Explore Minnesota Fishing Report August 8, 2012
Fishing has improved now that the temperatures are more seasonable. Low light periods remain best for walleye, with other species providing lots of action during midday hours. Please note that many lakes have developed a layer of algae which limits visibility; anglers using presentations that add color, flash and vibration are having greater success in these conditions.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye fishing remains better than average, with anglers finding walleye on the submerged reefs north and east of Grindstone and east of Brule Narrows. The preferred baits are leeches and crawlers. Smallmouth bass are more active along the rocky shorelines on the south side of the lake. Crappies are coming from Black Bay, as are some sizeable northern pike. Walleye fishing has been good near Ranier and in Sand Bay. Rainy river fishing has been best in the stretch above the dam at International Falls and below the Ranier Rapids. Anglers are also finding walleye and smallmouth bass in the stretch below the dam to roughly the Falls Country Club. 800-325-5766
Kabetogama
Water temperatures in Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan are roughly 75-degrees in the morning, rising to 80 most days. Anglers are having the most success during early morning and late afternoon hours. While mid-day fishing remains slow for walleye, it has been great for smallmouth bass, perch and northern pike. The perch are typically in the 11- to 14-inch range. Leeches and crawlers remain the best bet on Kabetogama. Anglers fishing the deeper waters prefer minnows and jig heads on Namakan. Spinners help to attract the fish when pulling live bait, triggering more bites. Trolling crankbaits any time of day will get most species' attention, especially in 15-18 foot depths at the shorelines and in depths of 20-30 feet when using bottom bouncers. It is important to note the structure that holds fish so you can come back at them with live bait. Hot spots on Kabetogama include Martin Islands, Cuculus, Chase and Green Island. Lake Namakan offers structure from one end to the other, with most areas producing fish, including sturgeon and an occasional trout. 800-524-9085
Crane Lake
800-362-7405
Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
800-648-5897
Ely
Smallmouth bass have been very cooperative throughout the day on most area lakes. Early and late in the day use top water lures; during midday hours, use jigs with tubes such as gitzits or gulp minnows. These fish are eager to bite, and a lot of fun to catch! Walleye continue to roam the reef tops in 7-15 foot depths, hitting both leeches and crawlers. Some anglers are having success working crankbaits above the drop-offs in similar depths, with some large walleye weighing up to 9-pounds being taken. Shad raps and husky jerks are perfect for this approach; use shad or perch-patterns for the best results. Some nice northern pike are being landed using either a large sucker under a bobber or a large, shallow-running crankbait. Spinnerbaits and tandem spinners may also work well since they can cover a large area, putting your lure in front of more fish in less time. Sunnies and crappies are coming from the weed edges and underwater humps. Concentrate on the sunfish during the day, using small jigs with worms or tails such as gitzits and slurpies. Once the sun drops behind the tree line, switch gears for some great crappie action until well after dark. At night, try your hand at some decent walleye action in the shallows. Please remember to have your running lights in good working order, and bring along plenty of bug spray so you can take advantage of a great nighttime bite! 800-777-7281
Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Fish have been very active, and local lakes have yielded many prize winners. A 5-pounder was the winning walleye in the Fisherman's Picnic Big Fish Contest. In the Lake Trout category, a 20-pound, 5-ounce lunker claimed the prize. A hefty 6-pound, 3-ounce fish won the northern pike award. Overall, walleye anglers report great fishing action on Devils Track, Two Island and Elbow lakes, all conveniently located near Grand Marais. Most fish are being taken on flicks, nightcrawlers and minnows. Rainbow trout are active on Mink, Kimball and Trout lakes, with nightcrawlers being the bait of choice. Smallmouth bass are very active in most area lakes, attacking flicks, rapalas and spinners. The brook trout can be found gathering in cooler, deeper pools of most lakes and streams. On Lake Superior, lakers and salmon are being pulled from roughly 80-120 feet of water. Fish have been very active, and fishing has been excellent. More seasonable temperatures have returned and the currents and winds have shifted, turning Lake Superior quite cold once again.
Grand Rapids
800-355-9740
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Fishing remains great on Lake of the Woods. Most anglers are catching fish by pulling spinners with crawlers or leeches through 30-32 feet of water in Big Traverse. Limits, along with some large and trophy-sized fish, have been the norm. Gold, chartreuse and orange are good colors for blades. Anglers who preferred pulling plugs or jigging also caught walleyes. Schools of walleye can be found scattered from The Lighthouse Gap to Rocky Point and up to Garden Island. 800-382-FISH
Bemidji
A couple of cool nights caused the surface water temperatures to drop from the upper 70s to the mid-70s. As a resulo, some of the algae has disappeared, with visibility increasing by half a foot or more in most lakes. There has not been a superior bite for any species, however, bass may be the possible exception since they are better suited for hot water temperatures. Walleye anglers are catching fish on most of the larger lakes, but they will have to work multiple spots for a good catch. The full moon this past week also made the day bite slower for many species, with some fish taking advantage of the moonlight to feed after dark. Anglers should benefit from the slight increase in visibility, with fish able to see the bait from a greater distance. Most species have been feeding heavily, with many fish having full stomachs when they hit the fish cleaning tables. 800-458-2223
Cass Lake
800-356-8615
Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish
The walleye bite on Lake Winnibigoshish has improved this week. Successful anglers are trolling spinners with crawlers or leeches at the tops of the main lake bars. Pulling crankbaits has also worked well. Set rigs to run up to 4 feet off the bottom for the most fish. Hit the deepest weed beds you can find, setting rigs to run through the tops of the weeds. The perch bite remains great, and they are so much fun to catch. Fish over ten-inches long have been common. Northern pike have been aggressive. The best approach is to pitch a larger lure into the weed edges or troll the outside of the weeds using large crankbaits. 218/665-2268
Walker - Leech Lake
Leech Lake's Walker Bay has been the place to be for morning and evening fishing. Both Cedar and Little Cedar points are giving up lots of fish in 8-12 feet of water on lindy rigs and multi-colored jigs tipped with a leech or crawler. While many walleye have been small or in the slot range of 18- to 26-inches, lots of keeper-size walleye were also taken, and the slot fish made for some great picture-taking and memories. After sunset, anglers are having success using crankbaits between The Saucer and Cedar Point. In the main lake, walleye have been holding on the weed edges in Portage Bay and on the rocks around The Annex and Mokey Reef. Pulling spinner rigs with crawlers works best in the main lake. Muskie reports have been good on the big lake around Little Pipe Island and Uran Bay where 48- and a 51-inch muskie were recently caught and released. Spinner topwater baits have been best. Bass anglers tossing into the weed edges are enjoying lots of action. Bobber fishing for panfish has been productive along the weed edges in Steamboat Bay. This week's temperatures should be in the mid-70s, spurring on the jumbo perch bite. And don't miss the beautiful Leech Lake Regatta taking place this weekend! 800-833-1118
Hackensack
Fishing has improved now that the temperatures are more seasonable, and the night fishing has taken off. Leeches and nightcrawlers are working well for walleye anglers. Anglers report lots of northern pike and panfish action. Largemouth bass can be found by anglers fishing deep in the weeds. Look for fish in the weeds, and be prepared to troll. 800 -279-6932
Park Rapids
800-247-0054
Detroit Lakes
As of late last week, fishing pressure was down, yet walleye action remained high. Fishing should remain good with this week's cooler temperatures. Water temperatures remain in the high 70s to low 80s. Walleye are holding off the deep weed edges in 22-32 feet of water off main lake points and mid-lake humps. Some walleye are up on the flats chasing young perch in 1-11 feet of water. Panfish are active in the weeds of Rock, Shell, Toad, & Tamarac lakes. Bass are aggressive at the weed edges and near the docks on Cotton, Floyd, McDonaldand, and both Long lakes. Northern pike have been active on most area lakes, with many measuring 20- to 26-inches. Big Detroit Lake has had many reports of 40- to 50-inch muskie. 800-542-3992
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Anglers continue to do well on Otter Tail Lake. Crankbaits worked in 6-8 feet of water from 8:00 pm until around 3:00 am have produced lots of nice fish--be sure to bring some coffee! Nightcrawlers and spinners during the day are producing some fish in 15-25 feet of water. Panfish are active in depths of 12-14 feet of water, with orange feather jigs working best. Bass remain very active, hitting buzz baits and Sally jigs. 800-423-4571
Glenwood
As of late last week, walleye were still very active on Miltona, Reno and Minnewaska lakes, which is amazing during a hot spell! Minnewaska has been best during evening hours for anglers pulling crankbaits through the shallows. Bass and northern pike are common on Minnewaska. Sunfish remain hard to locate, but once a school is found, expect lots of nice-sized fish. This has been one of the best summers for fishing in many years! 320/634-3636
Whitefish
Pine River
Although hot temperatures have had an effect on fishing success, anglers are still catching fish. Northern pike, bass and panfish are especially active. Some anglers are pulling walleye from the weeds and in depths of 30 feet when using inflated nightcrawlers and leeches, especially early in the morning and at dusk. Crankbaits retrieved rapidly over the weedbeds from 12 feet to 8 feet of water have had success. All species seem to be hitting these fast-moving lures. Tube jigs at the weedlines are working well for the largemouth bass. Spinnerbaits in the weeds are turning northern pike and bass, with an occasional walleye also being taken. Muskie reports have been good, and some large fish are coming from the rock reefs and at the deep edge of the red top cabbage weed beds. 800-728-6926
Brainerd Lakes Area
Gull Lake has been a great multi-species producer! The weedlines have been key to success, especially in 14-18 feet of water. Try pitching a jig and plastic worm near the weeds, or slide out deeper using live bait rigs and pike sucker minnows in 18-22 feet or water. Floan's Point and the River Bar are great starting points. For walleye, be sure to head out early, concentrating on Bowties, Cinosam and Holman's points. To locate schools of fish, pull crankbaits or spinner/crawler combinations. Once located, head back and work them using live bait rigs tipped with minnows or crawlers in 20-28 feet of water. On the north shore of Lake Mille Lacs, fishing has been good. During the day, look for fish off the edge of the mud flats in 28-30 feet of water. Long-line spinners with crawlers or minnows are an effective method. Lead core fishing has picked up, with good numbers of fish being taken. Four-F salmo hornets, lindy river rockers and the new rapala ultra-light shads have all been effective crankbaits for the lead line. The evening bobber bite is worth checking out. For the most fish, look deep off the flats using a leech and a bobber. Smallmouth bass fishing has been strong, especially at the Garrison and Myr Mar rock reefs. Brightly-colored tube jigs, sinking minnows and chigger craws have worked well--these fish also love leeches! 800-450-2838
Aitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
800-526-8342
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
The Lake Mille Lacs walleye bite has slowed a bit which is typical for this time of year. Pulling leadcore lines with crankbaits has been effective, however, during the day. At night, bobber fishing in 28 feet of water has been best. The smallmouth bass bite has been amazing, with tube jigs worked in 14 feet of water turning lots of fish. The high water temperatures should lead to an increase in muskie action in the very near future. 888-350-2692
Willmar
800-845-8747
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls
One local angler ventured out last weekend for some exciting smallmouth bass fishing. She had the most success between the hours of 8:00 and 10:30 a.m., taking eight smallmouth ranging from 12- to 16-inches. These fish were pulled from 5-12 feet of water on tubes, jerk plastics and swim baits. As the sun rose higher and cleared the trees, the fish seemed to move deeper and become tougher to locate. Surface water temperature is roughly 80-degrees. 715/483-3580
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
651/257-1177
White Bear Area Lakes
The panfish have been hitting leeches and crappie minnows worked in 14-18 feet of water on both White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. Bass action has been great on the weedlines, with fish hitting leeches and plastic worms. Muskie and northern pike anglers report good numbers when using spinnerbaits and sucker minnows. For walleye, check depths of 14 feet using leeches and fatheads on Bald Eagle Lake. 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, August 6, conditions were mostly clear and low for all area streams and rivers. Anglers have reported success using hopper, cricket and beetle imitations. There has been some caddis activity, as well as a blue-winged olive spinner fall late last week. Come prepared! Some anglers are pursuing the smallmouth bass, however, no reports have been receivied. 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
Fishing has been decent despite near record water temperatures. Eighty-one degrees was measured on the Zumbro River the middle of last week which is unbelievably high. Still, if you can find water that is not stained and has some deep pockets you will experience some good action. Water clarity in the Zumbro watershed was only about 12-inches late last week when it is typically 2- to 3-feet this time of year, and sometimes as much as 10 feet. The preferred baits have been flukes with red 1/0 hooks, zara puppies and buzzbaits. No reports are available on walleye action, probably since they tend to be lethargic when temperatures are high--it won't be long until they turn more active. Remember, fall fishing on area streams and rivers is excellent, as are the fall colors along the river. 800-634-8277
Winona
800-657-4972
Faribault Area Lakes
800-658-2354
Albert Lea
800-345-8414
Fairmont Area Lakes
800-657-3280
Ortonville -Big Stone Lake
Anglers are having a great time with the perch and white bass on Big Stone Lake. Walleye action has slowed a bit, but fish continue to be taken. Limits of perch are varied in size, but many anglers have set the bar at 9 1/2-inches or larger, working a bit harder to take their limit of 15 perch. While some anglers continue to use walleye fishing techniques to catch the larger perch, other anglers have switched to anchoring and dropping a line over the side of the boat. Crawlers continue to be the bait of choice, but more minnows, spikes and waxworms are being used. Most perch are hovering in cooler water depths of 11-13 feet, just off the bottom. Some anglers are determined to catch their limit of walleye, and having success trolling crankbaits during early morning and early evening hours. Casting around the points and along weedlines is producing a few walleye as well, especially when there is a little wind. White bass offer the best action on the lake. The population is so plentiful that there is no limit. The size of these fish varies, but casting or trolling should get you some nice 2- to 3-pounders for a good dinner. 800-568-5722
