Explore Minnesota Fishing Report August 29, 2013 Surface water temperatures continue to climb due to unseasonably hot temperatures which are expected to linger through Labor Day Weekend. Until the fall cool down begins, anglers should fish during morning and evening hours for species such as walleyes, muskies and crappies. Northern pike, bass, perch and sunfish, however, are all good day biters so anglers have plenty of options throughout the day.
This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism, with information provided by statewide tourism organizations and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye are hitting jig and minnow combinations on Rainy Lake reefs early in the mornings. Most of the walleyes can be found in 5-35 feet of water. Some large pike have been pulled from the weedy mouths of bays. Bass are hitting lures in similar areas. For crappie action, try the mouth of the Rat Root River. Rainy River fishing continues to be best in the deepest and swiftest areas of the river. Places to check out include just above and below the Ranier Rapids, the dam at International Falls, the mouth of the Little Fork and Big Fork rivers, and Manitou Rapids near Indus. Minnows are the preferred bait in the river; slowly trolling a spinner rig works best. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
A wide variety of techniques are being used on lakes Kabetogama and Namakan during this heat wave. At present, a jig and minnow in 30-35 feet of water will work well. During early morning hours, use a slip sinker rig with a crawler or leech in depths of 9-12 feet. Anglers using artificial lures are doing pretty well in 30 feet of water when trolling. Northern pike anglers casting lures near the weed edges and shorelines are getting results, and catching a few smallmouth as well. Water temperatures are back into the mid-70s, and the best action has moved to the east end of Kabetogama into Namakan. Expect unpredictable patterns during these unusually hot days; you may find it necessary to change methods often. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comTower -Lake Vermilion
Walleye fishing on Lake Vermilion has been fairly consistent, with anglers pulling fish from the breaks in 10-20 feet of water on lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches. Look for schools of young perch and you should find walleyes. The mid-lake humps also continue to produce walleyes; for the most fish, use live bait rigs or slip bobbers in depths of 15-20 feet. Anglers trolling crankbaits on lead core or downriggers should also have success in the deeper basins. Muskie action has been great off the rock piles and shoreline weed edges, with large spinner baits turning lots of fish. Look for the most northern pike off the deep weedlines. Panfish remain active on the weed edges, hitting slip bonnets and pieces of crawler. And largemouth bass are being pulled from the shorelines and docks; smallmouth numbers have been best on the sunken rock islands. For the most fish, use crankbaits, plastics or live bait.
www.lakevermilionresorts.comEly
Although the days have turned hot, the fish seem to be unaffected. Anglers continue to capture some nice stringers of fish on most area lakes. Since leeches are scarce, most walleye anglers have turned to crawlers and minnows. Action seems to be at its peak near and just after sunset. Northern pike anglers are getting in on the action using large chunky baits fished near the rocky points and sunken islands. Some also are doing well just dropping a sucker under a bobber. Crappies have been making a comeback, with nice fish coming from 5-15 feet of water on minnows. Some anglers are also having success trolling beetle spins and other soft baits along weed edges near sunset. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Fishing is on fire for lakes located at the end of the Gunflint Trail. On Seagull, Saganaga, and North Light lakes, trophy walleyes are being reported. Just last week, an area fishing guide pulled in a 27-inch walleye when using leeches. Keep in mind that the state record holder was pulled from Lake Saganaga. These cool, clear, borderland lakes are monster producers! Slip bobbers are also working well to put large northern pike and walleye in the boat, with 12-25 foot depths being best. Rainbow trout are active on the mid-Gunflint Trail lakes, including Trout and Mink lakes. For the most fish, use nightcrawlers in depths of 15-18 feet. And the brook trout are also putting up a fight; check Kadunce or Kimball creeks located northeast of Grand Marais on Highway 61 for some great action. Shoe and Carrot lakes have also recently produced a couple of these speckled beauties.
www.visitCookCounty.comDuluth/Grand Marais -Lake Superior
As of September 29, the Lower Shore of Lake Superior, from Duluth to Two Harbors, fishing was slow despite good numbers of anglers working the waters near Two Harbors. A few anglers fishing near Park Point caught small lake trout and chinook salmon which were chasing rainbow smelt in the area. Currently, anglers are having more success up the shore, between Twin Points and Hovland. Fishing effort has been moderate to heavy from most stations along the Upper Shore, except for Hovland where foggy conditions hindered boat traffic at times. Overall, anglers report good catches of cohos and chinooks from all stations, especially from Grand Marais. Lake trout are widely scattered, mostly offshore, and suspended in the top 200 feet of the water column, often near the surface. Recently, anglers near Twin Points picked up some lakers weighing in the mid-teens; this is often the case as the season progresses. Anglers using shallow-running lures have pulled in some salmon near shore, sometimes very near shore, and within seventy feet of the surface. Chinooks were mostly 22- to 24-inches long and 2- to 5-pounds in weight, however some measured up to 32 inches, weighing up to 13-pounds. Cohos are averaging 18- to 21-inches, weighing 1.5- to 2.5-pounds. Steelhead catches continue to increase, especially near Grand Marais, with most of these measuring 20- to 27-inches.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/lakesuperiorGrand Rapids
Fishing in the Grand Rapids area has been consistent all summer, and the outlook for fall fishing is excellent. Walleyes, smallmouth bass, and northern pike continue to be pulled from Lake Pokegama. Big Splithand Lake is producing lots of bluegills and crappies, as well as walleyes during evening hours. Bass Lake in Cohasset, located west of Grand Rapids, has been also good for large bluegills, walleyes, and nice-sized northern pike. Deer Lake, located northwest of Grand Rapids, has been good for the nighttime anglers trolling for walleyes. Muskies are being seen on Deer, Moose, and Big Cutfoot Sioux lakes just northwest of Grand Rapids.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake of the Woods, trophy walleyes are still going strong, as are lots of eating-sized fish. Trolling crankbaits has been the best technique this week. Depths and areas to cover include 32-35 feet over the mud in Big Traverse Bay, 26-28 feet of water in front of Morris Gap, six miles north of Long Point in 27-30 feet of water, and along the border ten miles north of the Lighthouse Gap. Drifting and jigging is starting to show better results during evening hours in 6-15 feet of water in the sand and over the rocks near Pine Island. Sturgeon remain very active in deep holes with current on the Rainy River. Smallmouth bass anglers are consistently taking fish on white spinnerbaits and crankbaits worked at the boulders and mouths of tributaries. Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye action has been steady in the deep rocky structure in 22-25 feet of water. Try a dead minnow and chartreuse jig north of Skeet Island and near Little Oak Island for the most fish. Northern pike and muskie are very active in the deep weed beds during late afternoon and evening hours. Smallmouth bass are active along the shorelines hitting spinnerbaits and crankbaits. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Surface water temperatures continue to climb due to the unseasonably hot temperatures. Most area lakes have surface temperatures in the mid- to upper 70s, the highest water temperatures so far this summer. These unusually hot temperatures are expected to continue into the first part of September, and anglers will have to deal with the heat through Labor Day Weekend. Until the fall cool down begins, anglers will need to fish during in morning and evening hours for species such as walleyes, muskies and crappies. Northern pike, bass, perch and sunfish, however, are all good day biters, so anglers have plenty of options during the day. Walleyes have been feeding on the sides of the structure, both shoreline and mid-lake structure of many area lakes. Run your electronics along the structure and look for areas with baitfish and larger marks on the sonar. Once you locate some active walleyes, drop live bait rigs with leeches, nightcrawlers or larger minnows. Perch have been active in 5-8 feet of water. The best presentation is a 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jig with a fathead minnow. 800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
The walleye bite is currently very strong on Lake Winnibigoshish, and some consider it to be the best bite of the year! The main lake bar tops are going strong, with anglers taking good numbers of walleyes using spinners and crawlers in 12-15 foot depths. Look to Center, Moses, and Snag Hole bars on the west side of the lake for solid walleye action. On the east side of the lake, check out The Saddle out to Red Hook and Moxey. When the wind blows, the weed bite turns on in 5-8 feet of water; for the most fish, use a spinner or jig with a minnow or half of a crawler. One area to try this approach is at the weed edges at Bowan's Flats. Most of the larger perch are coming from the main lake bar tops. Lake Winnie's north shore is giving up lots of walleyes to anglers trolling smaller crankbaits just outside the weeds; for large northern pike, run large crankbaits quickly over the weed tops, especially from Big Stoney to Farley Creek. Also try dunking a minnow at the weed beds. Sunfish are very active on most area lakes early and late in the day, hitting small jigs under a bobber, 2-3 feet down in 5-7 feet of water.
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
The hot temperatures seem to have led to a hot muskie bite! The bite has been good from Portage Bay and Pelican Island to the Grand Vu cabbage weed beds and rocks, but Leech Lake offers many great muskie fishing spots and these can change day to day. Walleye and perch anglers continue to catch fish, and walleye anglers are doing especially well when trolling or drifting lindy rigs and crawlers. Fish are also being caught by anglers using a bobber and leech, or vertically jigging with a minnow at the cabbage weeds in the Walker Bay Narrows. When there is a good drifting wind, hit the two Duck Point areas for limits of walleyes. 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
Finding the sub-surface weed growth is key to finding fish on Park Rapids area lakes. Most minnows in these freshwater lakes feed and lay eggs on lake vegetation. As minnows are a main source of food for gamefish, the weed growth will be your best to locate fish. The edge of the deep growing weeds is the key location for active walleyes. Use your electronics to find the weed stands in 14-18 feet of water. Follow this weed line early in the morning using a lindy rig and minnow. The first few hours of sunlight have been better than evening hours, and the lake is much quieter at this time. Keep in mind that walleyes are sensitive to boat noise such as motors, and even sonar units; cut your outboard motor 50 yards or more from your destination. Anglers heading out during the day should use a #9 shad rap trolled through similar waters. The current warm temperatures have turned the muskies into very active predators, and topwater lures are best. Don't spend too much time in one area since studies show that on average there is only 1 fish per three acres of water. Keep the boat moving and work depths of 1-16 feet. Largemouth bass get larger as the summer progresses, reaching their peak weight in September. The deep points with weed growth nearby will hold more above-average sized fish. A slow presentation in depths of 15 feet has been best. Bluegills continue to congregate in 10-20 feet of water in and around the standing cabbage and coontail weeds. Locate these weed beds and you should locate large bluegills. Any small jig tipped with a waxworm or angle worm should do the trick. Pink, yellow and white seem to catch more fish. The crappies are feeding in the same areas as the large bluegills. For the largest crappies, use a larger hand tied jig in white or yellow. 800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.com Detroit Lakes
Walleye have been active in most Detroit Lakes area lakes. Leeches are working well on jigs, live bait rigs, and spinners, but can be difficult to find. Crawlers are working well on live bait rigs and spinners. The minnow bite has picked up when combined with a jig or live bait rig. Depths of 14-24 feet have been best. Smallmouth bass action has picked up, with nice fish coming from Cormorant, Lida and Island lakes. Most fish are relating to weed cover in 13 feet of water or less. For the most action, use jigs, jigging spoons and spinners. Northern pike are active on the deeper weed edges, hitting crankbaits, spinners, spoons, and large sucker minnows on rigs. Fish over 30-inches in length are coming from Sallie, Melissa, Big Detroit, McDonald and Pine lakes. Muskie activity is high on Big Detroit, Sallie and Pelican lakes, with fish measuring over 50-inches caught and released this past week. Anglers having the most success are casting baits over mid-lake weed flats. Panfish are extremely active in the weeds, hitting pieces of crawler, waxies, small minnows, and panfish jigs with plastics. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Glenwood
As of late last week, the sunnies were scattered on Lake Minnewaska, but once located, there were nice-sized. Use waxworms and small jigs for the most panfish. Bass were also scattered. Anglers reported the most success during early morning hours when running spinnerbaits through the shallows. The bass will head deeper as the morning progresses. Northern pike have been active all day long, hitting trolled crankbaits in 5-8 feet of water. Walleye action has been very slow. Anglers taking fish are using live bait after dark. Lake Miltona was reported to have the best walleye bite. 320/634-3636
Whitefish - Whitefish Chain of Lakes Region
Reports indicate that the walleye bite has actually picked up at bit. Anglers are taking fish on lindy rigs tipped with a leech or crawler during low light hours. Start out in 14-20 foot depths, and at sundown, try a redtail in shallower waters. The northern pike are responding best to very large minnows. Try jigging or bobber rigging on the edge of the weedlines and breaks. Another option is to troll deep divers and spinner baits. Bass anglers are taking large fish from roughly 20 feet of water, with live bait working best. Plastics around the docks are producing lots of smaller bass. Crappies and sunnies are being pulled from depths of 20 feet on small leeches and crappie minnows. The best approach has been a lindy rig tipped with a large leech.
www.whitefish.orgPine River
Lakes in the Pine River area continue to produce hug bass and northern pike, as well as lots of smaller fish! Panfishing remains hot on the deeper, off-shore bars and humps. Sunfish have been hovering at the base of thick weedbeds, and crappies can be found moving along the same structure during early morning and late evening hours. Walleye action has been sporadic, but fish are being pulled from 20-35 feet of water by anglers using spinner rigs with a leech or nightcrawler. Some walleyes are also being taken from weedbeds; while tougher to fish, they are there. Try a crankbait or deep-running spinnerbait in yellow or white for the best response. Labor Day weekend should be good for all species. 800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Lake Mille Lacs has not had as much fishing pressure lately, and the accesses have been nearly empty. One guide that has ventured out reports catching just as many fish in depths less than 15 feet as in depths of 27 feet and deeper; the deeper waters, however, looked a bit more promising since good numbers of fish and lots of bait fish were marked. Trolling with active lures is recommended. The best bet for some walleye action is to head out around dark with a slip bobber and a leech in 27-plus feet of water. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
Fishing has become spotty due to hot and humid weather, and there aren't many people heading out on these hot, sunny days. The few reports that have been received are that the deeper lakes are still producing fish. Look for sunfish, crappies, bass, and northern pike in roughly 10-20 foot depths. The deeper lakes to try are Green, Diamond, Eagle, Andrew, Florida, and Games lakes. Expect the walleye to "perk up" once cooler temperatures move in. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan area
White Bear Area Lakes
Steamy temperatures have caused fishing to slow a bit on White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. Most walleyes are being taken at night by anglers lindy rigging fatheads and nightcrawlers in deeper waters. Lots of sunfish continue to be taken on leeches and nightcrawlers worked in 10-12 feet of water. The crappies are holding in deeper waters, sometimes found suspended in depths of 30 feet, with crappie minnows and tube jigs turning the most fish. The bass and northern pike are also holding in deeper waters. For the most action, hit the weed edges and drop-offs in depths of 12-20 feet of water using plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and live bait. The muskies are becoming very active, hitting fast moving baits such as bucktails and blade baits. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia -Lake Waconia
The fish have been cooperating with Lake Waconia anglers. Most of the fish are coming from depths of 10-15 feet at the weed edges. The healthiest, thickest weeds on one of the reefs or along a stretch of shoreline will work best. 952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Wednesday, August 28, reports indicated a heavy rainfall during morning hours. Stream conditions were fine before this event, and by 1:00 p.m., conditions were generally clear and normal for most area streams and rivers. Most of the rain fell in a strip that extended from Rochester to St. Charles and down to Rushford and Caledonia. Trico spinner falls were observed on the South Branch Root River and North Branch Whitewater River. Hopper populations were spotty, ranging from non-existent to very abundant. Aquatic vegetation was minimal due to flooding on many streams earlier this year. As updates on stream conditions become available they will be posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
As fish turn more aggressive, anglers should try their luck using topwater lures. Conditions are expected to remain stable, providing stellar end of the summer fishing and a good beginning to hot fall action as fish ramp up their appetite prior to the winter season. 800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.org Fairmont Area Lakes
Hall Lake crappies are starting to bite again. Most of these fish are coming from the rocks on minnows worked in 6 feet of water. The bluegills remain action on the shorelines, hitting waxworms in less than 6 feet of water. Budd Lake fishing is very similar to fishing on Hall Lake, however, the best rock piles are in depths of 6-12 feet. On Sisseton Lake, bluegills remain shallow, with some nice bass coming from under the docks. On North Silver Lake, lots of smaller perch and bluegills are being reported; great entertainment for the kids. And on Tuttle Lake, a couple of walleyes were recently reported by anglers casting jigs and plastics. 800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
The fishing activity has slowed on Big Stone Lake, with only a handful of anglers heading out onto the water. The fish, however, remain active. Two couples from Nebraska recently took a large number of perch and white bass when pulling crankbaits around the Minnesota side of the lake across from Windmill Reef. Another angler used spikes right on the bottom of the lake and catching 15 very nice perch, all measuring over 11-inches. While he did not share his location, watch for anchored boats! Anglers sitting on the docks have reported some nice perch just before sunset; bluegills were taken at sunset, and some crappies were caught just after sunset. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
