Minnesota Fishing Report 10.3.08
In general, water temperatures have dropped, resulting in more walleye action.
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Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, a good walleye bite is taking place on the 30- to 38-foot reefs just before Kempton Channel. Walleyes and crappies are being pulled from 34-38 feet of water in the American Narrows. Sand Bay is giving up walleyes in depths of 20-32 feet. Large northern pike have become aggressive in the Rainy River and along the weedlines throughout the main lake.
Grand Rapids
Minnows are producing walleyes on the 17-foot weedlines of Trout, Wabana, and Pokegama lakes during the day. At night, crankbaits are working best in shallower waters. Anglers report a good walleye bite when using minnows on Bowstring Lake in 8 feet of water. Sand Lake is kicking out crappies in depths of 10-20 feet, with walleyes coming from 9-17 feet of water. Jay Gould Lake has been good for lots of crappies. The power plant area of the Mississippi River is producing bluegills and crappies. Bass Lake continues to produce bluegills in depths of 16 feet. Muskie anglers are having success using crankbaits and bucktails on the Mississippi River. For northern pike, hit 20-30 feet of water using large shiner minnows on Lake Pokegama.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, the wind-blown shoreline areas are giving up walleyes in 15-20 feet of water and in depths of 26-35 feet. Sucker minnows are triggering northern pike in the weedy bays with current, including Lost, Daily, and Mud bays on Lake Kabetogama, and Junction Bay on Lake Namakan. Crappie action remains slow.
Grand Marais
Large walleyes are being pulled from 35-40 feet of water on Saganaga and Seagull lakes. Minnows are turning walleyes in depths of 20 feet on East Bearskin and Devils Track lakes, and in 15-20 feet of water on Devil’s Fish Lake. Lake trout can be found suspended at 50 feet on Clearwater Lake, and at 40 feet of water on Trout Lake. Spoons continue to work best for numbers of lakers. Trout Lake is kicking out rainbow trout, with most fish found suspended about 20 feet down.
Duluth
On Fish Lake, walleyes are coming from 10 feet of water, with crappies being pulled from the narrows and Highbanks areas. Rice Lake is giving up quite a few northern pike in depths of 4 feet. Walleyes can be found in 7 feet of water on Rice Lake. Muskie anglers are having success using large minnows and buzzbaits on the shallow reefs of Island Lake. Salmon have started moving into the Lester River, as well as most North Shore streams.
McGregor
Walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations worked on the sharp breaks of Big Sandy Lake and the Big Sandy Flowage during evening hours. Crappies are coming from 10-14 feet of water on Big Sandy and Minnewawa lakes. Large suckers and shiner minnows have been the key to northern pike numbers at the weedlines of Big Sandy Lake.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
Several anglers have reported that the shiners are moving into the Clementson Rapids area of the Rainy River, and the walleyes should be right behind. On Lake of the Woods, a jig and minnow combination, and a downrigging approach, have produced walleyes outside the Lighthouse Gap and along Pine Island. Trolling minnows around Zippel Bay in 18-21 feet of water has also triggered walleyes.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, the walleyes have started hitting minnows and crankbaits in 10-14 feet of water. Gull and Blackduck lakes are giving up sunfish and crappies in depths of 10-15 feet.
Bemidji
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 8-14 feet of water on Lake Plantagenet, and in depths of 30-35 feet on Cass Lake. The muskie bite remains strong on most area lakes, and Bemidji, Cass, and Plantagenet lakes are each giving up a few fish.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the best walleye and perch action is taking place in 8-12 feet of water. For the most fish, work the points, shoreline breaks, and weedlines using a jig and minnow. Some of the better locations this week include the Bird Houses, Little Stoney Point, Sugar Point, Mallard Point, and the Highbanks. Northern pike are also hitting minnows, with most fish being taken along with the walleyes.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations in 7-12 feet of water near Goose Island, the Hardwoods, and the Meadows. Sugar and Battle points are also giving up fish when the wind is blowing into these points. Work the weeds in the narrows for lots of perch. The majority of muskies coming in are being pulled from Portage Bay.
Hackensack
Walleye action has improved, with minnows taking fish from 18-24 feet of water on Ten Mile, Birch, and Woman lakes. The weedlines of Ten Mile Lake have provided a consistent northern pike bite. Crappie action has improved on most area lakes in 12-14 feet, with most fish coming in on small jigs and minnows.
Park Rapids
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 20-32 feet of water on Upper and Lower Bottle, Fish Hook, and Potato lakes. Sunfish are being pulled from depths of 10-12 feet on Fourth Crow Wing Lake. Large minnows are producing northern pike on Fish Hook Lake in 14 feet of water. Bass continue to be pulled from the deep weedlines on most lakes.
Detroit Lakes
The shallow humps and cabbage on Big Detroit Lake are producing numbers of muskies, with topwater baits working best. Walleye action remains strong throughout the area. For the most fish, use minnows in the shallows of Big Detroit, Pelican, Big Cormorant, Floyd, and Island lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over 20 feet of water on Big Detroit, Melissa, and Sallie lakes. Look for bluegills at the deep cabbage on Island and Big Detroit lakes. Bass and northern pike action remains strong on most area lakes.
Battle Lake
A jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes on Otter Tail, West Battle, Rush, and Walker lakes in 12-20 feet of water. At night, try crankbaits in depths of 5-7 feet on these lakes. Bass remain active on most area lakes, with the larger fish hitting minnows and spinnerbaits in 12-15 feet of water. Northern pike are taking spoons and sucker minnows at the weedlines on Clitherall, Otter Tail, and West Battle lakes. Crappies and sunfish are coming from depths of 10-20 feet on Clitherall, West Battle, and Dead lakes.
For muskies, use crankbaits around the docks, and sucker minnows in the weeds on West Battle Lake.
Alexandria
Walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations at the weedlines throughout the Le Homme Dieu Chain. Lakes Ida and Miltona are giving up walleyes in 25-40 feet of water, depending on the time of day. Muskies seem to be more active on Lobster and Miltona lakes. Bucktails and topwater lures are triggering the most fish. Bass action remains strong at the remaining green weeds on most lakes.
Starbuck
A jig and minnow is producing walleyes on the 12- to 15-foot points of Lake Minnewaska. For the most fish, try trolling crankbaits along the shallow bulrushes at night. On Lake Reno, crankbaits are turning a few walleyes in 7-10 feet of water at night. Minnows have also produced walleyes on Sauk Lake in depths of 4-6 feet.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, the walleye bite is strong, with fatheads and shiner minnows taking fish from 12-18 feet of water. Look to Center, Banana, Two Mile, and Half Mile bars for the most fish. Sunfish action has slowed, but the north end continues to produce some fish in depths of 12-16 feet. Northern pike remain active at the bars and weedlines.
Sauk Rapids
Smallmouth bass continue to hit minnows and crankbaits on the Mississippi and Rum rivers. Walleye action remain slow. Sunnies and crappies are coming from 12-14 feet of water on Green and Blue lakes. Look for the larger pike to start hitting minnows along the weedlines of most lakes.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleyes are hitting lindy rigs and redtails on Gull Lake in 18-35 feet of water. Jigs and rainbow minnows have also produced walleyes on North Long Lake in depths of 20-35 feet. Large sucker minnows are producing northern pike in the shallow weeds of most lakes. Crappies are being pulled from 10-15 feet of water on most of the smaller area lakes. The bass bite is strong throughout the area.
Emily/Outing
A good evening walleye bite is being reported by anglers using minnows and jigs at the upper end of Roosevelt Lake in 12-14 feet of water. Bass continue to hit topwater lures at the shallow weedlines of Ruth, East Fox, and West Fox lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over depths of 14-18 feet on Eagle Lake. Minnows are producing good-sized pike at the weedlines of Emily, Mitchell, and Ruth lakes.
Crosby
A jig and redtail combination is producing walleyes in 22-24 feet of water during the day. At night, walleyes can be found in waters as shallow as 6 feet, especially on Rabbit, Serpent, and Pelican lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over 20-24 feet of water on Rabbit and Serpent lakes. Bluegill action has been good in 8-12 feet on Mahnomen and Black Hoof lakes.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, on the east end of the lake, walleye action has improved during evening hours, with fish being pulled from the 5- to 8-foot rocks on crankbaits, and on leeches under slip bobbers. During the day, work the deep gravel for a few fish. Perch are being pulled from the bays on minnows worked over depths of 9-12 feet. On the west end of the lake, large northern pike have started hitting on the weedlines in depths of 11 feet in St. Alban’s Bay. The number of walleye anglers has been limited so it’s been tough to gauge the walleye bite. A few anglers have been out trolling crankbaits on the rocks late at night. These anglers report catching an occasional fish. Perch and muskie reports have also been limited.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
The walleyes have started hitting minnows on Lake Koronis in 10-16 feet of water. Rice Lake is giving up a few walleyes in shallower waters. On Horseshoe Lake, look for crappies and sunfish in depths of 6-10 feet. Pearl, Cedar Island, and Becker lakes are giving up panfish. The northern pike bite has greatly improved on the shallow weedlines of most lakes.
Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
Clearwater, Sugar, and Cedar lakes are producing walleyes in 12-24 feet of water. Jigs and spinner rigs tipped with minnows or crawlers have been the key to success. Cedar and Clearwater lakes are producing sunfish in depths of 10-12 feet. Crankbaits trolled on the weedlines of Clearwater, Sugar, John, and Pleasant lakes are turning some good-sized northern pike. Muskie anglers are seeing fish on Sugar Lake, but few are biting.
Prior Lake
Look for sunnies and crappies on Hydes Lake in 12-14 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Lake Auburn, mainly along the outside weed edge in depths of 10-12 feet. Bass are active on most area lakes. For catfish, work the deep holes using sucker minnows on the Minnesota River.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, a jig and fathead minnow is producing walleyes in 16-20 feet of water during the day. During afternoon and early evening hours, work the tops and sides of the main-lake reefs. Muskie anglers are seeing fish, and
even hooking a few, when using topwater baits along the shorelines of Wagener’s and Waconia bays. For panfish and bass, work the weedlines located just off the reefs.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, walleyes are hitting lindy rigs and minnows in 20-26 feet of water during the day in Brown’s and Wayzata bays. At night, work the channels using a jig and minnow combination or a crankbait in 8-12 feet of water. Muskies are coming from the 14-foot weedlines adjacent to deeper waters. Panfish have been active in depths of 8-10 feet. Northern pike are hitting spinnerbaits and sucker minnows on top of the 12-foot flats. Bass anglers are hooking fish near the docks early in the day, with fish also being taken on jigs worked in the 12-foot milfoil during midday hours.
Chisago City
Northern pike are active, and hitting sucker minnows in 12-14 feet of water on Green and Sunrise lakes. Some walleye action is being reported on Green, Chisago, and South Lindstrom lakes in depths of 10-12 feet. For bass, use spinnerbaits and crankbaits on North Center, South Center, and Chisago lakes. Chisago is also the area’s best bet for panfish, especially in depths of 12-14 feet.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
The muskie bite is going strong at the 8- to 12-foot weedlines on White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. A few walleyes are coming from the Prescott and Hudson areas of the St. Croix River. The Mississippi River is also giving up walleyes. On Big Marine Lake, try fathead minnows at the weedlines for a few walleyes. Silver, Demontreville, and Jane lakes have been good for both bass and northern pike.
Southern Minnesota
Mankato
A jig and fathead minnow combination is producing walleyes along the shoreline on the southeast end of Lake Hanska. Walleyes are also coming from 12-14 feet of water at Second Point on Lake Washington. Sunfish continue to hit in depths of 10-12 feet on Madison, Francis, and Washington lakes. A good bass bite is being reported on the shorelines of Madison and Washington lakes.
Fairmont
Catfish continue to hit crawlers and minnows on George, Hall, Fox, and Budd lakes. A few walleyes are coming in on minnows worked in 15 feet of water on Hall Lake. Crappies and sunnies are active in 8-10 feet of water on lakes Hall, Budd, and Sissiton. Fox Lake continues to produce an occasional muskie and a few northern pike.
Ortonville
A jig and minnow combination is producing a few walleyes during evening hours off the docks of Big Stone Lake. The perch bite has slowed a bit on Big Stone, but a few fish continue to come from Schmidt’s Landing to Hartford Beach in 12 feet of water. A few walleyes are being caught at the Marsh Lake Dam on the Minnesota River by anglers using minnows and jigs. Catfish are active on the river near the Highway 75 dam.
Willmar
Look for walleyes in 20-30 feet of water on Green Lake, with smallmouth bass being pulled from depths of 4-20 feet. Eagle Lake is producing walleyes and sunfish in 10-20 feet of water. Diamond Lake is giving up fish in depths of 10-12 feet. On Big Kandiyohi Lake, walleyes and smallmouth bass are hitting minnows in 10 feet of water or less.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
