The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Blackduck, where Blackduck Lake is giving up limits of walleyes on lindy rigs and minnows worked on top of the bars.
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Fish Lake is producing walleyes at the mid-lake structure and flats on leeches and slip bobber setups. Lindy rigs are also working well when trolled slowly. Island Lake is giving up fish in 17-22 feet of water on minnows. On Boulder Lake, anglers are taking fish from 5-8 foot depths on spinners and crawlers worked over the humps. Northern pike are also active on Fish Lake. Smallmouth bass action on the St. Louis River has been excellent, with fish over 20-inches being reported. Walleyes are coming from the lower basin on rapalas, stickbaits and spoons. On Lake Superior, the water has turned over and the surface water temperature is now 42- to 45-degrees. Anglers are catching a few walleyes just out of the entry way. Lake trout can be found in 80-120 feet of water, roughly 60 feet down, when using dark spoons. Orange, chartreuse, purples and pinks are also working well. Salmon have moved up the shore past Two Harbors.
Ely
Currently, the larger lakes are outperforming most of the smaller ones, with some anglers reporting 20 to 30 walleyes a day. Fall, Burntside and the White Iron Chain are giving up good numbers of walleyes, smallmouth bass and large northern pike. Leeches have been best, however rainbow minnows and chubs drifted or vertically jigged are also working well. For the most fish, hit the 16-20 foot drop-offs during the day. At dusk, look for walleyes in the shallows chasing schools of minnows, with some fish coming from 2-8 feet of water late in the evening and early in the morning. Crappies can be found suspended 12-15 feet down, in depths of 30 feet. Crappie minnows, or a jig and small tube under a slip bobber, are producing bragging-size slabs measuring up to 16-inches! The northern pike are becoming more aggressive, with anglers actually losing walleyes when reeling in, as well as from their stringers! For lots of action, use a large sucker under a float.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, the walleyes are expected to move deeper as the water temperatures rise. The reef structure near the deep water generally offers the most consistent walleyes and sauger bite. During evening hours, look for the walleyes at windward bays and shelves. A slip-sinker rig with a leech or crawler seems to be working best. Many anglers continue to do well with the saugers and harvest-size walleyes using a minnow in depths of 35 feet and more. Smallmouth bass have been active at the weed edges, and at the tops of the rock ledges and rock piles where crayfish can be found. The best approach is a topwater bait or crayfish lure near the shoreline, or a Mepps spinner next to the rocks. Northern pike are most active in the deeper waters adjacent to weedy bays and shorelines. For the most fish, run lures through 18-25 feet of water outside weedy bays and shorelines; at night, switch to X-Raps or jerk baits at the weed edges and tops.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes have moved to the deeper waters, and can be found on the submerged reefs and structure in 30-36 feet of water. Recommended locations on the east end of the lake include Blueberry and Big islands, Saginaw Bay, and the reefs near Kettle Falls. On the west end of the lake, check out Community Reef, Olson’s Reef and the Fox Islands. Some walleyes are also coming from the weedy edges near the mouths of Cranberry and Lost bays. Smallmouth bass are biting both above and below the International Falls dam. Walleye fishing in the Rainy River has been best in depths of 12-14 feet, especially in areas with current, such as near the dam, the Manitou and Long Sault Rapids, and at the confluence of the Big Fork and Littlefork rivers. The sturgeon season remains open, with fish hitting large sucker minnows worked in roughly 15 feet of water. Please note that there are special regulations and tags to fish for sturgeon.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, July and August are generally trophy walleye months. Anglers are doing well when jigging in 28-32 feet of water. Many are also having success by down-rigging. Just some of the hot spots include the west side of Big Island, the west side of Garden Island, and all around Stony Point. The south shore and The Gap are also producing lots of walleyes. On the Rainy River, good numbers of walleyes, saugers and sturgeon are being reported, with fish being pulled from 18-20 feet of water around Clementson Rapids and Silver Creek. Many anglers are also enjoying the excitement of sturgeon fishing. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, limits of walleyes are coming in from the reefs surrounding Oak Island. Muskies are also very active, with fish measuring over 50-inches being reported.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, limits of walleyes are coming in on lindy rigs and minnows worked on top of the bars. Some nice crappies are being pulled from Gilstad Lake. For sunnies, hit Pimusche Lake. A four-fish limit is now allowed on Upper Red Lake, and more walleye anglers are hitting the waters. The fish are somewhat scattered due to recent storms, but expect walleyes to soon settle into depths of 10-12 feet.
Bemidji
On Lake Bemidji, muskie action is heating, with fish also being pulled from Lake Plantagenet. Good perch action is being reported on Plantagenet as well. Walleye anglers are taking fish by pulling crawlers, with fish being taken on crankbaits after dark. Bass action is nearing its peak. Anglers using suckers under a bobber are pulling in some nice northern pike.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleyes are active in deeper waters on the humps and bars. The key to the deep water bite has been to locate an area that isn't saturated with baitfish. Anglers report that many of the walleyes they've netted have spit up lots of these small minnows. For the most fish, use a depthfinder to locate fish and then sit patiently with a crawler. Several nice keeper-size walleye were recently pulled from the North Shore shallows on a jig and minnow combination. Slip bobbers and leeches produced well last weekend during the MTT Walleye Tournament, especially at Raven's Point. One area guide and his partner won the Tamarac Walleye Classic last weekend, and caught all of their fish in 20-23 feet of water on the very small humps along the north end. Nice-size northern pike are coming from the west side of the lake near Sugar Lake, Mallard, and Third River Bay. Spoons, husky jerks, and sucker minnows under a bobber are all producing fish.
Walker
On Leech Lake, anglers are taking lots of panfish on small jigs tipped with a worm or leech. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows under a bobber, as well as large spoons. Bass are hitting plastics in Headquarters Bay. Muskie action is heating up, especially at the Pelican and Sub Island areas. Anglers are having the most success early and late in the day, when fewer people are out water tubing and water skiing. Surface water temperatures are currently at roughly 80 degrees.
Hackensack
Crappies have been active on Five Point, Webb and Birch lakes during evening hours. Most fish are being pulled from 14-16 feet of water. Look for areas that have cabbage weeds growing at least 3 feet off of the bottom, and work a crappie minnow on a pink jig roughly 3 1/2 feet above these weeds. Walleye anglers are taking fish by floating a minnow or leech closer to the same weeds. The last few hours of daylight have been best. Bass continue to move into deeper water during the day, and are hitting large jigs tipped with plastics at the deep breaks and weedlines. Early in the morning and late in the evening bass anglers should hit the shallows using a topwater lure or a spinnerbait. Birch and Pleasant lakes have been best early in the morning.
Park Rapids
The walleye bite has been best on Long Lake at the deep weed edges. The Crow Wing Chain is giving up lots of northern pike in 14-16 feet of water on spoons and crankbaits. For bass, hit Fishhook and Big Mantrap lakes, however most lakes are producing fish. The best approach has been a jigworm or spinnerbait. For panfish action, look to Long Lake, with some nice bluegills coming out of depths of 14-16 feet. Area trout lakes have been good for lots of fish.
Pelican Rapids
A good walleye bite is being reported on Lake Lida, with leeches producing the most fish. Bluegills have also been active, especially at the deep cabbage weeds. For the most fish, use small leeches or waxworms. The smallmouth bass bite has been good on Lizzie and Lida lakes. Northern pike are active at the tops of the weeds on most area lakes.
Battle Lake
A few walleyes continue to be pulled from Battle and Ottertail lakes, mostly at night. Lindy rigs with leeches seem to be working best. Northern pike are coming from Clitheral and Ottertail lakes--for the most fish, try trolling the weeds using a daredevil or sucker minnow in 15-20 feet of water. Sunfish are hitting panfish leeches worked in depths of 20-23 feet of water on Battle, Sucker and Clitheral lakes. Bass remain active on West Battle and Fiske Lakes, with floating frogs and sucker minnows producing fish in the weeds. The largest bass can be found in the deeper waters. And muskies have become more active on Battle Lake.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, anglers are taking a few walleyes from 12-14 feet of water at the bars. Sunnies are active throughout the area, especially in depths of 12-16 feet. And a few nice-size northern pike have been picked up while trolling.
Nisswa
Largemouth bass action has been excellent on Gull, Hubert, Whitefish and North Long lakes. The best approach has been to pitch a jig tipped with a plastic or minnow at the weedlines. Northern pike are active on Gull, Whitefish and Edwards lakes, with lindy rigs and spinner rigs producing lots of fish along the deep weedlines. Some pike are coming from waters as deep as 32 feet on bobber rigs and large sucker minnows. A few walleyes continue to be taken along with other species of fish. Most of these fish have been found hanging along the weedlines. Redtail chubs and leeches generally turn the most fish, especially during evening hours. Large sunfish are hitting leeches and worms worked at the weed edges in 12-16 feet of water on North Long, Gull, Hubert, Cullen and Whitefish lakes. Crappies are starting to bite during evening hours in 12 feet of water--for the most fish, use a northland thumper jig.
Crosslake
Walleye action remains good on Pelican and Cross lakes during early morning and late evening hours. Leeches and nightcrawlers on a lindy rig, with or without a spinner, has been best in 22-30 feet of water. Some anglers are doing well with both the walleyes and lake trout when trolling crankbaits over the deeper waters. Northern pike remain active, and are hitting spinner baits and spoons, as well as crankbaits trolled along the weedlines. Bass are hitting plastic worms and surface baits in depths 4-8 feet of water at the weedlines. Crappies and panfish are hitting small jigs tipped with worms, waxworms and minnows worked along the weedline. The largest panfish can be found in the deeper waters.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, the night time walleye bite remains good, especially from roughly 9pm until 1:30am. A few walleye continue to be caught during the day.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
Walleyes are hitting crankbaits and rattling rapalas on Mary's Lake, with a nice new dock now available at the public access. A few walleyes are being pulled from Big Swan Lake on crawlers. A few fish are coming out of Big and Little Birch lakes on leeches worked in 20-30 feet of water. Sunfish are very active on Moose Lake, with some crappies also being taken. Nice 1/2-pound sunnies are coming from the north end of Long Lake near Bertram's Supper Club. Northern pike are active on Swan Lake. Bass action has been good on most area lakes, and especially on Mound Lake. Muskie action has slowed on Buckhorn Lake.
St. Cloud
Fish continue to bite on the Mississippi River. The low water levels are causing fish to move into the deeper holes. Once you locate such a hole, expect to find smallmouth bass, walleyes and catfish. Sunfish are biting on Sugar and Cedar lakes. Bass and northern pike are active on Pearl Lake.
Annandale
On Clearwater Lake, fishing has slowed somewhat now that fish are in their summer mode. Sunfish continue to bite in roughly 10 feet of water along the weedlines. A few walleyes are coming from depths of 15-25 feet of water on leeches and crawlers. Northern pike remain active in 10-15 feet of water along the weedlines, with fish hitting sucker minnows under a bobber. Bass action is good up in the weeds. Some anglers are taking crappies on jig and minnow combinations when tossed into a school of sunnies.
Anoka
The Mississippi River continues to drop, making wading an excellent way to fish. Anglers report that the walleyes are becoming more active, and that the smallmouth bass continue to hit tubes. Most area lakes remain good for largemouth bass. Some nice crappies are coming from Green and Spectacle lakes.
Forest Lake
Sunnies remain fairly shallow on area lakes. Crappies are hanging at the weed edges in 15-16 feet of water. Muskies remain very active. Northern pike action has been good on Sunrise Lake. Bass are active throughout the area, and especially on Green Lake. For walleyes, check out the deeper waters on North Center Lake, and depths of 20-25 feet on Clear Lake.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, northern pike action has slowed. Sunnies are active in 5-10 feet of water, with some also found out on the reefs. Bass are in the shallows around the docks, as well as in the deeper waters on the reefs. Few muskies are being reported. Walleye anglers are taking a few fish from 15-18 feet of water, along the reef weedlines, right at dusk and throughout the night.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the water has become fairly warm. Anglers are having the most success using spinners with live bait in the weeds since fish are gravitating to the weed edges which hold more oxygen. Most species of fish, aside from northern pike and muskies, have been most active very early and very late in the day. Anglers willing to dodge lots of boats are doing well with the muskies during daytime hours.
Chisago City
The panfish bite has been good on Chisago Lake at the 6-10 foot weed edges. The best crappie lake has been Kroon Lake, with Sunrise Lake running a close second. The bass continue to hit anything thrown their way. A few walleyes are being pulled from 20 feet of water during evening hours.
Oakdale/East Metro Area Waters
Bass and northern pike remain very active, especially on Big Carnelian and Big Marine lakes. The crappies are biting on Bald Eagle and Centerville lakes during evening hours. Sunnies are active throughout the area. Anglers continue to take muskies, with a few 40-inch fish recently reported.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, northern pike continue to bite at the Rush and Pine river mouths, with fish found in the shallow cooler spring waters at their confluence with the Mississippi. Large red eyes and sucker minnows seem to be working best. Sauger and walleyes are biting in the deep 18-22 foot holes in Lake Pepin. Anglers are doing well pulling plugs through the holes, with some nice fish, weighing over 10-pounds, being taken. The crappie bite has been good in the backwaters. Smallmouth bass are on the rock piles in depths of 10-18 feet.
Waterville
Lake Tetonka is producing some nice walleyes and northern pike. Areas to check out include the southern bay near the DNR ponds and along Best Point Resort. Spoonplugs were best for most of the northern pike. The beach area on Lake Tetonka has been good for crappies. German Lake is giving up some nice sunnies and bullheads. Sakatah Lake has been somewhat slow due to low water levels. The Whitewater Creek is offering some action at night, with northern pike, bass, and catfish being taken. Reeds Lake is also giving up some large bass.
St. Peter
Catfish are active on the Minnesota River, and hitting cut bait and large suckers. Recent catches include 36- and 40-pound fish! The sunnies are biting on German Lake, with most running 1/3 of a pound. On East Jefferson Lake, northern pike are hitting spoons and plugs. A few walleyes are being pulled from the 2nd Point on Washington Lake, with stickbaits working best early in the morning and late at night.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
