Statewide Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, October 2

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Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.

Fall weather has arrived, and the water temperatures are now dropping. This change in water temperature should result in an increase in fishing action throughout the state.

Northeastern Minnesota

International Falls

Rainy Lake walleyes have been very active. Anglers are doing well in 35-40 feet of water when using minnows. Some of the areas mentioned are the reefs east of Dryweed Island and the groups of islands between Crystal Beach and Grindstone Island. Smallmouth bass have been aggressive, and are active from the rocky shorelines around Dove and Cranberry bays. Crappies are biting in 10-14 feet of water in Black Bay. On the Rainy River, walleyes are concentrating in the area between the Shorewood Drive Landing and the golf course. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Last weekend brought more seasonable temperatures, and anglers found it a bit more difficult to determine the best approach. Walleyes tend to move deep and hang at the bottom during fall-like weather. Other species do the same, just not as deep as the walleyes. The recommended approach is to search for walleyes in the deeper pockets found in roughly 30-35 feet of water. Chase, Richie, and further towards Namakan should all be good locations for walleyes. Northern pike anglers should check out depths of 12-18 feet off the shorelines and weedlines, especially in Mud, Daily and Nebraska bays. Crappies will begin to school as weather patterns stabilize ? check out the mid-Kabetogama structure, the reefs near the Martin Islands, and around Ash River. Fall color should be at peak roughly this weekend, just another reason anglers and hunters will want to venture out. For further information, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Ely

Basswood Lake has been excellent for good numbers of large fish! Northern pike measuring up to 40-inches, and lots of large walleyes worthy of hanging on a wall have been reported this week. Northerns were responding to large topwater baits early in the morning, and large plugs and spinnerbaits during the day. Some walleye anglers did exceptionally well when trolling x-raps and husky jerks at the drops between 16-25 feet ? others took good numbers when setting up a drift using a jig and minnow rig. Shagawa Lake has been turning out some nice eating-size walleyes in the 16- to 18-inch range. Again, try dragging a spinner rig with a crawler or minnow to locate fish, then work the area using either a crankbait or a jig tipped with half a crawler or a minnow. Crappie action is decent now that the water temperatures have risen, with fish dropping down into cooler water and suspending over the deeper drops. The best approach is a small feathered jig or curly tail. Some larger crappies are being taken by walleye anglers trolling on White Iron Lake. Expect the numbers to improve even more now that the temperatures have cooled and the area has received some much needed rainfall. To learn more, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Lutsen-Tofte

To find out which techniques are working best, dial 1-888-616-6784, or check out www.americasnorthcoast.org

Duluth/Lake Superior & inland lakes

Lake Superior fishing pressure has been light to moderate now that the trout season has ended on Thursday, September 30. Several Chinook salmon were taken this past week. They were pulled from the top 35 feet of water. Lake water temperatures have been in the upper-60s. On the inland area lakes, walleyes continue to hit minnows worked in depths of 8-10 feet on Boulder and Fish lakes. Anglers on the St. Louis River and Island Lake are seeing a few muskies, but having a tough time getting them to bite. Rice Lake has been good for northern pike in less than 6 feet of water, and Fish Lake is giving up pike in depths of 10-12 feet. To find out more, and to locate charter boats and guide services, dial 1-800-4-duluth, or visit www.visitduluth.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Rainy River water temperatures are 65- to 67-degrees. More fall-like weather should result in an emerald shiner run up the Rainy River in the near future, followed by an increase in walleye activity. Walleyes are being caught just outside of the Lighthouse Gap in 28 feet of water on gold and silver spinners with crawlers. During evening hours, fish are biting in depths of 16-18 feet north Graceton reef around the rocks. Many boats are starting to anchor and jig in Four Mile Bay and at the mouth of the Rainy River. Around the Northwest Angle and Islands area, the best fishing spots seem to be those that were best in July and August, including areas around McPherson Island, Tug Channel and Johnston Passage. For the most fish, hit 15-25 feet of water using minnows on a gold, glow-in-the-dark, or brightly colored jig. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Cass Lake/Deer River/Lake Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux

To learn about the best locations and methods to fish area lakes, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Bemidji

The first frost of the season just hit, and the leaves are changing color rapidly ? fall color should be excellent for the next couple of weeks! The surface water temperatures have dropped into the lower 60s and colder, sending most species of fish into their fall patterns. Walleyes have become more active, with many walleyes dropping off the sides of the structure into depths of 20-30 feet in the deeper lakes. In the large, shallow lakes, such as Winnibigoshish, Upper Red, and the main basin of Leech, walleyes are biting in 6-12 feet of water. Fishing is best in these shallow lakes when winds are calm or light. Northern pike and muskies are often concentrated in very specific areas which anglers must locate to have success. Surface activity, such as swirls in the water, will often give away the locations of the predators chasing pre-spawn tulibees in the shallows. Bass will begin to school more tightly on the outside edge of the weeds. Crappies can be found at the hard bottomed areas in deeper water, and may also be suspended over deep water near structure. Stay vertical over the fish and use electronics to catch these suspended crappies. Perch are at the shallow flats in the large shallow lakes, and in the deeper water in the deep lakes, often with the walleyes. Sunfish anglers should look for the last stands of healthy green weeds, and if the sunfish cannot be found here, check the moderate depth mud flats off the sides of the areas where the sunfish were located this summer. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Central Minnesota

Miltona

Fishing on Lake Miltona has improved, however it is sometimes difficult to find fish. Anglers are catching fish in depths 19-28 feet of water. Bait anglers are taking fish either moving fast with bottom bouncers and spinners, and by slowing down and jigging with minnows. Crappie action has been consistent, with most fish having relocated to their preferred fall locations in depths of 10-12 feet. The water temperatures are dropping and the current cool temperatures should result in an increase in action in the coming weeks. Water temperatures are currently in the mid- to upper-60?s. To learn more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Pine River Area Lakes

To find out which species of fish are biting and where to find them, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Brainerd/Nisswa Area Lakes

Walleyes remain active on Upper Whitefish, Pelican and many of the smaller area lakes. Anglers report that lindy rigs tipped with redtails or nightcrawlers are working extremely well in 18-22 feet of water. The water temperatures remain warm, but more seasonable fall weather should cause them to drop. Bass can be found deeper along the submerged humps. Northern pike remain active along the weedlines, hitting spinner rigs with pike minnows. Panfish and crappies are hitting waxworms and angle worms in depths of 14-16 feet. To learn more, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

Fall weather has arrived, and the water temperatures are now dropping. Look for the walleyes to become more active in the shallows, especially by the next full moon on October 4. Expect water temperatures to dip into the low 60?s and high 50?s in the coming weeks. At this time, anglers typically switch to trolling crankbaits through the shallow reefs. Muskie action remains slow due to an abundant forage base. Smallmouth bass continue to bite, with anglers doing well when shallow reef sight fishing or fan-casting crankbaits. The perch bite will heat up in the south bays once the water temperatures approach 55-degrees. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

Fall fishing and fall color have been spectacular in the Willmar lakes area! Solomon Lake has been one of the most active walleye lakes in the past two weeks. Other lakes to check out include Long, Eagle, Green, Florida and Andrew. For panfish, hit Nest, Andrew, and North Long lakes. To learn more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area

Chisago Lake is giving up lots of crappies right on the channel. On Green Lake, hit the channel for walleyes. The north end of North Center Lake is giving up quite a few walleyes to anglers using jigs and minnows. And for large northern pike, hit South Center Lake using suckers or crankbaits. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakeschamber.com

White Bear Lake

To learn about which species are biting and where they can be located, dial 651/653-5122, or visit www.ExploreWhiteBear.org

Waconia

For information on where to find fish on Lake Waconia, dial 952/442-5812, or check out www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Cannon Falls

For information on which species of fish are biting in the area and how to find them, dial 507/263-2289, or visit www.cannonfalls.org

Lake City

To learn about which species are biting and where they can be located in Lake Pepin, on the Mississippi River, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Albert Lea

Albert Lea and Fountain lakes are producing lots of perch and bass. Anglers having the most success are using leeches and black lures in the shallow waters. The catfish and crappie action has slowed somewhat. To learn more, visit www.albertleatourism.org, or dial 507/373-2316

Fairmont Area Chain Of Lakes

For information on what techniques are currently working best, dial 1-800-657-3280, or visit www.visitfairmontmn.com