Minnesota Fishing Report, for 10/17/07
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Kabetogama, where Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan are giving up excellent numbers of walleyes.
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
The crappies are biting on Fish Lake. The walleyes continue to bite on Fish, Boulder and Island lakes. For the most fish, start at the weed edges and work your way out to 30 feet of water. On Lake Superior, the salmon and loopers are starting to bite from the Lester River up to the Gooseberry Falls area. Anglers are catching some nice-size muskies in the St. Louis River.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, fall fishing has been the best it's been in years! Walleye anglers are consistently taking fish on minnows worked in 35-40 foot depths. Late morning hours have been best, especially when using a jig and minnow combination. Slip sinker rigs are also producing fish. The shallow walleye bite remains slow. Northern pike action has been fair, with anglers taking some fish on live bait rigs.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleye fishing has been good around Sand Bay and the American Narrows when using jigs and minnows in 25-35 feet of water. Crappies have also been active in Sand Bay. Some good reports are coming from Saginaw Bay and from some of the south shore islands on the east end of the lake. On the Rainy River, walleye anglers are doing well at the mouth of the Littlefork River and Manitou Rapids.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, most anglers have been fishing the bay and up the Rainy River, where limits of 17- to 19-inch walleyes are being taken. The Clementson and Birchdale areas are giving up lots of walleyes to anglers using gold or white glow jigs in 9-12 feet of water. And, don't be surprised if you hook a sturgeon, since these fish have been extremely active this fall. In fact, there have been reports of catching and releasing over 20 sturgeon in a single day! The shiners are still running, and are all fairly large. Due to the recent rains and the opening of the dams the current in the river is stronger then usual--use jigs that are 3/8-ounce or heavier when fishing on the Rainy River. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, the reefs around Oak and Flag islands are producing some nice fish. The Angle area is known for its great muskie action, and anglers have not been disappointed. Several 50-plus inch fish were recently taken while trolling.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, the water clarity is improving. When the wind subsides, walleye action has been very good.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations in 10-12 foot depths. Panfish are active on Rabideau and Gilstad lakes.
Bemidji
Lakes Bemidji and Plantagenet have been good for walleye action along the shoreline structure, and in roughly 10 feet of water. For the most fish, use a jig tipped with a shiner or redtail.
Walker
On Leech Lake, Stony and Pine points are giving up quite a few walleyes. One angler recently took a 46-inch muskie on 6-pound test line and a glow jig while fishing for walleyes. Bass have been very active behind Bear Island. Walker Bay and Sand Point have been good for lots of perch and walleyes. For the most walleyes, use a jig tipped with a redtail.
Hackensack
Walleye fishing has been good on Woman and Pine Mountain lakes. Panfish have been active on Birch Lake, with a few crappies coming in.
Pelican Rapids
Muskie anglers are doing well on many area lakes. The walleyes are biting on Lake Lida. Shore anglers report lots of action at night.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, the walleyes are hitting redtails. The northerns are active along the weed edges.
Crosslake
Walleye action has been good on Gull and Cross lakes, as well as the Whitefish Chain. The majority of fish are being pulled from roughly 25 feet of water on lindy rigs, as well as jig and shiner combinations. On Gull and Pelican lakes, anglers are doing well by trolling redtails and rapalas. Lots of bass and northern pike are coming from the outside weedlines.
Crosby
Walleye action has been good throughout the area. Pelican Lake is giving up lots of fish on redtails worked in the deeper waters. Trout can be found near the surface of area trout lakes. During early morning hours, use a rapala--during the day, switch to jigging spoons tipped with a waxworm or powerbait.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, perch action remains strong along the shorelines.
Grey Eagle
Walleye action has improved on Big and Little Birch lakes, with jigs tipped with a fathead, redtail or shiner minnow producing fish in the deeper waters. A few fish are also coming out of Swan Lake. McCormick Lake, near Sauk Center, can also be counted on for a few walleyes. For some nice-size crappies and sunnies, check out Swan and Big Sauk lakes.
St. Cloud
While few anglers are fishing the Mississippi River, those that do are catching some nice crappies and walleyes. The most active fish have been found in 10-20 feet of water when using fatheads. Sunfish are active in 8-12 feet of water on Clearwater Lake and the Horseshoe Chain, with waxworms producing the most fish. For northern pike, hit Clearwater Lake using sucker minnows.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Anoka
Fishing has been excellent. Anglers fishing the Rum and Mississippi rivers report incredible smallmouth bass action. For the most fish, use live bait. If live bait becomes difficult to find, switch to artificials, and Texas-rig your tubes or favorite plastics. Expect this coming weekend to be one of the best for fishing all year.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the walleyes are biting in 18 feet of water. The best approach has been either a jig and fathead combination, or live bait rigging with shiners. A few crappies are also coming in on jig and minnow combinations, especially in the channels. And, muskies have been very active on various city lakes, with most of the fish coming in on sucker minnows.
Chisago City
Panfish remain active on Chisago and Lindstrom lakes. Walleyes are biting at the weedlines in 8-12 feet of water. Nelson Island on North Center Lake, and just off Needle Point on South Center Lake have been good locations. The water temperature has dropped to roughly 50-degrees, and walleyes are becoming more active. Crappie action is also improving.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, panfish are still biting at Baypoint Park. The walleyes are moving in near the dam, and are hitting hair jigs tipped with minnows at the rip-rap.
St. Peter
The walleye bite remains fair on Lake Washington. A few walleyes are being pulled from the Minnesota River.
Waterville
Some nice-size sunnies and crappies are coming from 10-12 feet of water on Lake Tetonka, especially near the inlet of the Cannon River, which is located on the west end of the lake. For the most fish, use a crappie minnow or waxworm. Walleyes can be found using leeches and fatheads near the rock piles. Northern pike are hitting live bait, such as chubs and suckers.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
