The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Battle Lake, where anglers report a good walleye bite on Battle, Stalker and other area lakes.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html======================
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Walleyes continue to be pulled from Island Lake on inflated crawlers worked in 18-22 feet of water. Fish Lake crappie action has been good in roughly 12 feet of water, and bass are coming from just outside the weedlines. On Lake Superior, lake trout can be found suspended in 60-140 feet of water just out from the pumping station. The best approach has been a green, glow green, chartreuse or glow pink spoon. Anglers pursuing fish holding close to the bottom are doing well using flashers and flies. At Silver Bay, the salmon fishing has been good, and continues to improve as you travel further north. A few muskies are being picked up in the St. Louis River, with quite a few large walleyes coming from the south shore.
Ely
Water temperatures are on the decline, and walleye action is improving! Fish will continually move deeper, and eventually locate in the deepest holes in area lakes. At present, Lakes Shagawa, White Iron and Burntside are producing the most fish, especially at the 12-20 foot breaks, where hard rocky bottoms give way to mud and sand. This transition can be difficult to find so use sonar and charts to locate these areas. Leeches have been the bait of choice, but anglers have been switching back to jigs and spinners with a half crawler or a minnow. Slowly trolled crankbaits are also producing a few nice fish. Smallmouth bass are coming out of 8-15 foot depths on large-lipped crankbaits, and jig and tube combinations. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows under a bobber, as well as large, shallow-running crankbaits and spoons worked in the shallows.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, walleye anglers are having success using jig heads and rigs with minnows in 30-plus feet of water. Also try trolling a crankbait through depths of 22-30 feet, keeping the lure close the bottom. Anglers are taking both northern pike and walleyes using this method. The shallows are still giving up fish, especially during morning and evening hours. Look to mid-Kabetogama to locate schools of fish. The east end of Lake Namakan offers a lot of reefs and shoreline structure that draw walleyes. Smallmouth bass anglers are doing well in most depths.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes seem to be scattered at various depths. Fish are being taken on crawlers on a slowly trolled spinner rig worked through 25-30 feet of water. Areas such as Community Reef and the shoals near Saginaw Bay are good places to start. Crappies can be found in Black Bay and around Sand Bay using a light jig tipped with a small minnow. Northern pike continue to attack fast-moving lures along the edges of weed beds. On the Rainy River, walleyes are active in areas with current, such as below the dam, or above and below the Manitou and Long Sault rapids. Smallmouth bass anglers did very well during last weekend's International Falls Bass Championship. Sturgeon fishing remains open on the river, with lots of fish reportedly congregating just below the International Falls dam. When fishing for sturgeon, please be sure to review and follow all fishing regulations.
===========================
NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, recent cooler temperatures have drawn walleyes closer to shore, with more fish moving into the Lighthouse Gap and Morris Point Gap. Many anglers continue to do well by down-rigging in 32-34 feet of water, as well as by jigging around the mud flats. Check out the area north of Long Point and north of Graceton Beach for some nice walleyes. On the Rainy River, lots of nice keeper-size fish are coming from Clementson Rapids. Vita's Landing is also a hot spot for walleye action. The Northwest Angle and Islands area has been excellent for muskie action. Most anglers continue to cast, however trolling will soon be the best approach. The walleye bite remains good, with several 19- to 28-inch walleyes being taken. Oak Island, Flag Island, and Crowduck have all been great locations for walleyes.
Blackduck
Walleyes are being pulled from Round and Island lakes, with most anglers now using a jig and minnow approach.
Bemidji
Most muskies have moved into the shallows. Anglers are doing well using rad dogs and shriver's in the reeds on Lakes Plantagenet and Bemidji. Walleyes are hitting jigs tipped with a redtail minnow in 10-12 feet of water--crawler rigs are also producing fish. As the water temperature continues to drop, expect the walleyes to become more active. Good bluegill reports are coming from many area lakes, with crappies being pulled from slightly deeper waters.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, cooler temperatures have lead to an increase in walleye action. The best approach is a one-eighth ounce northland fireball jig tipped with a rainbow chub worked in the 4-6 feet of water. Expect to take a few northern pike and larger perch as well. Areas to check out include the isolated weedbeds along the east, north, and west shores. Stony, Little Stony, Raven's Point and Mallard are all giving up walleyes and nice-size pike. Also try a nightcrawler and rig in these areas. Nice-size bluegills are coming from McAvity Bay. A few large crappies are being pulled from Little Cutfoot Sioux in front of the old fish hatchery.
Walker
On Leech Lake, a 52-inch muskie was caught and released at Uran Bay on August 27. The fish was caught using a black bucktail. Anglers are reporting good walleye action at the rock piles. Also try a nightcrawler on the main lake in 12-16 feet of water for walleyes and perch. Perch, sunfish and crappies are active, especially at Steamboat and Headquarters bays. Bass fishing has picked up at the wild rice beds.
Hackensack
Northern pike anglers are providing the majority of reports, with lots of fish coming from Woman and Stony lakes. For the most fish, try casting a spinnerbait. Bass are being taken on plastic worms worked slowly at the deep weed edges.
Park Rapids
Walleyes are being pulled from Big Sand Lake on crawlers worked in roughly 32 feet of water. Northern pike are coming from 14-16 feet of water on Big Man Trap Lake. Bluegills remain active on the Crow Wing Chain of lakes in depths of 12 feet, with waxworms working best. A few muskies were recently pulled from Big Man Trap--lots of follows have also been reported.
Battle Lake
Walleyes are hitting crankbaits, and jig and minnow combinations up on the flats on area lakes at night. On Battle Lake, early morning and afternoon hours have been best, with crawlers and shiners producing fish in 15-20 feet of water. On Stalker Lake, walleyes are hitting minnows in depths of 20-25 feet. For northern pike, try trolling the weedlines on Ottertail, Clitheral and West Battle lakes. Bass are active on Clitheral, West Battle, Fiske and Stalker lakes, and hitting topwater baits or small sucker minnows on jigs. East Battle, Star, Stalker and Clitheral lakes are producing sunfish in depths ranging from 8-20 feet, with the largest fish coming from 15-20 foot depths on panfish leeches. Crappie anglers are doing well using crappie minnows in 15-20 feet of water on West Battle Lake.
Crosslake
Walleye action remains good on Crosslake and the Whitefish Chain, with fish being pulled from 18-24 feet of water on lindy rigs and leeches during early morning and evening hours. Northern pike are hitting spinner rigs and large pike minnows, as well as spinnerbaits worked along the weedlines. Also try a crankbait trolled through 20-25 feet of water for a few fish. Bass are hitting surface baits and plastic worms, especially around the docks, rafts and outer weedlines. Crappie and panfish action has been good throughout the area in 18-20 feet of water, with small jigs and waxworms working best.
Crosby
Walleyes are being pulled from Pelican Lake during evening hours, and from the Mississippi River during the day. A few are also coming from the Rabbit Lake shallows from mid- to late afternoon. Bass anglers are doing well throughout the area. Northern pike can be found in the weeds using spinnerbaits tipped with a small sucker minnow. While trout action has slowed, smallmouth bass and northern pike are coming from area mine pits. Crappies are active in the live weeds during the day, and in 14-18 feet of water during evening hours. For the most fish, use a puddle jumper or tube jig. Panfish are being pulled from Little Rabbit and East Rabbit lakes. Anglers are taking large bluegills, walleyes and smallmouth bass from the Mississippi River. Smallmouth bass action is heating up on the Mississippi River and on Clearwater Lake, with surface lures working best. Muskie anglers are reporting several multi-fish days on Cedar Lake. Try tossing a black bucktail for the most fish.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, jumbo perch are biting along the shoreline at Browns Bay, as well as on the rocks on the southwest corner of the lake. Anglers are taking some nice-size walleyes by pulling rapalas through 10-14 foot depths at night. During the day, work depths of 22-27 feet at the rocks. A few muskie anglers are reporting success at the north sand. For smallmouth bass, hit the rocky areas using a crawler, with casting also producing fish.
Grey Eagle
A few muskies are being pulled from Buckhorn Lake. Sunnies are biting on Big and Little Birch lakes. A few walleyes are coming out of Big Birch Lake. For walleyes and smallmouth bass, hit the Mississippi River. Crappies are being pulled from Pine and Kings lakes. Anglers report that Big Swan Lake has turned green.
St. Cloud
Sunnies are being pulled from 9-18 feet of water waxworms and panfish leeches worked on Horseshoe and Sucker lakes. Largemouth bass are active on Grand Lake. Action on the Mississippi River has slowed somewhat, however fish can be found in the pools from Clearwater up to the 10th Street Dam. Anglers are taking crappies above the 10th Street Dam and at the Sartell Dam.
====================
TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Annandale
Bass anglers did very well during last weekend's bass tournament on Clearwater Lake. The best approach was Texas-rigging off the deep drops. Some nice northern pike are being pulled from 10-15 feet of water on sucker minnows fished under a bobber. For sunnies, hit the weedlines using worms in roughly 10 feet of water. The walleye bite remains deep.
Anoka
Smallmouth bass anglers are enjoying lots of early fall action on the Rum River. Nice, 18- and 19-inch fish were recently taken on poppers and white culprits with no weight. Area lakes are giving up lots of sunfish on small crawlers. For northern pike and largemouth bass, use white spinnerbaits. Catfish action has been good on the Mississippi River.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, bass are hitting stickbaits around the docks. Sunnies are biting on the north side of the island, and near the beach on the south end. A few muskies are being pulled from the weedlines.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, a few deepwater walleyes are coming in on crankbaits. Bass and sunnies remain on the weedlines. Although the water temperature has dropped roughly 6 degrees, fish remain in a summer pattern--look for the largest fish in the deeper waters, and the most active fish along the weedlines.
Forest Lake
Walleye anglers are doing well on Forest and Clear lakes. Bass are being pulled from the deep weed edges and the shallows. Muskie anglers report fish biting in the shallows.
Chisago City
Panfish are active in 12-20 feet of water on Chisago, and North and South Center lakes. On North Center Lake, hit Nelson Island. On Chisago Lake, fish the area between the A-frame and the big island.
Oakdale/East Metro area waters
Walleyes are biting on the St. Croix River near Afton. Try White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes for muskie action. Crappie anglers are doing well on the St. Croix River. Catfish have been biting on Silver and Beaver lakes.
=================
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On Mississippi River, northern pike continue to bite at the mouths of Rush and Pine creeks at Lake Pepin. The best approach has been a large sucker or red eye. Walleyes are coming from 14-20 feet of water by pulling shad raps with lead line. Crappies and sunnies are biting at Bay Point Park, with crappie minnows and panfish jigs working best.
St. Peter
Nice-size sunnies are coming out of Lake Tetonka. Anglers are also taking some nice fish from Bakers Bay on Lake Washington. A few crappies can be found in the narrows on Madison Lake. Please note the Minnesota River remains high.
Waterville
Recent rainfall has caused area lakes to rise roughly one foot, resulting in near normal levels. Nice-size panfish are being taken throughout Lake Tetonka. Five large muskies were recently reported, including 53- and 54-inch fish! Bass are hitting plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Madison Lake is giving up some large crappies and a few walleyes. Gorman Lake is also producing some nice fish. Area lakes are mostly green, but should clear up in the near future.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
