The
Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Crosby, where area lakes and the Mississippi River are giving up good numbers of walleyes, muskies, bass and panfish.
Please note that smallmouth bass are now catch-and-release only on inland 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
Boulder Lake has been good for lots of crappies, with walleyes being taken on rainbow chubs worked in 5-7 feet of water at the rocky areas. Island Lake is giving up walleyes early in the morning and late in the evening in depths of 16-20 feet. On Lake Superior, walleyes are coming from roughly 120 feet of water, a couple of miles out from the pumping station. For the most fish, use glow spoons and sticks. Coho salmon are biting at Two Harbors and further north, with fish averaging 7- to 10-pounds. Fish taken from the south shore are running a bit larger, and weighing up to 15-pounds. Lake trout continue to be pulled from 40-80 feet of water, from the Lester River to Grand Marias.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, fishing patterns have been inconsistent due to major temperature fluctuations, with shallow water fish relocating to deeper waters. Last weekend, anglers reported success on the reef edges and windblown structure in depths of 26-35 feet on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. The best approach has been a minnow on a slip sinker rig or ball jig. Northern pike are coming in on trolled or cast lures worked at the edges or over the tops of the submerged weeds. Another good fall method is to fish a sucker minnow under a slip bobber either along a shoreline or in an opening in the weeds. Smallmouth bass fishing is now catch-and-release only on Lake Kabetogama. Bass anglers are reporting success using deeper-diving lures in depths of 12-18 feet at the rock structure and rocky shorelines. The Lake Namakan bass season remains open year around, however anglers must understand the regulations when traveling between Kabetogama and Namakan with bass.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, cooler, windier weather has made fishing Rainy Lake a bit more challenging. The crappies, however, continue to bite in Sand and Black bays, and walleyes are being pulled from the east end reefs. Blueberry Island and the Fox Islands have also been hot spots. The best approach seems to be a jig and minnow combination. Smallmouth bass are being taken near the weedy edges in the lake, and in areas with swifter current in the river. Rainy River is giving up quite a few walleyes near the rapids, and at the confluences of the Big Fork and Little Fork Rivers. For the most fish, use a shiner minnow on a spinner rig.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, fall fishing action is in full swing as the shiners start to run in the Rainy River. A nice school of walleyes has been located just outside The Gap, and the walleyes have returned to the south shore of the lake. The best action has been in 23-30 feet of water from the Lighthouse Gap to the Morris Point Gap. On the Rainy River, anglers are taking the majority of smaller walleyes and sauger from 12-16 feet of water. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, some nice walleyes are coming from the reefs and rocks in depths of 28-31 feet. As the water temperature cools, the Island muskie bite should improve.
Blackduck
Walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations worked in 12 feet of water or less on Blackduck Lake. Some anglers are also having success trolling crankbaits through depths of 10-12 feet of water. Area panfish lakes continue to give up nice numbers of fish.
Bemidji
The walleyes are moving into deeper waters, and can be found in roughly 20-40 foot depths. Redtails on a live bait rig, and jig and fathead combinations are working well. There have been few reports from panfish anglers.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, most fish remain in the shallows, and can be found in 6-8 feet of water in the weeds. Anglers are catching these fish using green or watermelon fireball jigs tipped with chubs. For the most fish, work the north shore, or The Highbanks on the east shore. The walleyes have also started to move into Cutfoot Sioux, with fish being pulled from depths of 12-14 feet on any of the gravel humps and points. Some anglers are using crawlers and rigs, and some are using a jig and minnow combination. The crappies have started to move a little deeper, and have become more cooperative--this should only get better with the cooler temperatures.
Park Rapids
Walleyes have been biting in roughly 22 feet of water on Fishhook Lake, with fatheads working best. Long Lake has been good for northern pike action, especially when using sucker minnows in depths of 14 feet. Bass are active on many area lakes--for the most fish, use a jig and worm.
Pelican Rapids
A good walleye and crappie bite is being reported on Lake Lida in 15-18 feet of water, with crappies suspended roughly 12 feet down. Also check out Pelican and Franklin lakes for walleye action. The fall walleye bite is in full swing. And, muskie anglers are live-baiting on Beers Lake.
Battle Lake
Walleyes continue to be pulled from Ottertail Lake, with minnows working best in 7-11 feet of water on windy days, and in depths of 16-22 feet on calm days. Some anglers are also doing well using crankbaits. Walleyes are coming in on minnows worked in 17-30 feet of water on West Battle Lake. Anglers are taking fish from depths of 18-24 feet on Stalker Lake. The bass remain very active along the weeds--some of the better lakes include Eagle, Clitheral and South Turtle. Northern pike are biting on the weedlines in 15-20 feet of water on Ottertail, West Battle, Clitheral and Silver lakes, with minnows and trolled crankbaits working best. Sunnies are coming from 6-12 foot depths on crawlers and leeches on West Battle, Star, Clitheral and Fiske lakes. Crappies can be found suspended, roughly 3-4 feet off the bottom, in 15-25 feet of water on West Battle Lake.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, sunnies are being pulled from Coon Point. Northern pike and a few walleyes are coming from the weed edges.
Crosslake
Cooler temperatures have caused walleye action to pick up on Crosslake and the Whitefish Chain. Anglers are having success using lindy rigs tipped with red tails in 24-30 feet of water during early morning and evening hours. Northern pike action has been great when using spinnerbaits, or spinner rigs with large pike minnows. For the most fish, hit the outside weedlines or depths of 30 feet. Anglers are also taking fish on rapala crankbaits trolled through 20-30 foot depths. Bass are hitting surface baits and plastic worms, with the larger fish coming from the outside weed edges. The best approach has been either a spinnerbait or a worm rig. Crappies and sunnies are very active, and coming from 18-20 feet of water on small jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms.
Crosby
Walleye action on Rabbit and Serpent lakes has started to heat up, and lots of fish continue to be pulled from the Mississippi River. A jig has been best for the most fish. Trout action is improving, with some nice fish recently taken. Panfish remain active on area lakes, and the river continues to give up some nice-size fish. The best approach on the river has been a 1/32-ounce jig tipped with a grub or minnow worked along the rice or logjams. Smallmouth bass are also active on the Mississippi, with topwater lures producing the most fish. Largemouth bass are being pulled from the weeds on spinnerbaits during daytime hours. Some fish are coming from the deeper waters on plastics. While northern pike action has been fair, the muskie action remains excellent, with crankbaits producing the most fish.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleyes are biting on the rocks. Lots of 2-pound smallmouth bass were recently caught while trolling rapalas. Some large muskies were also recently taken, especially on the north end. Overall, fishing should continue to improve with the cooler temperatures. Fish are starting to move in--the best bet would be to hit the shallow rocks using crankbaits during evening hours in roughly 12 feet of water.
Grey Eagle
Walleyes are being taken from Big and Little Birch lakes once again. The best bite is now on fatheads and shiners. On Lake Alexander, lots of walleyes are coming in on redtails, with many limits being reported. Big Swan Lake has been best for lots of sunfish. Panfish are also coming from Mound Lake. Bass are active on many area lakes, as well as on the Mississippi River. Shamineau Lake continues to be the hot spot for muskies, with muskie action also heating up on Buckhorn Lake.
St. Cloud
Sunfish are biting on Briggs and Pearl lakes, as well as on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes. Panfish leeches and waxworms are working best. The crappie bite seems to have slowed a bit on the Mississippi River, probably due to fluctuating temperatures. For a few fish, work a fathead or crappie minnow on a tube jig at the submerged vegetation and rocks. Walleyes have also become more sluggish on the river, however some fish can be found by vertically jigging fatheads.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Annandale
On Clearwater lake, the crappie bite has improved, with minnows producing fish at the weedlines in 10-12 feet of water. Greater numbers of nice-size sunnies are being taken on worms worked in depths of 10-12 feet. Walleyes are coming in on deep-running shad raps and crankbaits in 20-25 feet of water. Northern pike are biting throughout the lake, from the shallow weeds to the deeper waters, with crankbaits and spinners working best.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, 46- and 44-inch muskie were taken last weekend--one was caught on a bucktail in Waconia Bay, and the other was taken on a topwater lure on the south side of the island. Sunnies are active in 10-14 feet of water at Pillsbury and West Center reefs. A few walleyes are also being taken from the reefs. Last weekend, bass were pulled from Waconia Bay on jigs, plastics and spinners worked along the weedlines.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, now that the recreational boat traffic has slowed, anglers are enjoying some excellent fall fishing. Both muskie and bass action has been great.
Chisago City
Anglers are taking sunnies, crappies, and an occasional walleye between the A-Frame and island on Chisago Lake. Fish are also coming from Nelson Bar on North Center Lake. In general, walleye action has slowed, but the cooler temperatures should result in excellent fall fishing in the near future. Bass remain active on most area lakes.
Forest Lake
Walleye action is improving now that water temperatures have dropped, and anglers are taking fish from Forest, Clear and Green lakes. The panfish bite remains strong. Crappies can be found suspended in the deeper waters, with the sunnies holding in the shallows. The muskie bite has been best during evening hours. Bass and northern pike are acitve throughout the area. For the most northern pike, use a sucker under a bobber.
Oakdale/East metro area waters
Pool 2 on the Mississippi River has been good for walleyes, sauger and white bass. Muskies are active on Bald Eagle Lake. Anglers on Lake Jane, and most area lakes, report excellent bass action when using topwater baits.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Missisippi River, walleyes and sauger are moving up into the rocky areas near Maple Springs, with anglers catching fish on hair jigs and minnows. Bass remain down in the rocks by Pine Creek. Northern pike are biting by the mouth of the Rush and Pine rivers, with fish being taken on large red eye spoons, daredevils, and large sucker minnows. Panfish remain active in Baypoint Park. Anglers expect fishing to really heat up in roughly two weeks.
St. Peter
Some walleyes are biting in the Madison Lake narrows at night, with fish being taken by anglers casting crankbaits into the rocks. Sunnies are being pulled from Clear Lake near Lexington. A few crappies are coming from the 3rd Point on Lake Washington.
Waterville
Fishing has been excellent this last week on Lake Tetonka, with lots of nice-size crappies and sunnies being taken on minnows and waxworms. A few walleyes are coming from the deeper waters on floating jigs. Lake Sakatah is also giving up a few fish under the Hwy 13 Bridge. Anglers report both largemouth and smallmouth bass hitting worms and spinners on a daily basis. Northern pike action has slowed, however a few fish continue to be taken on spoons and buzz baits.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
