Explore Minnesota Fishing Report July 12, 2012
Anglers are having greater success using fast presentations and more aggressive tactics due to elevated water temperatures. The algae bloom is quickly "greening-up" some of the shallower lakes, and this lime-green layer can actually help fishing by filtering out some of the sunlight, allowing fish to feed more comfortably during the day. Add flash, speed and vibration to help fish locate your bait.
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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye are being pulled from roughly 24 feet of water at the mid-lake humps and near the rocky shorelines. Popular areas have been around the east end of Sand Bay and above the Ranier Rapids. The submerged reefs east of Grindstone and up to the Brule Narrows are also popular. Smallmouth bass can be found along the rocky shorelines, especially from Dove Bay to Cranberry Bay. If you can hit a school of crappies, hold on! There have been few reports of large northern pike. On the Rainy River, fishing has been best a couple of miles upstream of Kuttes Landing, and downstream past the mouth of the Big Fork River. 800-325-5766
Kabetogama
Water temperatures are generally in the mid-70s on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, climbing to the 80s in the middle of the day, then cooling back down at night. The water level remains somewhat high, resulting in a pretty good current near the inlets and outflows found in many bays. Anglers have had lots of success with lures when trolling the shorelines or casting into the weed edges, with most species responding to crankbaits. Lots of trophy fish were taken during the recent fishing contest. Walleye anglers are finding some fish at the weed edges in roughly 25-28 feet of water when using a slip sinker rig with a leech or crawler. Slow presentations have been best. During midday hours, a jig and minnow combination worked in depths of 35-feet at the reef edges has produced some walleye. Northern pike are hitting crankbaits, jerkbaits and large spinnerbaits at the weed edges near deep water breaks. Perch and sauger action has slowed to nearly non-existent as these fish settle into deeper waters. The mayflies are gone, but there are some reports of pine flies; repellents are a must! 800-524-9085
Crane Lake
800-362-7405
Ely
While the walleye bite has slowed a bit, there are still many eating- and trophy-size fish being taken. Crawlers and leeches are still the preferred bait, but anglers using minnows are still bringing home nice numbers for dinner. Lindy style rigs are a great search tool when tipped with live bait; once fish are located, switch over to jigs tipped with leeches or half a crawler to clean up the stragglers. Smallmouth bass and panfish have been an easy catch. For the most fish, try beetle spins and other soft baits in 5-10 feet of water. Northern pike are very aggressive, attacking spinnerbaits, spoons and live suckers in most area lakes. Some lake trout are being taken on spoons and large crankbaits worked in 50-60 feet of water. Downriggers and dipsy divers work well to get the lures down to such depths. Rainbow trout reports have been good on area trout lakes, with crawlers and salmon eggs under a slip bobber and fished at depths of 20-25 feet producing good numbers. 800-777-7281
Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Walleye fishing has been great just outside of Grand Marais on Devils Track Lake. For the most fish, try trolling a slip bobber or float rig with a leech. Try your hand at some whitefish action as well, with small mayfly-type lures working best. Both species have been most active at night. Rainbow trout fishing has been excellent on Mink Lake, located roughly 12 miles up the Gunflint Trail. For the most fish, use night crawlers. Smallmouth bass are extremely active, hitting crawlers on many inland lakes. Lake Superior is also giving up lots of fish. The lake trout can be found suspended in 50-60 feet of water. Charters are reporting a few salmon as well. Lake trout and coho salmon typically start to bite once surface water temperatures "heat up" to roughly 50-degrees. Shore anglers will want to try casting near the mouths of large rivers, with record-breaking coho pulled from the mouths of the Cascade, Onion and Brule rivers in the past few years--little Cleos and rooster tails should produce the most fish.
Grand Rapids
Area lakes continue to produce walleye, northern pike, bass and panfish. Walleye are scattered in deeper waters, with schools of fish being harder to find. The best approach is to be persistent, pulling bottom bouncers and blades through the deeper waters. Smallmouth bass and northern pike remain easier targets, with both being pulled from thicker shoreline vegetation. Professional anglers have had lots of success using jigs with impulse jigging leeches and nightcrawlers. Lakes such as Pokegama and Winnibigoshish are giving up good numbers of walleye to dedicated anglers. Smaller area lakes are giving up lots of bass and panfish. Sand Lake, located 40 miles north of Grand Rapids, is producing lots of walleye at the main lake structure. Anglers using northland rock runner bottom bouncers on gold or fire tiger rainbow spinners tipped with nightcrawlers are having the most success, especially when moving at .9 mph. Walleye are averaging between 13- and 15-inches. Lots of northern pike, measuring 18- to 22-inches, are also being reported. Perch are running smaller this year, averaging 8- to 9-inches. On Ball Club Lake, perch are biting at the edges of the bars and humps in 24-29 feet of water. The best bait system is a northland fireball jig or northland thumper jig tipped with a fathead minnow; the most productive colors are parakeet and sunrise. For walleye, try rock runner bottom bouncers with a rainbow spinner and nightcrawler in 12-18 feet at the weeds. Round Lake slot walleye are active on the weedlines, with most measuring 18- to 22-inches in length. For keepers, hit Center Bar. Perch action is heating up for anglers using mimic minnows and spinners on firetiger with a piece of nightcrawler or small minnow trolled or casted at Center Bar. Another good bait system is a rainbow spinner, fathead minnow and a bullet weight or split shot. Start planning your next fishing trip with a Professional Grand Rapids Area Fishing Guide. 800-355-9740
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Summer patterns are now the norm on Lake of the Woods, and the fishing has been great. Most fish are being taken by anglers pulling spinners, crawler harnesses, or crankbaits. Hammered gold is best for spinners; crankbaits are most productive in gold-, yellow- or clown-colors. Depths of 32-35 feet off of Long Point, in front of Graceton Beach, and off of the south side of Garden Island have been best for good numbers of fish. Fish can also be found in 6-25 feet of water in front of the Lighthouse Gap. And the reefs of Knight and Bridges are holding fish as well. At the Northwest Angle, Little Oak Island and the north side of Garden Island are giving up fish. A group of two anglers using crawler harnesses recently caught over 100 walleye, along with three northerns measuring 30-40 inches. The reefs on Big and Little Traverse are holding good numbers and large walleye. Muskie action is hot, with glide baits, crankbaits and twitch baits all working better than bucktails. The long shorelines on the larger islands are producing better than the smaller islands, and the rocks have been more productive than the weeds. 800-382-FISH
Bemidji
Surface water temperatures in the Bemidji area have reached the high 70s, with an algae bloom quickly "greening-up" many of the lakes. This lime-green tint can actually help fishing by filtering out some of the sunlight and allowing light sensitive species such as walleye to feed more comfortably during the day. Metabolism rates in fish are elevated during the warmest part of the summer, so the fish are forced to feed more regularly to keep up with their increased calorie needs. Anglers can take advantage of the fishes' need to feed in the warm water by adding flash, speed and vibrations to their presentations to help the fish locate their baits in the tinted water. Many anglers add spinners to their live bait presentations for walleye, but it is important to pay attention to what speed and which colors are leading to the most bites. Anglers can also use jig heads with spinner blades to add flash to swimming jigs; a safety pin spinner blade added to a jig, with scented plastics or live bait, also works well. Muskie anglers should fish more willing to bite in the tinted waters since fish are having to make faster decisions on whether to strike or risk letting their prey "disappear." Perch and walleye are moving on top of the mid-lake structure to feed now that the mayfly hatches are over. Humps with rocks, and chara covered sand are particularly attractive to perch and walleye since they hold crayfish and a mixture of minnow species. 800-458-2223
Cass Lake
Walleye are hitting crawlers and leeches during the day in 12-20 foot depths on Cass and Pike Bay lakes. At dusk, try crankbaits in 6-8 feet of water. Perch are active in 10-14 feet of water on both lakes. Panfish can be found in the cabbage & lily pads, along with aggressive largemouth bass. Muskie action has picked up, with a 50.5 inch fish recently taken on a small bucktail. On nearby Lake Winnibigoshish, water temperatures have risen to roughly 78-degrees and few walleye can be found on the humps. Anglers are having the most success when running spinners tipped with half of a crawler through 10-11 feet of water over weeds. Lots of nice-sized northern pike have been mixed in, along with some perch. Perch are starting to show up on rock humps in 15 feet of water. Crankbaits are best for the northern pike, however expect an occasional walleye as well. 800-356-8615
Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish
218/665-2268
Walker - Leech Lake
Leech Lake's Walker Bay continues to produce walleye, with anglers coming from l9-23 feet of water on lindy rigs tipped with a leech. Fish can also be found in depths of 25-30 feet at the structure near deeper drops. Redtails are also working well in these deeper waters. Sand Point has been productive during evening hours, with anglers having the most success using a slip bobber and leech or trolling a crankbait in 12-15 foot depths. On the Main Lake, use a bottom bouncer and crawler harness trolled at roughly 1 mph. Ottertail Point and the flats around Goose Island have been good locations. Anglers fishing Mokey, Huddles, and The Annex are doing well when using lindy rigs and leeches, trolled crankbaits, or bottom bouncers and crawlers at the deeper edges of the reef. While anglers are taking fewer walleye, they continue to take fish. Bass fishing has been great, especially on the shallow, weedy shelves surrounded by deeper waters--don't be afraid to check depths as deep as 20 feet since there are quite a few fish being caught in these deeper waters. Scumfrogs and topwater baits are producing quite a few fish in the lillypads and over the tops of weeds. Carolina rigs and wacky worm set-ups are working well at the deeper weed edges. Last week's storms seemed to have slowed the muskie bite for a few days, but fish are turning more aggressive, chasing smaller bucktails and topwater baits worked in the 5-8 foot weed cover. A few anglers continue to work the mid-lake rocks, however, the best bet remains the weeds of Kabekona, Agency, Narrows and Portage bays. 800-833-1118
Hackensack
Fishing remains good for panfish numbers. For the most fish, use wax worms and minnows in depths of 20 feet, moving shallow towards dusk. Muskie action has picked up on area lakes, and especially on Leech Lake. For walleye, use crankbaits! Troll them during day, and pull them during evening hours and after dark. Once you locate fish, use an aggressive presentation such as a jigging rapala. Bass and northern pike remain active, especially during low light hours. 800-279-6932
Park Rapids
While fishing has been very good for most species, the walleye have been more difficult to find. Bass, northern pike, muskie, crappie and bluegill anglers are doing well in the deeper waters. For the larger predators, hit 16-35 feet of water. The panfish can be found in depths of 8-20 feet. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have been active at the deeper weedlines, with the largemouth coming from 8-20 feet and the smallies coming from 8-30 feet. Some of the fish are feeding on crayfish on the edge of the rock and weed edges, while others are searching deeper for schools of minnows. Soft plastic baits such 1/4-ounce mimic minnows, have been very productive; use topwater lures during calm water situations. And don't be afraid to cast a topwater into deep water when the bass are breaking on the surface. Crappies and large sunnies have headed toward the deeper weed edges where they are hitting tiny jigs tipped with soft plastic bodies; cast the jig and let it hit the bottom. Muskie activity has been very good on a number of local muskie lakes, with a 52-inch muskie caught and released last week on Mantrap Lake. Anglers are having the most success using a bass-sized bait instead of a traditional large muskie lure. Mantrap lake has also given up lots of large northern pike, and it is not uncommon to take several fish in the low 30s and larger. Walleye anglers are taking some fish by trolling crankbaits 15-25 down in 30-50 feet of water. Leadcore line attached to a salmo hornet has been tough to beat. 800-247-0054
Detroit Lakes
Despite very hot temperatures this week, fish have continued to bite on most area lakes. Anglers are taking advantage of cooler temperatures during lowlight hours since mid-day fishing has been difficult due to the heat; always drink plenty of water when fishing in these conditions. Most walleye are coming from the 19-26 feet of water at the mid-lake structure. Leeches and crawlers dominate the bite, with crankbaits working well at the shallow flats at night. Bass are relating to the shallow water weed beds. Northern pike are taking advantage of the baitfish in the cabbage weeds. Muskie anglers are pulling fish from Detroit and Pelican lakes when casting baits over the shallow water weed beds. Sunfish are devouring small leeches and pieces of nightcrawler. 800-542-3992
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Otter Tail Lake walleye continue to bite. Anglers are having the most success in depths of 10-25 feet when using crawlers and spinners. During evening hours, use a purple or firetiger shad rap in 5-10 feet of water. Bass and sunfish remain very active on all lakes. 800-423-4571
Glenwood
Last week's extreme heat slowed the walleye action, however, some continued to be pulled from Minnewaska on nightcrawlers and leeches. Most area lakes have been good for bass and northern pike. Sunfish have been more difficult to locate on Minnewaska, but once found they are nice in size. 320/634-3636
Whitefish
Pine River
Summer patterns are now the norm in the Pine River Lakes Area! As of late last week, walleye were moving to their deeper water haunts in 20-30 feet of water during the day, then moving shallower during evening hours. Inflated nightcrawlers and leech rigs were working well, and jig & minnow combinations also continued to produce fish. Attach a small spinner to the front of your crawler, leech or minnow rig to draw even more attention, especially this time of year. Northern pike are very active at the base of the weedlines in most area lakes. Crankbaits, spoons, and spinnerbaits are working well for pike and bass. Look for the "cabbage" beds and work the deeper edges for the best results. Crappies and bluegill have moved deeper and can be found at the base of the weedlines in 10-20 feet of water. For the most fish, use a 1/16-ounce jig tipped with an angle worm or leech, and fish this with straight-line without a bobber. 800-728-6926
Brainerd Lakes Area
Walleye are being pulled from the shallow and mid-summer structure on Gull Lake. The shallow fish are relating to the tall cabbage in 8-12 feet of water, hitting jigs tipped with a minnow or some gulp. The mid-summer structure fish can be found in 20-25 feet of water when using live bait rigs with redtails or shiners. Bass can be found throughout Gull Lake at the outside edges of the weedlines, and at the backside of the weed flats. Try pitching a jig and plastic, casting a small crankbait, or using a slip bobber and panfish leech--especially if fishing with kids. Panfish have moved off their shoreline bedding areas and can be found in 9-12 feet of water using a 1/32-ounce jig and panfish leech under a float. Soon they will move to mid-lake structure. North Long Lake is also a great lake for a variety of species. Concentrate on the weedlines in 12-16 feet of water using a live-bait rig with a redtail, creek chub or sucker minnow. Pitching into the weeds with a light bass jig tipped with plastics or gulp will produce fish as well. For walleye, try trolling spinners with crawlers behind a bottom bouncer, and cover lots of water. Bass have been very active, attacking crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigworms. At the northern end of Lake Mille Lacs, fish are coming from the edges of the flats in 25-28 feet of water. Flats such as Myr Mar, Mattons, 7 Mile and 8 Mile have been very good producers; be sure to also check out some of the smaller flats which recieve less fishing pressure. Lindy rigs and leeches continue to produce, but spinners, crawlers and minnows are starting to work as well. The bobber bite is still a great fish producer on the reefs and mud during evening hours. Smallmouth bass are very active on the rocks, hitting tubes jigs and senkos. 800-450-2838
Aitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
800-526-8342
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Walleye fishing on Lake Mille Lacs remains good despite the recent heat wave. Lead core and spinners have been the key to success. When deciding what to pull, check the sonar to see if fish are schooling at one end of a reef or flat. If so, pull blades to keep your presentation in the zone for a longer period of time. If the fish are spread out, pull lead first. While these are good rules to follow there are times when you will need to pull blades all day long or require some lead core even when the fish are schooled. Smallmouth bass have been very active in most areas of the lake, especially at the docks, rocks, weeds and sand. For the most fish, use tube jigs, wacky worms or beetle spins. Don't be surprised if you bring in a largemouth. 888-350-2692
Willmar
The weather is hot and so is the fishing! Walleye continue to be pulled from Eagle, Diamond and Green lakes. Anglers report that the panfish, northern pike and bass are plentiful in area lakes, including Willmar, Foot, Eagle, Florida, Green, North Long and Diamond lakes. 800-845-8747
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls
715/483-3580
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Bass fishing has been excellent on Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes along the weedlines; please note, however, that bass are catch-and-release only. The best action has been in the shallows, under the docks and on top of the water during low light hours. For the most fish, use jigs tipped with worms, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits along the weedlines. Walleye can be found in deeper waters when using leeches and fatheads, especially on South Center Lake. Northern pike are pursuing sucker minnows in front of the old Bluhm Farm on Chisago Lake. Panfish are being pulled from most area lakes on panfish leeches, crappie jigs and flu flu jigs. For the largest crappies, hit Chisago Lake. 651/257-1177
White Bear Area Lakes
While fishing has slowed a bit, anglers continue to take fish. On Bald Eagle Lake, walleye are hitting jigs and lindy rigs tipped with leeches or fathead minnows worked in 12-15 foot depths. The sunfish are very active, hitting leeches and worms in 5-8 feet of water on Bald Eagle and White Bear lakes. Crappie anglers are taking fish on minnows and waxworms worked in depths of 12-20 feet on both lakes. Bass action has been decent for anglers using plastic worms and live bait at the edge of the weeds. And northern pike and muskie are very active. For the most fish, cast a spinnerbait, troll a spoon, or drop a sucker minnow. 651/653-5122
Waconia
952/442-5812
Southern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
877-525-3248
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Monday, July 9, conditions were mostly clear and low for Canfield Creek, Forestville Creek, Duschee Creek, Gribben Creek, Wisel Creek, Crooked Creek, Rush Creek, Pine Creek, Trout Run, the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro, the South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park, and the entire Whitewater River system. All water temperatures that had been checked indicated below lethal trout temperatures, less than 76-78, following the heat of last week. Many streams were still in the low 60s Fahrenheit. The upper South Branch Root River was the only exception, with temperatures in the mid-70s. It would be wise, however, to check water temperatures before you fish since trout have an uncanny ability to find spring tributaries and coldwater upwellings. While there was no information on tricos, the caddis continued to hatch and hoppers could be found along streams in many grassy areas. And as of Monday morning, July 9, the area near the mouth of Camp Creek water 58-degrees. The South Branch Root River, just 20 feet away from the mouth of Camp Creek, measured 71-degrees. For detailed fishing maps showing defined property lines and easements, check out Trout Angling: Southern Minnesota. 800-944-2670
Rochester - Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
800-634-8277
Winona
While fishing has slowed somewhat due to recent high temperatures, some walleye continue to be taken on leeches and willow cat minnows during low light hours; check the wing dams and current breaks on the Mississippi River for the most fish. Sunfish remain fairly active, hitting worms and artificial lures. Crappies are in the structure, such as old tree trunks and limbs where there is current. A minnow on a gold Aberdeen hook s is a good choice. Catfish are active, hitting stinkbaits on a three-way river rig with enough weight to keep it on the bottom. Northern pike have responded best to sucker minnows. Silver bass action has been good around the current breaks near the Lock Dams, as well as on the downside of the wing dams. For the most fish, use fat head minnows, or streamers with Colorado or willow blades. Trout action in southeastern Minnesota streams and rivers has been excellent, with lots of rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout being reported! 800-657-4972
Faribault Area Lakes
800-658-2354
Albert Lea
800-345-8414
Fairmont Area Lakes
800-657-3280
Ortonville -Big Stone Lake
Despite hot temperatures and little wind, the bite on Big Stone Lake remained strong last week. Trolling with a bottom bouncer/spinner/crawler combination was still the best method to cover water and catch the most variety of fish, including walleye and perch (yes, perch on spinners!). Some avid perch anglers are doing well at the traditional perch spots, such as Bayview, Grapevine, Lagoona Beach, and Mallord Pointe. A piece of night crawler or a small leech is all that's needed. Most of the fish, however, are small, 5- to 6-inch perch, with some keeper-sized, 9-plus inch fish mixed in. Walleye are coming from the south end of the lake, as well as some north end locations including Smiley Face, Rocky Ledge, Shady Beach and Hartford Beach. These areas are not as weedy, making trolling much easier. Some anglers have switched from bottom bouncers to crankbaits. Pulling or casting a shad rap along the weedlines has produced some of the larger walleye, measuring 23-inches and greater. While this takes some persistence, a lot of casting into the pockets in the weeds or windblown points will likely lead to a nice walleye. 800-568-5722
