Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, October 17
In general, while angler numbers have diminished on Minnesota waters, walleye action remains strong.
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Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, Sand Bay and the American Narrows are producing walleyes in 30-38 feet of water. Most main-lake reefs are now holding walleyes, with the best activity taking place in depths of 32-40 feet. A jig and minnow presented vertically has been the best approach. Crappies seem to be showing up in a greater numbers of areas, with good reports coming from most bays and shallow reefs.
Grand Rapids
A jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes in 12-18 feet of water on Pokegama, Bowstring, Trout, and Sugar lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over depths of 12-20 feet on Jay Gould, Big Splithand, and Pokegama lakes. Northern pike are hitting minnows in 15-20 feet of water on Lake Pokegama.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, walleyes are being pulled from 30 feet of water. The shoreline structure has been more productive than the reefs, especially when using light-colored jigs and minnows. For northern pike, work the soft-bottomed, weedy bays using sucker minnows. A few crappies are being taken from the deep waters on Lake Namakan.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, muskie anglers are finding fish tight to the remaining weeds and along the windswept rocky shorelines. Most fish are chasing crankbaits or hair baits, with trolling expected to soon produce fish. Walleye reports have been minimal, however the lake is in the process of turning over.
Grand Marais
Walleyes are hitting minnows worked in 30-35 feet of water on Lake Saganaga. McFarland Lake is producing walleyes in depths of 20 feet, with fish also coming from 15-20 feet of water on Devil’s Track Lake. Walleye anglers are taking fish on minnows worked in depths of 35 feet on Homer Lake. On Rose Lake, crawlers are triggering rainbow trout over depths of 40 feet of water. Rainbows can also be found close to shore on Kimball and Mink lakes.
Duluth
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 12 feet of water on Island Lake. On Fish Lake, crappies are being pulled from depths of 16 feet in the narrows. On Lake Superior, a few kamloops and cohos have been taken while trolling spoons and stickbaits near the surface. Large sucker minnows are producing muskies on Island Lake, and northern pike on Rice Lake.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, walleyes are filtering into the Rainy River as they chase shiner minnows. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow combination in 18-26 feet of water from Four Mile Bay into the river roughly three miles. In the Clementson Rapids area, walleyes are being pulled from depths of 16-18 feet. At the Northwest Angle, anglers are taking walleyes, perch, and crappies by jigging in 18-20 feet of water around Oak and Flag islands.
Blackduck
Walleyes are hitting minnows and crankbaits worked in 10-14 feet of water on Blackduck Lake. The panfish bite remains strong on Blackduck, Rabideau, Gilstead, and Pimushe lakes. Overall, crappies can be found suspended slightly deeper than the bluegills.
Bemidji
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 5-8 feet of water and in depths of 17-20 feet on Lake Bemidji. On lakes Plantagenet, Andrusia, and Cass, walleyes are active in 16-22 feet of water. The shallow weedlines on Turtle Lake are producing walleyes. The best muskie reports are coming from anglers using crankbaits and swim baits on Lake Bemidji.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, while angler numbers have dropped dramatically, walleyes continue to be taken. Little Stoney Point remains a safe bet when using a jig and minnow combination in 7-10 feet of water. The north end of the lake and the Cutfoot Sioux area are also giving up fish in slightly deeper waters. For crappies, hit depths of 20-24 feet on Cutfoot Sioux.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleyes continue to hit jigs and minnows during the day, and crankbaits at night. Otter Tail Point, First Duck Island, the Goose Island Flats, and the Hardwoods are giving up fish in 6-12 feet of water. The Walker Bay humps are producing numbers of large walleyes in depths of 25-35 feet. A few perch are being taken from the Walker Narrows towards Star Point in 10-14 feet of water.
Hackensack
During the day, minnows are producing walleyes in 18-22 feet of water on Woman Lake. Fish can also be found in slightly shallower waters at night. Crappies can be found suspended over depths of 16 feet on Pleasant and Ten Mile lakes. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are active on most area lakes. Muskie action has improved, with fish being taken on crankbaits and bucktails.
Park Rapids
A few anglers are venturing out, and catching walleyes on Potato Lake in 18-24 feet of water. On Upper Bottle Lake, redtails are turning walleyes after dark in depths of 16-22 feet. The Crow Wing Chain is giving up panfish and northern pike in 8-12 feet of water.
Battle Lake
Walleyes are hitting minnows worked in 17-24 feet of water during the day on Rush, East Battle, Otter Tail, Blanche, and West Battle lakes. At night, crankbaits are working best in the shallower waters. Crappies can be found suspended over depths of 17-20 feet on Clitherall and West Battle lakes. West Battle Lake is also giving up muskies and northern pike. For sunfish, hit 6-10 feet of water on Clitherall, Blanche, Stalker, and Deer lakes.
Alexandria
Lakes Miltona and Ida are producing walleyes in 30-50 feet of water. On lakes Carlos, Darling, and Le Homme Dieu, look for walleyes in depths of 17-20 feet using shiners, fatheads, and redtails. Lakes Victoria and Geneva are giving up crappies and sunnies in 8-12 feet of water. Miltona and Lobster lakes are kicking out a few muskies, with anglers taking fish by trolling crankbaits or casting bucktails.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, Center, Banana, Half Mile, and Two Mile bars are producing walleyes in 12-20 feet of water. The north end remains the best panfish option with anglers taking fish from depths of 12-16 feet. Look for bass and northern pike in the weeds.
Sauk Centre
Walleyes remain active, with redtails and shiner minnows producing fish on Big Birch Lake in 24-40 feet of water. On McCormick Lake, try fatheads along the south shore in depths of 3-5 feet. Anglers report an evening bite on Lake Reno when using shiner minnows and crankbaits in 12-16 feet of water.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleye anglers are taking fish on shiners, redtails, rainbows, and creek chubs. The best action has been in 13-32 feet of water on Gull, North Long, and Pelican lakes. Large minnows are turning northern pike in the shallows of these lakes. Panfish action has been consistent, with the greatest numbers of larger fish coming from depths of 13 feet on most area lakes.
Cross Lake
The lakes have turned over, and walleye action has improved. The Whitefish Chain and Pelican Lake are producing fish in 24-34 feet of water. Anglers using small sucker minnows and lindy rigs are taking northern pike and largemouth bass from the shallows of most area lakes. Most lakes and rivers are giving up smallmouth bass to anglers using crankbaits and surface lures. Crappies and sunnies can be found in depths of 14 feet on many area lakes.
Emily
The weedlines on the north end of Lake Esquagamah are holding crappies, with most fish found suspended. Minnows are producing good-sized bass on Eagle Lake. For northern pike, hit 6-12 feet of water on Kego and Blue lakes. Walleye action has been limited.
Crosby
Walleyes are active on Pelican Lake in 35-45 feet of water during the day, and in depths of 28-35 feet at sundown. A few walleyes can be had on Serpent and Rabbit lakes in depths of 30 feet during evening hours. Northern pike are being taken on spinnerbaits and spoons worked in 6-10 feet of water on most lakes.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, on the east end of the lake, Isle, Wahkon, and Cove bays are giving up lots of small- to medium-sized perch on jig and minnow combinations worked in 9-12 feet of water. A few walleyes are coming in on crankbaits worked at night on the shallow rocks. On the west end of the lake, anglers trolling crankbaits at night are taking a few walleyes from the 8- to 12-foot shoreline breaks and rocks. During the day, try slip bobbers and leeches on the mud flats in depths of 28 feet.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Walleyes are active around the islands and along the weedlines on Lake Koronis. On Rice Lake, walleyes are coming from 12-15 feet of water on minnows. Sunfish action is strong in depths of 6-10 feet on Becker, Cedar Island, and Horseshoe lakes. Crappies can be found suspended in 14-17 feet of water on these lakes.
Zimmerman/Elk River
Blue and Green lakes are producing crappies and sunnies in 12 feet of water. Look to the deep holes of the Rum River and Mississippi River for smallmouth bass and a few walleyes.
Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 8-16 feet of water on Clearwater Lake. On Sugar, Cedar, and Granite lakes, walleyes are being pulled from depths of 14-22 feet. While panfish action has slowed, Clearwater, Sugar, and Sylvia lakes continue to produce a few fish in 10-14 feet of water.
Prior Lake
Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows and spoons on Minnewashta, Auburn, and Pierson lakes in depths of 12-14 feet. Crappies and sunnies are being pulled from 8-10 feet of water on Hydes Lake, with sunfish coming from depths of 10-12 feet on Christmas Lake. Anglers fishing from shore on the Minnesota River are catching some small catfish.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, the marina has been closed until ice forms. Anglers that continue to venture out are catching walleyes on the reefs and weedlines on jigs and fatheads. Muskie action remains strong, with anglers taking fish on crankbaits and bucktails worked on top of the reefs and shoreline breaks. And look for panfish in the weeds adjacent to these reefs.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the remaining green weeds are giving up bass and northern pike in 8-10 feet of water. Some larger crappies can be found suspended along the deep weedlines and 15-foot breaks. Walleyes are being taken during the day on minnows worked in depths of 10-15 feet. Crankbaits have also produced walleyes when worked in the channels at night.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
Walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations in the bottleneck areas of the St. Croix River. Sucker minnows are producing muskies on White Bear Lake, with muskies hitting topwater lures on the St. Croix. Pike and bass continue to pulled from the remaining weedlines of Elmo, Silver, Jane, and Demontreville lakes.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
Walleyes and sauger are starting to hit jig and minnow combinations below the dam in 8-12 feet of water on the Mississippi River. Walleye anglers are also taking fish by trolling shad raps on the 15- to 18-foot rocks on Lake Pepin. The docks in Baypoint Park are giving up panfish. Anglers report some big flatheads coming from below the dam.
Willmar
Eagle Lake is producing bass, panfish, and a few walleyes in 12-18 feet of water. On Green Lake, walleyes are hitting minnows in depths of 20-30 feet during the day, and in the shallows at night. Look for panfish and walleyes in 10-25 feet of water on Diamond Lake during afternoon hours.
Ortonville
Walleye anglers are taking fish close to shore on the south end of Big Stone Lake after dark. For the most fish, use jigs tipped with minnows or plastics. The Minnesota River is producing walleyes in the “low flow” area on jigs and minnows.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
