The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Walker, where Leech Lake is giving up excellent of numbers of walleyes and nice-size perch.
Please note that the smallmouth bass season is 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
Crappie action on Fish and Boulder lakes remains excellent. Walleyes are being pulled from 13-14 feet of water on Island and Fish lakes on jig and minnow combinations, as well as on lindy rigs. The muskies are active on the St. Louis River, and on Island and Vermilion lakes. Walleye anglers are also doing well on Lake Vermilion. On Lake Superior, the lake trout season has closed. Chinook and coho salmon are biting up near the Knife River. Walleyes and crappies are also being pulled from the river, with large crappies coming from the pockets.
Ely
Fishing has been excellent. Recent changes in weather patterns seem to have increased the walleye action, with anglers reporting the best walleye fishing since spring. Most anglers are having success using standard tactics, such as crankbaits, jig and minnow combinations, and spinner rigs tipped with a minnow. Fish can be found staging in 20-30 foot depths. Smallmouth bass remain very active, however anglers must remember that these fish are catch-and-release only on inland waters at this time. For lots of action, toss a crankbait or jig and tube combination into 5-12 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting spoons, and suckers under slip bobbers near the weed edges. Anglers should come prepared for quick changes in weather conditions, and pack rain gear, even if it's sunny!
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, despite various fronts, fishing has been very good. On some days, anglers took good numbers of smaller, eating-size walleyes. On other days, anglers took quite a few larger fish. The best depth has been 26-35 feet of water on both Kabetogama and Namakan. The reef edges and the openings to the windswept bays were the best locations, especially in the east half of Kabetogama, and on into Namakan. Use a tri-colored ball jig in the shallower waters, and a glow-in-the-dark jig for the deeper water presentations. Northern pike action has also been strong, with live bait and slip bobbers taking fish from the edges and tops of the deep weeds. Some anglers have also had success using Husky Jerks and X-Raps. Crappies are hitting live bait on a plain hook or small jig near the Ash River, Kabetogama entrance, and on into Namakan.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes are being pulled from 30-40 feet of water around Sand Bay, near the American Narrows and Grindstone Island, and at the east end reefs. In Rainy River, walleye fishing has been best near the mouth of the Littlefork River. Crappie action has been best in Sand and Black bays. Large northern pike are also being pulled from Black Bay.
===========================
NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, the water temperature is roughly 56-degrees. The shiners are on the move, and the walleyes are beginning to follow. Lots of walleyes are being pulled from just outside Wheeler's Point Gap, around Oak Island, and north of Garden Island, especially on gold rapalas, walleye divers, and nearly any red lure worked in 18-20 feet of water. The rocks around Zipple Bay are giving up some nice fish in depths of 10-14 feet. A recent fishing trip to an area near Wheeler's Point resulted in a few crappies and lots of smaller walleyes--even a sturgeon almost made it into the boat. On the Rainy River, fishing has been excellent, with one angler reporting non-stop action around the rocks at Birchdale. A variety of species have been pulled from the river recently. The sturgeon season has closed, and is now catch-and-release only. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, anglers are taking limits of walleyes, as well as quite a few 23- to 27-inch fish. The crappie bite has also been strong, especially when using a 3/8-ounce jig tipped with a minnow.
Blackduck
Perch are active on Blackduck Lake, with a lot of 10- to 12-inch fish being taken. Anglers are taking quite a few walleyes from Blackduck and Gull lakes.
Bemidji
On Lake Bemidji, walleyes are hitting jig and shiner combinations, and redtails on a lindy rig. Fish have been scattered, with some found as deep as 40 feet down.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, fishing has been great despite the weather. Along the North Shore, The Highbanks are giving up walleyes in 6-9 feet of water on jig and minnow combinations. Water temperatures are holding in the mid-50’s. The bite on Big Cutfoot Sioux has been good, with walleyes consistently being pulled from 12-16 foot depths around the points and at The Gap. Crappies are coming from McAvity Bay and Little Cutfoot Sioux--Little Cutfoot is also giving up some large bluegills along with the crappies. The Three Sister’s area of Tamarack Bay is reportedly offering a good perch and walleyes bite.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleye fishing has been excellent. Anglers are having the most success working the windy side of the lake using a jig and minnow combination. Many fish measuring over 26-inches are coming from 10-14 feet of water on the main lake. Redtails have been best for the largest fish. Perch anglers will want to bring along fatheads as well, with nice-size perch coming from the same areas as the walleyes. Muskie action has improved, with a few measuring 36- to 48-inches taken last Sunday from the main lake structure.
Hackensack
Water temperatures have dropped down to 59-degrees on most area lakes, and cool temperatures have lead to increased walleye action. Woman Lake is giving up lots of fish at the breaks on the windy side of the lake, which has been a different side almost every day. Fish are being pulled from depths ranging from 14-22 feet. For the most fish, use a jig tipped with a fathead, golden shiner or redtail. Most of the other area lakes are giving up a few walleyes, with jig and minnow combinations also working well at the wind-blown breaks. And, muskie action has picked up on Baby Lake.
Battle Lake
The walleye bite continues to be best on Ottertail Lake, with fish hitting sucker minnows and crankbaits worked in 7-13 feet of water. The perch bite has been good for anglers using fatheads. On Battle Lake, crankbaits and crawlers are producing fish in 7-12 feet of water, and at times in depths of 16-20 feet. Also look for crappies in roughly 12 feet of water on Battle Lake. Muskie anglers report a few fish being taken while trolling with smaller crankbaits.
Pelican Rapids
On Lake Lida, walleyes are hitting leeches and crawlers on lindy rigs with a small gold spinner worked in 20-22 feet of water. Shore fishing on Lake Lida has also been good for a few walleyes, and has been a great option on windy days. Water temperatures are roughly 61 degrees. On Pelican Lake, lots of 12- to 15-inch walleyes are being taken. Muskie anglers are doing well on both Pelican and Detroit lakes. The rainbow trout bite at Maplewood State Park has been good, and the season will remain open until the end of October.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, the walleyes are hitting redtails. Northern pike are active at the weed edges.
Nisswa/Crosslake
On the Whitefish Chain, a few nice walleyes are coming in on lindy rigs tipped with redtail minnows worked in 15-22 feet of water along the weedlines. Northern pike and bass action has been good when using tandem spinnerbaits in the shallow weeds. Crappies can be found suspended in 20-30 feet of water. Anglers are also reporting good fishing on Gull, Pelican and North Long lakes when using lindy rigs and redtail chubs, or jig and minnow combinations.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, the perch bite has been excellent in the bays, with limits being taken on crappie minnows and fatheads worked in 9-14 feet of water. Walleyes are also moving into the shallows now that water temperatures have fallen into the mid- to lower 50's. During the day, hit the gravel and rocks in 19-plus foot depths. Just before dusk, pull rapalas through the 6-12 foot rocks.
Grey Eagle
Nice-size walleyes are being pulled from Cedar Lake, near Upsala, on fatheads under a slip bobber, and on jig and minnow combinations, from roughly 5pm until dark. A few walleyes are also coming from Big and Little Birch lakes on shiners and redtails, with Kings Lake near Freeport giving up fish as well. Mound and Moose lakes are giving up a few crappies. Sunnies are active on Big Swan Lake. The Mississippi River has been good for walleyes and bass.
St. Cloud
Local anglers are taking lots of sunfish on waxworms worked in 8-12 feet of water on Clearwater and Horseshoe lakes. Bass are active on Koronis and Clearwater lakes. Northern pike action has been good on Clearwater and Pearl lakes. Walleye anglers are taking a few fish from Koronis and Alexander lakes. On the Mississippi River, anglers are enjoying a lot of catch-and-release smallmouth bass action. Walleyes, crappies and catfish are also coming from the river.
====================
TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Anoka
The water temperature is dropping on area lakes, and lake turnover is almost complete. Walleye action is expected to heat up in the near future.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, walleyes are becoming more active. For the most fish, hit 30-40 foot depths using a jig and minnow off the bottom. Anglers are also taking a few walleyes from Lake Independence.
Chisago City
Panfish remain active on Chisago and North Center lakes. Bass action has also been good. A few walleyes are coming from the bars off Nelson Island in 8-12 feet of water.
Oakdale/East metro area waters
Lake Elmo is producing some nice fish. Bass are biting on most of the smaller area lakes. Recent heavy rains have lead to muddy and fast-flowing rivers.
=================
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, fish continue to move up towards the dam. Anglers are catching walleyes and sauger by casting hair jigs tipped with a minnow into the rip rap. Northern pike are hanging around the mouth of the Rush River. Crappies are active at Bay Point Park around the docks. For crappies, sunnies and bass, hit Maple Springs.
St. Peter
Lake Washington continues to produce walleyes. A few walleyes are also coming from the Minnesota River.
Waterville
Lake Tetonka continues to produce lots of nice-size crappies and sunnies in the lagoon area. For crappies, use a crappie minnow with a shrimpo and ice bobber. For sunnies, use waxworms with the same set-up. Limits of walleyes are also being reported.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
