October 20, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportWalleye remain active, however angler numbers have diminished due to recent cool temperatures and high winds. Anglers that have ventured out report walleye beginning their transition to deeper waters. Muskie have also been very active--now is the time to head out for a trophy fish!
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Cooler temperatures and strong winds have limited the number of anglers heading out onto Lake of the Woods. The Rainy River, however, has had some traffic since it offers some shelter from the wind. Anglers report taking quite of few walleye on shiner minnows worked in the more sheltered areas. Areas downstream from Pelland Junction have been best. Some anglers do continue to venture out onto the lake, finding some walleye and smallmouth bass along the southern shores. And grouse hunters have been doing well now that most of the leaves are off the trees and visibility has increased. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
The walleye bite has been good on Lake Vermilion, with rigs and minnows working best. Water temperatures are hovering in the 56- to 59-degree range, and the fish are in transition mode. As temperatures drop further, the walleye will begin their move to the deeper holes, and the jig bite will take over. A few fish have recently been taken by anglers trolling #5 shad raps. Most of the walleye can be found in areas that transition from mud to sand or from sand to rock--use your electronics to locate these areas. And northern pike action has been good for anglers using spinnerbaits and bucktails, especially at edges of the remaining green weeds and cabbage beds. 1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Although the nights are getting cooler, last weekend's blustery winds have subsided and anglers are once again heading out in search of rainbow trout. Kimball, Leo, Trout, and Mink lakes, located roughly midway up the Gunflint Trail, are giving up nice numbers of rainbow trout to anglers using nightcrawlers and small spoons in the 12-18 foot depths. One angler recently reeled in a 4-pound fish from Trout Lake. Walleye anglers are having success using a jig tipped with a minnow or crawler in 25 feet of water on Hungry Jack Lake. East Twin Lake is producing fish in 20 foot depths. Northern pike remain hungry on Caribou Lake near Lutsen, with one lucky angler reeling in a 5-pound pike on a red and white spoon. For the most fish, hit the weedlines during midday hours.
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake of the Woods, the best fishing is inside and outside of the Lighthouse Gap, and at Morris Point and Zippel Bay. The majority of walleye have been in 16-20 feet of water, and in depths of 22-26 feet, with a jig and shiner working best. There has been a dramatic drop in water temperature this week, down 12-degrees from last week and hovering at 48-degrees. The walleye should finally begin their move up river, however mid-forties is usually ideal. Once in the river, walleye action should be excellent. The wind has churned up the waters, but it should turn clear at some point this weekend. From the time the walleye start moving up river until freeze-up is historically one of the best times of the year--a jig and minnow is all you need. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Walleye have been very active, 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. 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
Cool fall temperatures and windy conditions have been the norm lately, yet anglers that braved the wind and waves have been rewarded with great fishing. Walleye have been active on most of the area lakes, eagerly pursuing large minnows. While crawlers are starting to produce as well, large redtails, rainbows, and medium suckers have been the key to success over the last few weeks. Shallower waters have been best when conditions are windy and cloudy, but some fish have been found in roughly 20 feet of water. Grouse hunting has picked up significantly this week with the loss of leaf cover. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Walleye remain active, but the angler numbers have dwindled due to recent high winds. Anglers that have ventured out have had the most success using a jig and minnow combination. Most fish have started to transition to deeper water. Look for fish at the sharp breaks leading to deep water. Musky action remains strong on Sallie, Big Detroit, Pelican, Beers and Battle lakes. Most fish are chasing 8- to 14-inch sucker minnows on quick strike rigs or similar presentations. Bobber fishing has resulted in many upper 40- to lower 50-inch fish being caught and released. Panfish activity has slowed somewhat due to windy conditions. Action should pick up now that more favorable weather is in the forecast. Now is the time to head out for a trophy fish! 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
The walleye bite has been 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. There has been a good crankbait bite after 8:00 p.m. in depths of 5-10 feet. Panfish anglers have been 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
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
As of late last week, anglers were having success using a jig or lindy rig tipped with a shiner minnow, creek chub, or rainbow, especially in 14-40 feet of water on Gull, North Long, and Pelican lakes. Northern pike were also hitting minnows when worked in depths of 15-20 feet on North Long, Pelican, and Edwards lakes. Bass are being pulled from 10-20 feet of water of most lakes on minnows and spinnerbaits. And crappies can be found suspended over 25-35 feet. Towards the city of Crosby, walleye are coming from the Mississippi River on jigs and chubs. Pelican and Rabbit lakes are also giving up crappies, with 20-28 foot depths being best. Large northern pike continue to be pulled from the pits on bucktails thrown around the flooded timber. Trout are coming from the pits on cowbells worked about 30 feet down. Little Rabbit Lake and areas downstream on the river are giving up panfish around the brush piles and weeds. Bay Lake has a good largemouth bass bite at the 15-foot weed edges, with crankbaits working best. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
The walleye continue to bite, with fish coming from all areas of the Lake Mille Lacs! On the north end, hit the shoreline at Knox Point and along the shoreline to the west using shad raps and stickbaits. On windy days, fish can be found shallow, in 6-8 feet of water and on top of the rock structure. Clackin' rapalas in light and white color patterns have produced the most fish during nighttime hours. During the day, lindy river rockers in gold and black have worked well. Jumbo perch remain deep. The past few days have been really windy and cool, and water temperatures have dipped into the lower 50s. Looking ahead, the weekend should once again offer nice conditions for a trip out onto the water! 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, check out Nest Lake. 1-800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Walleye are starting to bite, with fishing coming from the channel between Big and Little Green lakes, from the north end of North Center Lake off Nelson?s Island, and from the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes. Walleye anglers report the most success using rapalas. Crappie action has been good on South Lindstrom Lake in front of the trailer park. For the most fish, use a crappie minnow. Also of interest, a 450-pound bear was recently shot just 3 miles from Lindstrom! 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Area Lakes
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
The Zumbro River has recently given up good numbers of smallmouth bass. The muskie and northern pike bite is expected to pick up shortly. A trip to the Root River is highly 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
Big Stone Lake continues to produce impressive numbers of perch! Local anglers and guides report that the last three months have been truly amazing! Despite unstable weather last weekend, anglers still caught lots of nice-sized fish measuring 9- to 11-inches, with some pushing 14-inches! There are reports that the perch are starting to move into more shallow waters, and it seems that the traditional perch fishing hot spots continue to kick out fish. Dock anglers can attest to this, taking good numbers sitting on their docks during late afternoon and evening hours. A few walleye have been mixed-in with the perch. Some walleye anglers have begun casting shad raps to the points when the winds shift from south to north--while the quantity hasn't been superb, the quality definitely has. Now is the time of year for netting some fish and bagging some birds, all in a day! 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
