The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Baudette, where Lake of the Woods is giving up limits of walleyes at various locations. And, the Rainy River has been good for lots of walleyes, crappies and northern pike.
Please note that smallmouth bass are now catch-and-release only on inland lakes.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html==========================
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Anglers continue to take walleyes from Fish Lake, with leeches producing the most fish. Island and Boulder lakes are also giving up walleyes, however the best approach has been a minnow in 22-28 feet of water. Northern pike are biting just outside the weedlines on Caribou Lake. On Lake Superior, fish are coming from depths of 60-110 feet of water by dragging spoons, with most being pulled from 80 foot depths. Large lake trout, averaging 10- to 12-pounds are also being reported. Salmon, weighing roughly 7-pounds, are coming from the north shore, with even larger fish taken from the south shore. Walleyes are biting in the bay, and anglers are taking fish by bottom bouncing shiners in roughly 30 feet of water. In the upper river, anglers are catching lots of walleyes between 16– and 18-inches using a jig and minnow combination.
Ely
Fall fishing continues to improve on most area lakes. Limits of walleyes are coming from a variety of depths. The key is to stay on the move until you locate fish--begin in 15-25 foot depths, drifting spinners tipped with minnows. Some anglers also report taking good-size walleyes using a larger rapala-style bait.
Kabetogama
On lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, recent cool and windy weather chased most anglers off the water. Those that did venture out had success fishing the shallow windswept bays, as well as in depths of roughly 35 feet, when using a jig and minnow combination. During stable weather patterns, the preferred fall walleye tactic is a back-trolled or slowly drifted jig and minnow. As the summer winds down, diehard leech and crawler anglers can make a last attempt fishing in waters ranging from 6-15 feet. Northern pike anglers looking for a trophy-size fish should troll or cast at the deep weed edges and weed tops. Also try a sucker minnow under a slip bobber for northerns, or use a rainbow under a slip bobber for a few walleyes. Crappie action has been inconsistent. The east end of Lake Kabetogama and most of Lake Namakan are good locations for walleye and crappie action. Lake Kabetogama has many windswept bays that attract northern pike and smallmouth bass.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, most anglers are jigging live shiners just outside of the Lighthouse Gap, with some limits being reported as early as 11am. The water temperature has dropped to the mid-50's, and fish are moving into more shallow waters. Walleyes are following the shiners and moving up river to spawn, with lots of large walleyes being seen. Last week's wind and rain kept anglers off of the large basin, and guides headed up river, where they found good numbers of walleyes, crappies and northern pike. Areas to check out include Clementson, Frontier Landing and Birchdale. Two weeks remain of the sturgeon season, and fish have been a frequent sight as they breach the water in the Clementson area. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, anglers are pulling lots of crappies, perch and walleyes from the waters around the flats and rocks.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, fishing has improved. Walleyes are coming in on jig and minnow combinations, as well as on lindy rigs tipped with a minnow. Crappies are biting on Gilstad and Pimusche lakes. For sunnies, hit Rabideau Lake.
Bemidji
The walleyes have moved into shallower waters on Lake Bemidji, with fish found in depths of 8-12 feet of water when using redtail shiners.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, inclement weather lead to a decrease in fishing action on most waters, except for Cutfoot Sioux. Some of the best areas have been the Clam Beds, the mouth of Deer Lake, and The Gap. The best approach has been a fireball jig tipped with a rainbow chub, however crawler harnesses are also working well. Crappie fishing has also been good on Cutfoot Sioux, with lots of fish coming from 20-24 feet of water on northland thumper jigs and crappie minnows. Northern pike action remains good on the big lake. For the most fish, use a husky jerk along the Tamarack, at the High Banks and along the north shore.
Walker
Anglers report great fishing on Leech Lake. Muskie anglers are having the most success, and taking lots of large fish on bucktails worked on the rocks and at the Agency Bay weeds. Walleyes are starting to move up in to the shallows, and are being pulled from Big Rock Reef, and Pine and Sand points. On the main lake, use redtails, fatheads, or an occassional nightcrawler. Some anglers are doing well when trolling crankbaits through depths of 10-14 feet during evening hours and into the night. An original floating rapala works well, especially in size 9 or 11. Bass and perch action remains strong at Steamboat and Headquarters bays.
Hackensack
Walleye anglers are having lots of success using a jig and minnow in depths of 13-35 feet. Woman Lake is producing walleyes in 18 feet of water on redtail minnows. Also try trolling crankbaits through depths of 10-14 feet during evening hours and at night. A few nice perch are also being taken from Woman Lake, with fatheads working best.
Pelican Rapids
Pelican, Franklin and Lida lakes are producing good numbers of walleyes. The best approach has been a jig and minnow combination.
Battle Lake
Walleyes are being pulled from Ottertail Lake on jig and minnow combinations. Also check out depths of 17-24 feet on West Battle and Stalker lakes. Nice-size bass are coming off West Battle, Clitheral, Fiske and Johnson lakes on fake baits fished in the weeds. Northern pike are active on Ottertail, Clitheral and Long lakes, with fish hitting trolled crankbaits at the weeds. For sunnies, try crawlers in depths of 6-12 feet on West Battle, Clitheral, Blanche and Anna lakes. Crappies can be found suspended 3-4 feet down in 16-25 feet of water on West Battle.
Crosby
Walleyes are active in 6-12 feet of water at night, and in depths of 18-27 feet during the day on most area lakes. Pelican has been best, however Rabbit and Clearwater lakes are giving up a few fish as well. For the most fish, use a redtail on a jig. Northern pike are hitting minnows fished along the breaks, and spinners tipped with suckers over the tops of the standing weeds. Bass are coming in on topwater lures during low-light hours--during the day, use a leech under a bobber in 8-14 feet of water. The Mississippi River has been best for large sunfish. For trout, try deep-diving rapalas or powerbait on Manual or Huntington lakes during early morning or evening hours.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, a few walleyes are coming from Sherman’s and Brown’s. Walleyes are being pulled from 25 feet of water on the rocks during the day, and from 12 foot depths at night. For the most fish, use minnows and crankbaits. Anglers are taking limits of perch on crappie minnows and fatfeads worked in 10-14 feet of water.
Grey Eagle
On McCormick Lake, an old walleyes rearing pond, anglers are taking lots of walleyes. Cedar Lake is giving up some nice walleyes as well, however there is a limit of two. Big Birch, Little Birch and Alexander lakes are also producing walleyes, mostly on minnows. For sunnies, hit Long Lake near the hub, as well as Swan Lake. Crappies are coming from Big Birch Lake towards dusk. Muskies are being pulled from Shamineau Lake.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Annandale
On Clearwater Lake, northern pike are hitting sucker minnows and crankbaits worked in 10-15 feet of water. Walleyes are coming from depths of 18-22 feet on fatheads. A few crappies are being pulled from the tops of the weeds on minnows and flu-flus during evening hours. For sunnies, hit 10 feet of water using waxworms roughly 8 feet down.
Anoka
The Rum and Mississippi rivers continue to produce many large smallmouth bass. Please remember that they are catch-and-release only this time of year. The best approach is a snagless presentation, such as a Texas-rigged worm or tube. Topwater lures are also working well.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, a 40-plus inch muskie was caught-and-released just out from the shop recently. Anglers are also reporting a good bass bite. Crappies are being pulled from 12-16 feet of water off Anderson’s Reef.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, bass are active on the weeds, and hitting spinners and live bait. Smaller walleyes are also coming from the weeds, with the larger fish coming from deeper waters. The best approach is a jig and minnow combination.
Chisago City
Crappies are active on Chisago and Kroon lakes. Walleyes are hitting in the channel between Big and Little Green Lakes, as well as out near Nelson’s Island.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, walleyes are being pulled from the edges on up to the dam on hair jigs and minnows worked in 12-18 feet of water, and shallower. Anglers are also taking some nice-size catfish while fishing for walleyes near the dam. Northern pike are being pulled from the mouths of the Rush and Pine rivers on sucker minnows. Panfish are active at Baypoint Park around the docks.
St. Peter
The walleyes are biting on Lake Washington, and hitting trolled crankbaits just before dark. Sunnies are active on Madison Lake in depths of 10-12 feet of water. For a few crappies, hit the deeper waters on German Lake.
Waterville
Perch measuring 12- to 13-inches are being taken on fatheads worked on Lake Tetonka. Walleye action is picking up now that the water temperatures cool. Sunnies and crappies are hitting waxworms and crappie minnows in depths of 10-15 feet.
