October 14, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportWalleye action has been good throughout the state, with fish hitting minnows on a rig or jig, as well as trolled crankbaits. As the cool down continues, expect the bite to continually improve for most species, with fish trying to put on weight before the snow flies. The weather should cooperate once again for weekend anglers wanting to venture out for some great fall fishing!
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye are being pulled from 20-35 feet of water, however, patterns are changing as the water temperatures cool. Above and below the Ranier Rapids has been a popular location for walleye anglers. Lost and Cranberry bays have been the hot spots for northern pike. Black Bay remains best for fall crappies. Recent strong winds have brought down most of the leaves, and grouse hunters report seeing more birds. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Anglers report decent walleye action since the winds have subsided. Walleye of all sizes are biting, with smaller fish coming from deeper waters and larger fish found in more shallow waters. The perch and sauger bite has helped to fill out the nice stringer. For the most walleye, use a gold jig and minnow in depths of 18-35 feet. Northern pike are inhaling sucker minnows, with the larger pike found on the weed edges, occasionally with some large walleye. Most walleye have now schooled and are feeding off the reef edges and rock piles.1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Anglers fishing Saganaga Lake, located at the end of the Gunflint Trail, report more than a dozen walleye when using jig heads or live bait last weekend. Even a couple of whitefish were taken on these presentations! The walleye are now schooling in 50-foot depths--keep your bait suspended just above for most action. On Kimball and Mink lakes, the northern pike and smallmouth bass action has been great for those using spoons and nightcrawlers. Twenty foot depths near the vegetation line have been best, with fish enjoying what's left of the warming sunlight and weeds. On Lake Superior, the charter captains are reporting that their customers are catching huge trout. Near Tofte, a 20-pound, 36-inch lake trout was reeled in. That same day, in the same general area in front of the Temperance River, one lucky charter patron reeled in a 23-pound, 40-inch lake trout.
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The fall walleye bite has been great on Lake of the Woods, with anglers taking their limits in just a few hours! Productive areas have been Pine Island and Morris Point Gap in 22-25 feet of water. The best technique has been anchoring and jigging with a chub or shiner minnow. The shiners have started to run in the river which means it won't be long until the river bite will be hot as well! 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
The fall cool down caused some trouble for anglers this week since fish had moved shallower during the recent warm temperatures. Once anglers were able to locate walleye, the fish were usually eager to bite. The full moon this past week shifted some of the walleye action to the evenings and after dark. Walleye anglers who didn't fish at night were really missing something. Walleye were very active, and crushing crankbaits and minnow baits trolled over the chara and rock flats in 8-14 feet of water. Generally, walleye feed towards the surface after dark so they can see bait silhouetted against the moonlight. During these times, anglers should use larger baits to give walleye a better target in the limited light. The night bite is usually good at least 3 days before and 3 days after the full moon. Clear nights with little wind are usually best for catching walleye after dark. As the cool down continues, the bite should improve for most species, with fish trying to put on extra weight before the winter arrives. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comWalker - Leech Lake
1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
As of late last week, water temperatures had dropped below 60-degrees on most lakes. The walleye bite was best during early morning hours and at dusk. Three primary patterns were working for walleye anglers: fishing the shallow flats, especially on windy days, working the sharp breaks in 16-22 feet of water, and hitting 25-35 feet of water in mid-lake areas and at the extended points. Jigs and rigs tipped with minnows seemed to produce the most fish. Bass and northern pike have moved up to the shallow shoreline flats, with good numbers taken during daylight hours. Musky anglers have transitioned to live bait, in particular, large sucker minnows. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
The walleye bite remains good on Otter Tail Lake. Minnows on lindy rigs, and crawlers with bottom bouncers have produced some nice catches in 20-30 feet of water. The crankbait bite remains good after 8:00 p.m. in depths of 5-10 feet. Panfish anglers are doing well along the edge of the weedbeds when using waxworms on small jigs. 1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
The walleye bite has slowed somewhat, with chub minnows on a rig or jig producing the majority of fish. Fishing should improve with the more seasonable cool temperatures and full moon. Northern pike have been hitting larger minnows on lindy rigs or jigs worked in 20 feet of water just outside the weeds. Rattling rapalas, rattle traps and diving crankbaits have also worked well. Bass anglers are taking fish on everything from live bait to plastics. Casting around the docks and trolling outside the weedlines have been productive. And for panfish, use a worm, waxworm or small leech under a bobber in 12-18 feet of water in the weedbeds.
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
Walleye continue to be taken from Gull, North Long, and Pelican lakes on a variety of minnows worked in depths of 18-30 feet. Look to most of the smaller area lakes for panfish. Northern pike anglers are doing well in 12-18 feet of water on Gull and North Long lakes. Bass fishing remains excellent in both the deep and shallow cover on most lakes. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
On the north end of Lake Mille Lacs, walleye fishing has been good. Most anglers are having success using shad raps, river rockers, and stick baits such as husky jerks. Try trolling through 6-10 feet of water to target the most fish. Lead core is another option during the day. Trolling small crankbaits along the breaklines in 26-28 feet of water continues to put fish in the boat. Black, gold and orange have been the most productive colors. 1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
The east end of Lake Mille Lacs is giving up walleye to anglers using crankbaits in 4-12 feet of water during evening hours--look to the shoreline breaks and rock reefs for the most action. A consistent perch bite is being reported by anglers using minnows in depths of 15 feet in the bays. Muskie anglers continue to raise fish from 4-10 feet of water at the weedlines and in the bays. On the west end of the lake, trolled crankbaits at night have produced walleye along the shorelines and at the shallow rocks. Slip bobbers and leeches continue to work well on the mud in 28-30 feet of water at night. For good numbers of perch and a few walleye use a jig and minnow combination on the 24- to 27-foot rocks. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
Fall temperatures have arrived. Anglers fishing Green, Eagle and Nest lakes have reported good numbers of walleye coming from the shallows during early morning and evening hours. Large sunfish and perch have been reported on Lakes Andrew, Solomon, North Long, Willmar and Foot. For northern pike, hit Nest Lake. 1-800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
This is generally the best time of the season to catch bass. Anglers have reported excellent numbers of bass coming from the rocks of Chisago Lake in 8-12 feet of water. Walleye fishing has picked up in the channel between Big and Little Green lakes, with anglers taking fish when using fatheads or shiners. And for northern pike and crappies, try a sucker minnow on Sunrise Lake. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Area Lakes
Walleye have been active on White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes, with anglers having the most success using shiners and fathead minnows. Muskies have also been active, especially in waters less than 8 feet deep. The best approach has been either a blade bait, topwater bait or a large muskie sucker. For northern pike, use a spinnerbait or sucker minnow. The bass, sunfish and crappie bite has been a bit slow, however a few are being caught by anglers using crappie minnows and artificial lures in the shallows. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
The 2011 trout season has come to an end. Overall, the season provided record numbers of brown trout measuring more than 12 inches, most likely due to a very successful 2007 spawn. Trout fishing will not resume until January 1, 2012, when a winter season will open on select streams in southeast Minnesota. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
Just last week, a local guide recommended that anyone in their right mind should grab a camera and head out to the southeastern Minnesota rivers where both fishing and fall colors were incredible! Since then, strong winds have likely brought down many of the leaves, but good color should remain. In regards to fishing, the Zumbro River has been extremely clear below the power dam at Lake Zumbro to Millville, with excellent smallmouth bass action being reported. The muskie and northern pike action was slow, however recent cooler temperatures have likely increased the bite. A trip to the Root River is also recommended for the amazing scenery and superb fall fishing! 1-800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.orgFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville - Big Stone Lake
By mid-October, several hunting seasons have started and private cabin owners begin the process of winterizing their properties. The result is very little boating traffic, despite the continued amazing perch bite on Big Stone Lake! Anglers that have taken the time to get on the water have been rewarded with an abundance of perch. Even dock anglers have been having lots of success with nice-sized fish. Anglers fishing from boat should concentrate on the usual popular perch spots, including the GrapeVine, BayView, Smiley Face, Windmill Reef, and the area near the SoDak Supper Club. Walleye action remains fair. The fish being caught appear to be very fat, a sign that they have plenty to eat and are not very interested in what anglers throw at them. For some good-sized walleye, cast into the windblown points or sit along the shoreline late in the evening. 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
