Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update, Sept. 5, 2014 Water temperatures continue to fall, and fish are feeding more aggressively as they try to bulk up before winter. Most species will soon turn more active during midday hours, and begin to group into schools. Some of the best fishing of the year is right around the corner!
Consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Basics web page for the most current information on seasons and regulations. Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
The reefs on the east end of Rainy Lake have been best for walleye action, with fish hitting jigs tipped with minnows, leeches or worms worked in roughly 35 feet of water. Some large northern pike are being pulled from the rocky shorelines on the south shore of Rainy Lake, with lots of smallmouth bass also being taken. Northern pike anglers are also finding fish in the more weedy areas when using larger minnows. Smallmouth bass anglers are having the best luck casting lures towards shore. On the Rainy River, the best walleye and bass action remains above and below the dam at International Falls. Most anglers, however, are pursuing sturgeon, and having fairly good luck using worms trolled against the current in 12-20 feet of water. The sturgeon tag season ends September 30th. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Walleye are starting their fall feeding frenzy on schedule, with a steady bite found in 25 feet of water. Minnows and leeches have been best, however, many anglers are doing well when using crawlers and slip sinker rigs along the shallow windward shorelines. Northern pike are chasing artificial lures at the deep weed edges along the shorelines—troll or cast jerk baits for lots of action. Smallmouth bass reports have been spotty, but some fish continue to come in on spinner baits and crayfish-style worked along the shorelines and gravel bottom structure. Walleye anglers are pulling in quite a few perch and sauger as well. For the most walleye, hit the reef tops and edges, with schools of fish found in mid-Kab and east Kab areas on into Namakan. Water temperatures have dropped into the high 60s, and great fall fishing action is right around the corner, along with nice warm days, cool nights, and beautiful fall colors! 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comCook/Tower -Lake Vermilion
A fall bite is being noted on much of the lake. The walleye, bass and jumbo perch have become more active over the past couple of weeks. Minnows and crawlers on lindy rigs or jigs now offer the best bite. Areas with rocks that top out at roughly 12 feet and then drop to around 30 feet are giving up nice numbers of all three species! Also try trolling crankbaits through the 20-30 foot flats with a sand or mud bottom for good walleye numbers. 800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comEly Area Lakes
Crappie anglers report excellent action on several area lakes, with lots of 10- to 13- inch fish being taken, along with an occasional 15-inch fish. While most walleye have been on the small side, there have been decent numbers of 3-pound fish making for a perfect shore lunch or dinner. Anglers are bragging about large northern pike. For the most fish, use a spinner, spoon or large crankbait. Lake trout remain active at 45-55 feet of water, rising up the water column for the right presentation. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgDuluth/Grand Marais - Lake Superior
The Summer Creel Survey taken at the end of August indicated that fish had moved deeper along the South Shore of Lake Superior. Anglers were having the most success when using flies and flashers instead of spoons. A few muskie were being pulled from the St. Louis Estuary. One angling group picked up some nice, dark walleye near the Lester River. Coho and chinook salmon had been difficult to find. In the Upper Shore area, from Twin Points to Hovland, angling pressure was moderate, and anglers reported improved lake trout fishing at the Taconite Harbor and Grand Marais stations. While most trout weighed 2- to 5-pounds, quite a few weighed 10- to 15-pounds. The fishing has been best far offshore, with fish found suspended within 100 feet of the surface. Anglers from all stations reported sporadic salmon action. Cohos were scarce, and the few chinook reported were small, weighing 2- to 5-pounds. Most of these fish were taken near shore within 100 feet of the surface. Steelhead reports were also few and far between at the upper shore stations.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/lakesuperiorGrand Rapids
September crappies and sunnies are active at the weedline edges, and sliding to deeper water and deep woody structure. To locate schools of fish, try hovering with your electric motor over some woody structure or follow the edges of the weedlines while vertically jigging off the bottom with a jig and minnow or plastics. Walleye and perch are both frequenting the shoreline vegetation, thick submerged weeds, shallow areas with sand grass, and the outside weed edges. As the water continues to cool, walleye and perch will join the bass by dining on crayfish found on most rock bottoms and rocky structure. Northern pike and muskies will soon be active along similar shoreline structure where perch can be found. Some of the best reports are coming from Pokegama, Winnibigoshish, Wabana, and Trout lakes. Please note that the photo above shows just a few of the large September crappies recently pulled from a Grand Rapids area lake -- Congratulations, Nik Dimich & Becca Kent!
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lake of the Woods charter boats continue to do well north of Garden Island where large schools of walleye can be found in 15-25 feet of water. The most effective method has been to drift with a crawler harness. Some anglers are having success using crankbaits with downriggers or lead core line in 34 feet of water at the main water basin. On the Rainy River, walleye continue to hit jig and minnow combinations worked in areas with current seams in 15-20 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are active near the tributaries and rock piles, hitting spinnerbaits and shallow-diving crankbaits. Sturgeon anglers still report success. Up at the Northwest Angle, good numbers of walleye are being taken. Most fish are transitioning to their fall locations which are deep water points and current areas. Anglers are taking the majority of fish when jigging in depths of 20-25 feet. Muskies are very active, with numerous 45- to 52-inch caught and released. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Most of the larger lakes are producing good numbers of walleye, with Upper Red Lake still offering up amazing numbers of walleye. Some of the year’s best fishing occurs in autumn as most species try to put on weight before winter arrives. Now that fall fishing is right around the corner, expect perch to move to the shallow flats to feed. Areas covered with chara are often best since chara provides cover for both minnows and crayfish. Northern pike and muskies will be active on the outside edge of the weedlines, and may also congregate in areas with concentrations of prey. Bass will be moving out of the extreme shallows and gathering into schools on the outside edge of the weeds; if you catch one, expect more action nearby. Crappies and sunnies also become more active in the fall. 877-250-5959;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
Anglers report good walleye fishing on Big Wolf and Andrusia lakes. The best approach has been working river minnows in 14-15 feet of water along the weedlines. Northern pike anglers are having success when using heavy northern pike minnows. 800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comDetroit Lakes Area Lakes
Water temperatures in the Detroit Lakes area range from the mid-60s early in morning to roughly 70 by mid-afternoon. Walleye are still holding on the mid-lake structure, hitting minnows, leeches and crawlers. Northern pike are active at the outside edges of the weed beds on the flats close to deep water drop-offs. Try casting artificial baits or rigging large suckers for the most action. Cormorant, White Earth, Lida and Island lakes are giving up lots of smallmouth bass to walleye anglers using rigs on the steep breaks. Floyd, Long and Melissa lakes continue to produce quality largemouth bass in the shallow weeds and at the docks that are wind swept. Muskie anglers were out in full force on Sallie, Big Detroit and Pelican lakes over the holiday weekend, with reports of some muskie measuring over 50-inches. This bite will continue to improve over the next several weeks. Large crappies are coming in on jigs ripped over the flats in 9-11 feet of water on the Pines, Melissa and Toad lakes. Sunfish are beginning to group on the shallow weed flats. Stay on the move until you locate an active school of fish. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Country
Walleye are being taken by anglers using jigs and rapalas in depths of 10-20 feet. Panfish action has been great for anglers anchored at the 8-10 foot weed lines; use jigs with waxworms, nightcrawlers or crappie minnows for the most fish. Anglers are finding bass in 5-8 feet of water at the deep weed beds when using spinnerbaits, senkos and leeches. Northern pike action has been best for anglers using sucker minnows at the 12-20 foot weedlines. And muskie are being pulled from 10-20 feet of water during the day, and depths of 10-15 feet during evening hours. Use spinner baits, bull dogs, and jigs to catch those monsters. 800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comGlenwood
Anglers report good sunfish action on Maple and Pocket lakes. Lake Reno has been the most consistent producer of walleye. Anglers are taking large crappies from the west side of Lake Reno. Little information is available on Lake Minnewaska action.
www.glenwoodlakesarea.orgWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
Walleye are responding best to live-bait rigs and crankbaits worked in less than 8 feet of water along most shorelines. Minnows are beginning to turn walleye once again. And anglers continue to hook an occasional large northern pike while fishing for walleye.
www.whitefish.orgIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
As of late last week, anglers were taking walleye on leeches under slip bobbers during evening hours. The deeper waters were producing a bit better than the shallows. Some walleye were being taken during midday hours, but they were scattered. For the most daytime action, try trolling smaller hard baits on a 3-way rig or on lead core. The top colors have been perch and shiner minnow. Northern action pike has been best for anglers using sucker rigs in 8-12 feet of water along the weedlines. Wahkon and Vineland have each kicked out some very nice fish. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
Anglers report that the fish have turned hungry, and recommend using a bottom bouncer, spinner rig or a live bait rig with a crawler. Once water temperatures cool further, fathead minnows will become the bait of choice for most walleye anglers. Many panfish are still being pulled from the smaller area lakes including Point, George and Henderson. Walleye continue to be active on Eagle, Green and Diamond lakes, with some nice panfish also being reported. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Waconia
A better than normal bite continues on Lake Waconia due to the unusually cool summer temperatures. Nice bass have been common, with anglers having the most success fishing the weeds on Center, Pillsbury and North reefs. Sucker minnows have been working well, along with spinnerbaits, Texas-rigged worms and jigs. Some anglers continue to do well using topwater baits in the shallows. Also, after a rainfall, bass anglers will want to check out the Carp Trap at Peterson's Creek on the northwest side of the lake. 952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Tuesday, Sept. 2, some streams were fairly clear with normal water flow. And as of Thursday, Aug. 28, most area streams and rivers ranged from clear to slightly off, with normal water levels. On Tuesday, Aug. 26, staff monitoring the South Branch Whitewater reported a small Trico spinner fall, as well as several dozen caddis (two species), craneflies, hoppers, crickets and beetles all on the water. As further updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. You are also welcome to call the office for updates at 507-467-2442. Before traveling, please check out the new detailed fishing easement maps. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
The Labor Day weekend bite on Big Stone Lake was great for some, okay for others and a bust for a few. The perch were definitely biting, but anglers had to work a bit harder for them. The hot spots were Manhattan Reef, Goose Island, Grape Vine, BayView, and north to the Windmill Reef area. Walleye were few and far between. Those that were caught were taken during the day by anglers pulling crankbaits when the wind was blowing. Some fish were also taken during evening hours by anglers casting to the points. The fish that were caught were nice-sized. Expect greater numbers of walleye and perch to be reported over the next few weeks. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
