Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update, Aug. 22, 2014 Multiple species are coming in on live bait rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers. Good numbers of walleyes and perch are being pulled from the tops of the structure in lakes with an algae bloom. Algae tints the water green and reduces visibility which allows light sensitive species such as walleye a chance to feed more comfortably during the day.
Consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Basics web page for the most current information on seasons and regulations. 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
Rainy Lake anglers are still finding walleyes on the submerged reefs, with some large northern pike also lurking in these areas. Jigging with a minnow or leech in roughly 30 feet of water has been the key to success. Popular reefs are between the Island View area and Lost Bay. The best reports for large pike are coming from Cranberry and Black bays, where crappies are also being taken. On the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing has been very popular, especially with the North American Sturgeon Fishing Championship last weekend near Birchdale. The sturgeon tag season is open until the end of September, you can tag one fish per year, and, it must be 45-to-50 inches or over 75 inches to tag. All other sturgeon must be released immediately. Sturgeon are responding best to worms. Walleyes, on the other hand, continue to hit emerald shiner minnows. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Anglers are taking good numbers of walleye when using live bait early in the morning, and during late afternoon and evening hours. For the most walleyes, use a slip sinker rig or jig head tipped with live bait in 22-28 feet of water off the reef edges. Expect a soft bite; the perch are more aggressive. Northern pike and bass have been active throughout the day, hitting artificial baits either cast or trolled. For pike and bass, hit the shorelines and weed edges. Bass are responding best to spinner baits, plastics and crayfish lures. Anglers using small sucker minnows under bobbers are also taking nice northern pike. Deep water trolling is beginning to turn fish. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly Area Lakes
Water temperatures have warmed into the upper 70s, yet many anglers continue to take good numbers of fish. Large northern pike are being pulled from the weed edges and rocky points on large crankbaits, spoons, spinners, and large minnows. Crappies have schooled, and they are most active during low light conditions. For the most fish, try small tube jigs, micro-sized soft baits, and minnows at dusk and at dawn, with fish found suspended in waters 6-21 feet deep. Recently, walleyes seem to be one of two sizes: small and extra large. A lot of fish measuring 10- to 15-inches are being reported, and over the past few weeks there have been a number of large fish reported, some weighing over nine pounds! Lake trout are responding to spoons and crankbaits pulled through 40-55 feet of water. Trout weighing 5- to 7-pounds are being netted on a regular basis, along with a few 10- to 12-pounders! 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgGrand Rapids
The abundant algae growth is drawing fish into the shallows and around the weedlines due to the low light density and abundance of bait. There have been good to great reports coming in from most area lakes, and especially Pokegama, Wabana, Trout, Splithand and Big Winnie/Cutfoot Sioux. Live bait rigs and spinners tipped with a crawler or minnow has been great for multiple species when worked in the shallows. The best sinker weight and trolling speed should be based on the thickness of the weed cover. Crankbaits are producing fish over the mid lake bars and off the shoreline structure, with trophy-size northern pike and walleye being reported. Jigging and casting spinnerbaits along the weedlines and rock structure has been great for smallmouth and largemouth bass. In the deeper areas lakes such as Pokegama, look for walleyes in the deeper waters, and panfish on the shallow side of the weed edges.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Downrigging and pulling spinners have been the most effective techniques this week, with lots of trophy-size walleyes being reported. Nice eating-size fish are coming from the area north of Garden Island around Crow Duck Island and Glen's Reef in 16-22 feet of water. The West Bar is giving up lots of nice fish to anglers pulling spinners through 14-22 feet of water. The western reefs, including Archie’s, are starting to heat up. Good walleye action is being reported at the Lighthouse Gap in depths of 15-20 feet, as well as in areas 6 miles out from gap. The best blade colors are currently hammered gold and silver, especially when baited with crawlers. Downriggers are effective in 30-34 feet of water when using shad raps, wally divers, and reef runners. Up at the Northwest Angle, depths of 19-24 feet are producing a nice mix of fish at Little Oak, the Four Blocks, and areas north of Garden Island. And on the Rainy River, jigging with a frozen shiner in 14-20 feet of water is turning lots of fish. Try gold, glow, and pink/gold colors for the most action. There have also been some reports of anglers doing well using spinners tipped with crawlers in 16-18 feet of water. Sturgeon anglers are doing well in front of Timbermill and in the area heading east towards Birchdale—anglers may keep one sturgeon through September 31. **Pictured above is an amazing 51-inch northern pike recently pulled from Lake of the Woods by Justin Hammann. Congratulations Justin! 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Anglers are finding walleyes in a range of depths in most lakes, with smaller pods of walleyes now more common than the larger schools of fish often found in the spring and fall. Most anglers are doing well when trolling for walleyes with 1- to 2-ounce bottom bouncer and spinner rig tipped with a nightcrawler or leech; a “slow-death” style spinning action is best. The tops of the structure are holding walleyes and perch in many of the larger lakes with an algae bloom. The algae tints the water green, making visibility lower and allowing light sensitive species such as walleyes a change to feed more comfortably during the day. Surface water temperatures remain in the mid-70s in most lakes, but cooler temperatures in the extended forecast might be a sign that the fall cool down will soon begin. Northern pike have been active on the deep edge of the weeds in most lakes, aggressively hitting most presentations, with anglers generally catching a pike or two even if they are targeting other species. 877-250-5959;
www.visitbemidji.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
Some nice walleyes continue to be pulled from the North Humps on Lake Winnibigoshish. Spinners and rigs with leeches or crawlers have been the most effective. The tops seem to be the best location; troll around the humps’ edges to connect with fish. Also try trolling 14-16 feet of water at the edge of Center Bar using crankbaits or spinners with crawlers. The perch bite has been very good, with the larger fish in depths ranging from 8-25 feet. Jigs and minnows remain the best bet. Look to the main lake bar drops or first shore drop, and if you graph pods of fish, stay put. Northern pike are active, hitting trolled spoons and larger crankbaits worked outside the deeper weed edges in 8-14 feet of water. The main lake bars are giving up some larger fish to anglers using rigs and large minnows in depths greater than 30 feet. Crappies and sunnies are active in most area waters, including Winnibigoshish, Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux, the Third River, and in Tamarac Bay. Work the weed edges in 6-12 feet of water, especially early and late in the day.
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
The last couple of weeks have been good to Leech Lake walleye anglers! While fish have been deeper, they are still relating to shoreline structure such as underwater points and bars. Depending on wind and cloud cover, the best depths range from 14-30 feet. If possible, mark a school, make a pass through, pick off the aggressive ones and then move on to the next school. Additionally, these schools of fish will slide around on individual pieces of structure as you are working them so stay mobile. The best presentation is now a jigging rapala, clearly out-fishing live bait, and it is worth the effort. Experiment with size and color; despite this being a reaction bite, the pattern seems to make a difference. As fall approaches, the bite will continue to improve, and the jig and minnow bite will resurrect itself very soon! 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comHackensack Area Lakes
Anglers are finding scattered walleyes using nightcrawlers during the day, and leeches under lighted bobbers after dark. Nighttime anglers will want to check out the middle of Ten Mile Lake. Great panfish reports are coming from Birch, Pleasant, Woman, and some of the smaller area lakes. Crappie action remains strong at the tall weeds in 8-15 feet of water, especially during evening hours. Sunfish are hanging at the deeper weed edges, with some nice gills also coming from the edges of the lily pads. The muskie bite on Leech Lake remains excellent. Lots of fish measuring in the upper 30s and lower 40s are being reported, along with quite a few 46-inch fish. Smallmouth bass action has really heating up this week, and this may be the start of the fall bite. Depths of 10-16 feet have been best, but the larger fish are also coming from the shallow flats. Topwater lures are great for some explosive action. 800-279-6932;
www.hackensackchamber.comPark Rapids
Anglers are having the most success at dawn since this is when the water is at its coolest. Walleyes can be found feeding between the pencil reed edge and the inside edge of the submerged vegetation. The tall submerged vegetation usually starts growing at 8 feet. Being quiet is also of utmost importance as walleyes spook easily in the shallows. Shut down your electronics and only use your trolling motor when necessary, making long casts with a jig tipped with a leech or shiner minnow. Later in the day, try trolling a shad rap for a few fish. Some nice northern pike have been recently caught by anglers working the deeper weed edges with a medium-sized sucker minnow. Use your electronics to locate thick, tall beds of cabbage weeds in depths of 12-25 feet of water. Start your hunt in the deepest bay of the lake where the water is slightly cooler. Largemouth bass remain active, hitting nearly everything worked at the coon tail weeds in 10-15 feet of water. The majority of crappies and bluegills can be found in and around the deep growing cabbage weed stands. A 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jig tipped with a waxworm will put fish in the boat. 800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes Area Lakes
Water temps remain in the mid-70s in lakes throughout the Detroit Lakes area. Walleyes are biting in 22-28 feet of water on most area lakes, with leeches on live bait rigs with a 4-5ft leader turning the most fish. Mid-lake structure is producing better than the shoreline breaks. Large bass are being pulled from the structure on the breaks outside the large weed beds. Bass anglers are also having success when pitching to the docks and shaded cover during the day. Melissa, Floyd, Long (both), McDonald and Cotton lakes have been the best producers. Large bluegills are coming from Tamarac, Rock, Height of Land, and Little Pelican lakes. Some large crappies are being taken on minnows and plastics rip-jigged across the flat edges in 8-11 feet of water. Most of the muskie action is taking place on Big Detroit, Beers and Many Point lakes. For the most action, work high action baits across the weed flats that extend into main lake areas. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Country
Walleyes are being pulled from 10-20 feet of water during the day by anglers using jigs with minnows and bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers. Walleye anglers are having success after dark when using rapalas in 5 feet of water. Spinners, tube jigs, and senkos are turning lots of bass at the weed beds in 5-8 feet of water. Northern Pike are coming from depths of 12-20 feet on minnows. For sunnies and crappies, hit the weed beds in 8-10 feet of water using a flu flu, waxworm, or nightcrawler. Muskie anglers are finding fish during evening hours when using bulldogs or spinners in 10-15 feet of water. 800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comAlexandria Area Lakes
Anglers are taking some very nice walleyes. Depths of 5-6 feet, as well as 20-28 feet are producing fish, depending on the time of day. Pulling lindy rigs, spinners and crankbaits are producing fish when presented at 1.0 - 2.5 mph. Covering a lot of water has been the key to success. To locate the fish that are actively feeding, use your sonar to pinpoint a school sitting tight to the bottom, and work the fish that are 2-3 feet off the bottom since these are the ones feeding on clouds of bait fish. Panfishing has also been very good, especially at the 12-18 foot weeds. A 1/16-ounce jig with a white twister tail trolled at roughly 1 mph has been a great way to locate nice-sized crappies. Anglers are also doing well when trolling a 1/32-ounce jig and small spinner. If you know where the fish are, throw out a bobber and a worm, otherwise your best bet is to troll. 800-235-9441;
www.vacationalexandriamn.comBrainerd Lakes Area
Gull Lake is giving up the majority of walleyes this week, and the last few days have been fantastic for both size and numbers. The best locations are just outside of the weeds in depths of 13-14 feet. Anglers having the most success are using a creek chub on a lindy rig; the best snell length is two feet long with a #2 hook. The Whitefish Chain is still producing a few walleyes, but the bite has slowed considerably. The bass bite has been good on most area lakes, especially at the deep water weed edges. Use crankbaits in areas where the cabbage weeds meet the sand grass. Sunnies are coming from 14-16 feet of water. 800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Thursday, Aug. 21, most area streams and rivers ranged from clear to slightly off due morning rain showers. On Tuesday, Aug. 19, Winnebago Creek was gin clear. Trico spinner falls were observed, and fish were rising. Recently, a new area fisheries biologist discovered why southeast Minnesota trout streams are so special after catching a 24-inch brown trout on the South Fork Root, and a 14-inch brook trout on Bee Creek! As updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. You are also welcome to call the office for updates at 507-467-2442. Before traveling, please check out the new detailed fishing easement maps. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Big Stone Lake continues to give up excellent numbers of perch, with limits of quality fish being taken. No need to wait for September, the bite is happening now! The Grapevine Reef, BayView area, Windmill Reef and Manhattan Reef are all kicking out perch, as well as some large bluegills. The best presentation is a simple spike or piece of crawler on a hook, with just enough weight to get it to the bottom. Walleye action remains slow, so most anglers are concentrating on the excellent perch action. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
