, the brook trout are hitting crawlers and flies worked in 20 feet of water. The air and water temperatures are cooler by the big lake, and fishing has really heated up. One Lake Superior charter captain took two lake trout at the same time, both weighing 3- to 4-pounds. Local anglers also report that the larger lakers and salmon are moving to the shorelines, and anglers casting spinners from shore are coming away with a few 3-pound fish!
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lake of the Woods anglers report that the walleye action remains great, with fishing being best just outside of Graceton Beach, at Pine Island, and in the northern and southern parts of Big Traverse. Anglers are having the most success trolling crankbaits through 28-31 feet of water. Anglers are also doing well when anchoring and jigging 3/8-ounce brightly colored jigs and minnows near the Lighthouse Gap and Morris Point. Further north, near the islands, downriggers are going deep and taking lots of 19- to 28-inch fish. As of September 15, the water temperature was holding at 64-degrees. It won't be too long until the walleye will start transitioning to their fall haunts in the shallows just outside of the Lighthouse Gap and the Rainy River. And in a few more weeks, the emerald shiner run should be in full swing - the walleye will be close behind! Crappie anglers are having a blast with the crappies which have turned very aggressive. The best approach has been a jig tipped with a minnow either slowly trolled or jigged vertically. And fall is a great time for trophy muskie. For the most fish, use crankbaits. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Fishing for walleye, muskie and crappie has been better after dark than during the day this past week due to hot, calm weather and the full Harvest Moon. Anglers fishing during the day had some success during morning and evening hours, but the mid-day bite was tough. The good news is the full moon phase has passed and the first frost of the fall occurred the middle of this week, which should cause the water temperatures to drop into the 60s and hasten the development of fall fishing patterns for most species. Walleye anglers fishing the shallow lakes such as Winnibigoshish and Upper Red will find walleye moving into the shoreline to feed on small perch, crayfish and other baitfish. On the deep lakes, such as Bemidji, Cass and Pike's Bay, walleye are moving off the sides of the structure into deeper waters. Just remember that the areas with the most baitfish will attract the most walleye. Muskie fishing should improve as the water cools and these fish feel the need to put on some weight before winter. Once this happens, anglers often switch over to larger jerkbaits. Perch fishing has been good along the edges of flats and points in Bemidji, Cass, Leech and Winnibigoshish lakes. Perch anglers should expect a mixed bag of fish when perch fishing with jig and minnow combinations. Crappie action is improving at the deep rock humps, sunken wood piles, and deep edges of hard bottom areas, depending on the lake. Locate crappies using electronics, then hover over the fish and drop a jig tipped with a minnow or plastic. And bass anglers are looking forward to some exciting fishing once fish move to the outside edges of the weeds and gather into larger schools. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comWalker - Leech Lake
Walleye action has been slow on Leech Lake, with a few fish coming off the humps in Walker Bay during the day. The crankbait bite at night has been somewhat difficult as well. Perch action has picked up in 9-12 feet of water at the weedlines in Sucker Bay and on the GrandVu Flats. A few crappies have been caught in the Sucker Bay weeds, and muskie action has been split between the rocks and weeds. Expect the walleye and perch bite to really heat up with the current cool temperatures. A jig and minnow set-up should work best. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
The cool down has begun, and water temperatures dipped into the low 70s late last week. The best walleye bite has been during early morning and late evening hours, with fish found in 17-24 feet of water on most lakes. Minnows are now the preferred bait for numbers of walleye. Lake Sallie has produced some large northern pike, muskie and bass this past week. Pelican and Detroit lakes, however, remain the favorites of muskie anglers. For the most fish, pitch your bait over the flats. Sunfish are active on the inside and outside edges of the weeds, with most coming in on pieces of nightcrawler on a small hook or jig set under a bobber. Tamarack, Cotton, Toad, and Pelican lakes have all produced larger than average sunfish over the past two weeks. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
Late last week, minnows were producing walleye in 17-30 feet of water on Gull Lake, in 17-35 feet on North Long Lake, and in depths of 15-35 feet on Pelican Lake. The south end of Gull and the Highway 371 Bay on North Long were producing sunfish in 7-15 feet of water. Bass fishing has been excellent at the deep structure and deep weeds of most lakes when using minnows. Towards the city of Crosby, Serpent, Rabbit, and many other lakes have been producing lots of largemouth bass on plastics worked along the deep weeds; topwater baits worked in the slop is also working well. Black and Mahnomen lakes, and the Mississippi River have been giving up lots of panfish. The walleye bite on the Mississippi continues to improve on the edges of the deep pools and feeder creek areas. Northern pike have been very active, hitting suckers under bobbers in 12 feet of water on Nokay and Bay lakes. And there has been a spike in pike action for anglers using large plugs thrown towards the flooded timber in the pits. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin
Fishing has slowed a bit as fish transition to fall patterns. Bass have moved into heavier cover in shallower waters. Walleye are scattered, and northern pike have moved to the deeper breaks in 18-24 feet of water. Crappie action remains strong at the deep weed edges of Cedar and Bay lakes. At the north end of Lake Mille Lacs, anglers that continue to venture out are having some success. Walleye are being caught during evening hours on slip bobbers and leeches. There have also been some reports of walleye hitting small crankbaits pulled over the shallow rocks in the evening. The shoreline break in front of the Red Door Resort is giving up some fish on lead core and crankbaits pulled throughout depths of 26-28 feet. 1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
After a couple of days with highs in the 50s, weekend temperatures should be more seasonable. The bite has been good for most anglers fishing Lake Mille Lacs, however, lots of smaller fish are being reported. Still, this is a very positive sign of the strength of the future population. At present, the best approach remains leeches on a small jig fished under a slip bobber, especially when worked in 28-32 feet of water adjacent to the flats and gravel bars. The shallow, 8-12 foot bite around the rocks has been nearly as good when there is some wind. The bite seems to be well-balanced between daytime and nighttime. As the water temperature begins to drop, look for the bite to improve even more. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
Fall is in the air, and the fish have become more hungry. The panfish action has been great on lakes throughout the area. The walleye bite has picked up on Eagle and Nest lakes, and anglers continue to do well on Green and Diamond lakes. For the most fish, use a leech or crawler. The bite and the fall weather should both be excellent for this coming weekend! 1-800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Bass are hitting plastics and crankbaits on South Center and Chisago lakes. Walleye fishing is picking up, with anglers taking fish from South Center and Chisago lakes on shiners after dark. Northern pike are coming from Green and South Center lakes. Panfish are active on all area lakes. Crappies are can be found suspended in deeper waters when using crappie minnows. And the sunnies are being pulled from outside the weedlines on panfish leeches and worms. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Area Lakes
Anglers report very active fish on both White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. Lots of walleye have been taken by anglers using leeches and fathead minnows. Northern pike and muskie anglers are doing very well using fast-moving lures and spoon-style plugs. The panfish bite has slowed a bit this past week, but anglers are still taking some fish from the weedlines using waxworms, nightcrawlers and crappie minnows. Bass remain active with good numbers taken on plastic worms and jigs. For the most fish, hit the weedlines, the backside of the weed edges near shore, and around the sand or gravel on the backside of the weeds. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Wednesday, September 14, all streams were in good fishable condition. Hoppers were everywhere, however, they did not become active until around 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. Large brown trout have been coming up into the coldwater tributaries from the "big water" downstream. Some very nicely colored male browns have been seen, and these fish appear ready for the spawn next month. The Whitewater River system watersheds were normal, with clear conditions and a normal flow. Camp, Duschee and Winnebago creeks and Trout Run are all reported to have clear and normal conditions. Forestville Creek, Bee Creek, the South Fork Root River at the Million $$ Bridge, Lanesboro, and Forestville State Park are reported to be clear and low. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville - Big Stone Lake
Perch action remains excellent on Big Stone Lake. Anglers are finding perch from Goose Isle all along the South Dakota shoreline up past SoDak Supper Club. There have even been reports of activity on the Minnesota side near Poverty Point and Old Mallard Pointe. A lot of perch are measuring 6- to 7-inches, but anglers are taking plenty in the 8- to 9-inch range, with some in the 11- to 12-inch class. Spikes seem to be best, with pieces of nightcrawler and the traditional crappie minnow also working well. The key has been to get the bait on or near the bottom. Avoid excessive tackle and excessive jigging. A good number of bluegills, crappies and rock bass are also being reported! This has been a great bonus to anglers that have already limited out on perch and still want to fish! Walleye anglers are taking a few fish, and one angler was able to net 18-inch, 16-inch and 14-inch walleye while fishing for perch. Remember that as air and water temperatures drop, the walleye bite will heat up! 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com</stron
