The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Duluth, where the St. Louis River, Lake Superior and other area lakes are giving up good numbers of nice-size walleyes.
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Island Lake walleyes remain active on the reefs in 12-15 feet of water, with slip bobbers working best. On Fish Lake, small stickbaits worked at the bottom in 12-14 foot depths are producing fish on windy days. Boulder Lake is consistently giving up fish on leeches and crawlers. On the St. Louis River, near Whaleback and down by the lower basin, anglers are reporting good numbers of large walleyes, with muskies also starting to show up. On Lake Superior, walleyes are coming out of depths of 10-40 feet of water when trolling stickbaits. Cohos and lake trout are also being taken. Up the North Shore, anglers are doing well when trolling for rainbows. Also check the south shore outside the basin near Dutchman’s Creek using crankbaits in 30 feet of water, roughly 15 feet down. Chartreuse and yellow with orange have been good color combinations. Catfish action on the Cloquet and St. Louis Rivers has been good. Recent rains are expected to improve shore fishing.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, anglers are doing well with all species despite the mayflies. Harvest-size walleyes, measuring less than 17 inches, can be found in depths of 30-plus feet of water when using crawlers and leeches. Spinners and colored hooks are optional. Slip sinker rigs cover the most area--change speeds to trigger action and for better spinner presentation. The structure near the flats, as well as windblown sides of reefs and islands, have been producing good numbers. The eastern end of Kabetogama may be best for walleye action as the water temperature warms. Northern pike remain active along the weed edges and on top of the weeds. Some of the more productive bays this time of year are Mud, Daily, Nebraska, Blind Ash and Lost bays. Smallmouth bass are a little sluggish, probably due to just completing their spawn, however action should rapidly improve. Look for these fish at rocky structures where crayfish can be found.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, walleye fishing has slowed somewhat due to a change in the water levels and the recent bad weather. Most of these fish have started to move to deeper water. Anglers are having some luck using spinners, and drifting worms and leeches in 21-29 feet of water. Northern locations have been best, especially at Garden Island, Little Oak Island, Stony Point, and the Four Blocks. The sturgeon season opened July 1st, and the Rainy River is already producing some very large fish. The best approach has been a large sucker minnow worked in 14-15 feet of water. The water temperature is roughly 68 degrees, and water clarity is improving each day. Walleye activity is also improving in the river. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, the fish have moved to 24 feet and deeper, with anglers taking a mix of walleyes and northern pike around Oak Island. Some walleye anglers continue to do well bottom bouncing on the reefs just south of Oak Island.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, the walleye bite remains fair at the mid-lake structure when using leeches and crawlers. The bluegills and crappies are active on the smaller area lakes, and especially on Lake Rabideau.
Bemidji
Walleyes are hitting trolled shad raps after dark at Diamond Bar on Lake Bemidji, and out on the Cass Lake chain. During the day, pull leeches or crawlers on a lindy rig through depths of 25-30 feet for a few fish. Muskie anglers are taking a few fish from Bemidji and Plantagenet lakes on bucktails. Bass, crappies and bluegills remain very active throughout the area, and especially on Grace Lake.
Bena
The mayfly hatch is in full swing on Lake Winnibigoshish and other area lakes, however the walleyes continue to bite. The wind has been a bigger problem, making it difficult to access some of the favorite spots and fish them properly. Leeches and nightcrawlers have been the best bet when worked slowly using a roach rig--on windy days, use a 3/4 ounce egg sinker and a 6-8 foot snell. Glow hooks and number 7 and 8 shad raps have also been producing fish in depths of 10-14 feet, with lots of walleyes and nice northern pike being taken. Northern pike have been most active at the fully grown cabbage beds. The best approach has been a husky jerk or spoon trolled quickly. The off-shore structure has been best for walleyes--hit Bena Bar, Long Bar, Center, Big Bend and Little Musky for the most fish. The humps are also producing fish.
Walker
On Leech Lake, fishing has been good at The Meadows, Submarine Island and Pelican Island when using spinners and nightcrawlers. Lots of nice-size perch are also being taken. The sand is giving up fish, especially when using bobbers and leeches at night. Bass, northern pike and muskies are very active in the bays, however most are on the small side. For the most bass, hit Uran, Boy and Steamboat bays using plastics--morning and evening hours have been best.
Hackensack
Birch and Webb lakes continue to produce a few bass on natural-colored plastic worms worked very slowly at the deeper breaks. Crappies have settled into their summer patterns, with most anglers finding fish in 12-16 feet of water using a crappie minnow and small jig. For the most fish, work the tops and sides of the cabbage weeds using a black or dark green jig and a minnow. Ten Mile and Birch lakes are both giving up good numbers between 8:30 and 10:00 pm. Walleyes are responding best to leeches, however crawlers are still producing fish. Anglers are taking a few fish from Ten Mile during the day, and a few when trolling 12-18 feet of water during evening hours. Northern pike are coming out of Webb and Pleasant lakes on trolled rapalas worked in 20-30 feet of water.
Park Rapids
Walleyes are being pulled from 18-21 feet of water on Long Lake, with leeches working best. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows worked in 16-20 feet of water on Potato Lake. Crappies can be found suspended in depths of 20 feet on the Crow Wing Chain. Bluegills are active throughout the area, and especially on Fishhook Lake in 10-14 feet of water--waxworms have been best. Bad Medicine Lake is producing trout in 30-40 foot depths. Bass action remains excellent, with fish coming in on spinners worked in the pencil reeds.
Pelican Rapids
Walleyes are coming out of Lida, Star and Lizzie lakes on slip bobbers and leeches worked in roughly 20 feet of water. Bluegills are hitting crawlers in 13-14 feet of water along the deeper cabbage weeds. Travel the edge of the weeds until you locate fish--expect non-stop action once fish have been located. Crappies can be found suspended in the same location.
Battle Lake
Walleyes are being taken from Rush Lake, mostly at night, when using a leech in roughly 17 feet of water. On Battle Lake, walleyes are hitting leeches in depths of 20-25 feet. Ottertail Lake is giving up fish on crawlers and leeches worked in 22 feet of water--on windy days, hit the top of the flats in 7 feet of water. Some nice northern pike are being pulled from Clitheral Lake when trolling sucker minnows through the weeds. Muskie action has picked up, and anglers are doing well on Battle Lake when pulling plugs and bobber fishing with large sucker minnows. Sunnies are biting on Molly Stark, Clitheral, Battle and Star lakes. On Star Lake, anglers are finding some large fish using small leeches. The bass remain very active throughout the area, with lots of fish being taken on plastics cast into the shallow weeds.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, sunnies are hitting small leeches and waxworms under a slip bobber, with the largest fish pulled from 10-12 feet of water. On the south side, about 1 1/2-miles out from Starbuck, crappies can be found suspended about 5 feet off the bottom in 15 feet of water when using a crappie minnow and slip bobber. For bass, try spinners or jumbo leeches in the bullrushes during morning hours, and move into deeper waters as the day progresses. Northern pike anglers are taking fish at the creek mouths on sucker minnows under a bobber.
Crosslake
Walleye anglers are taking fish very late at night and very early in the morning when using crawlers, leeches and redtails. A few fish are starting to come in on rapalas trolled over the deep water. Bass are hitting plastic worms and surface lures worked at the weedlines and under the docks.
Nisswa
Bass and northern pike fishing has been excellent on most area lakes. Rapalas or plastic worms are producing large bass along the 14-16 foot weedlines. For walleyes, hit the Whitefish Chain using lindy rigs tipped with redtail chubs or leeches in depths of 14-24 feet. A slow and steady approach has been best. Panfish remain very active in 8-10 foot depths. The crappies are starting to show up again during early morning and evening hours.
Crosby
Large bluegills are being taken on most area lakes. The crappie bite has been consistent, especially during evening hours. Small plastics have been best for the larger panfish--try small tubes, such as peg legs and puddle jumpers under a bobber or worked slowly in and along the weeds for the most fish. Walleyes are coming out of Pelican, North Long and Rabbit lakes, and from the Mississippi River on crankbaits. Northern pike anglers are doing well using minnows under a bobber, or a crankbait or spinner along the breaks and over the weeds. Bass action continues to improve daily, with Horseshoe, Serpent, West Rabbit, Lower Mission and Clearwater lakes producing the best numbers. Portsmouth and Huntington mines remain best for rainbow and brook trout. For the most fish, use powerbait during morning and evening hours.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, a good walleye bite continues on the rocks and mud. For the most fish, use a slip bobber and leech, or try trolling crawlers over the mud flats, especially during evening hours. Bass are active along the shorelines. The largest fish are coming from the the gravel and mud.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
Long Lake is giving up nice-size sunfish, some weighing over 1/2-pound, with most taken near the Hub Supper Club. Sunnies and crappies are active on Big Swan and Moose lakes. Little Birch Lake remains good for walleyes, with minnows and leeches worked in 9-10 feet of water taking the most fish. On Big Birch Lake, the walleyes have moved into 20-30 feet of water. Quite a few bass and northern pike are also being pulled from Big Birch Lake. Bass remain active on most area lakes.
St. Cloud
Sunnies are coming out of 8-12 foot depths on Pearl, Cedar and Beaver lakes, with some of these fish found suspended. Bass and northern pike are biting on Pearl Lake. Walleyes are biting on the Mississippi River, with anglers taking the most fish on leeches and crawlers. Anglers are also pulling quite a few smallmouth bass and large catfish from the Mississippi.
Annandale
On Clearwater Lake, sunnies are active in 5-10 feet of water along the weedlines. Crappies can be found in the same areas using crappies minnows, however only during morning and evening hours. Walleyes are hitting fatheads and leeches on lindy rigs or under a slip bobber worked in depths of 15-25 feet of water. Northern pike are coming from 5-10 feet of water along the weedlines on large sucker minnows under bobbers. Bass are active throughout the lake, and are hitting plastic worms and leeches.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, bass action has been good at Cemetery Reef along the weedlines in 12-15 feet of water, at the deeper edge of the North Reef weedlines in depths of 10-13 feet of water, and on the north east side of the lake in Reinke’s Bay at the top of the reeds. Sunnies remain active in Anderson's and Pillsbury reefs in 8-10 feet of water. A few walleyes are coming in on jigs tipped with a fathead or leech. Muskies are being pulled from the big beach area on the southeast side of the lake, as well as on the southeast side of Coney Island, with a nice 52-inch fish caught and released last week.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, angling has been best early in the morning, before all of the boats hit the water. Sunnies and northerns are coming from the weedlines in roughly 6 feet of water. For the most northern pike, troll sucker minnows. Crappies can be found suspended in depths of 18 feet, roughly 9 feet down at the deep weedlines. Bass remain active throughout the lake.
Chisago City
Crappies are holding in roughly 20 feet of water, with most fish found suspended. The bass bite has been excellent on Chisago, North Center and Green lakes. The best approach has been a rattle trap off the docks, or a crankbait worked through deeper waters. Sunrise Lake is giving up some nice-size sunnies. Kroon Lake is producing some nice crappies. The lower St. Croix River has been good for large catfish, despite low water levels.
Forest Lake
The panfish bite has been fair, however most are running small. Muskies are starting to bite on area lakes. North and South Center lakes have been good for walleyes and panfish. Comfort Lake is giving up sunfish and bass.
Oakdale/East Metro waters
Northern pike and bass remain active on White Bear, Bald Eagle and Big Marine lakes. There have been some good reports of sunfish action on Peltier, Owasso and White Bear lakes. Muskies are being repoted on Bald Eagle, Forest and Owasso lakes. The "silvers" are biting throughout the St. Croix River, and walleyes and sauger are biting from Kenny down to Prescott.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, walleyes and sauger are being taken from Lake Pepin on brightly-colored shad raps pulled through 18-25 feet of water. Panfish are biting in the backwaters. Bass are active on the rocks. Some large northern pike continue to be taken on red eye spoons and large sucker minnows near the mouth of the Rush River.
St. Peter
Walleyes remain active on German Lake at dusk and after dark, with leeches under a slip bobber working best. Sunfish are biting on Lake Washington in Baker’s Bay. For crappies, hit East Jefferson Lake. A lot of northern pike are being taken on the east side of Lake Emily, but most are running small. Catfish are hitting large suckers in the Minnesota River.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
