Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, July 25
Muskies anglers report that more fish are being netted.
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Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, the main lake reefs off Blueberry and Steamboat islands are producing walleyes in 36-42 feet of water. Saginaw Bay and the Tempton Channel area are kicking out walleyes in shallower waters. Crawlers, leeches, and minnows have all worked well. Work the upper Rainy River area using minnows for numbers of walleyes. Black Bay continues to give up crappies. For northern pike, hit Lost Bay.
Grand Rapids
Crappies remain active at the weedlines of Jay Gould, Pokegama, Little Splithand, and Wabana lakes. Look for sunfish at the deep weedlines of Bass and North Star lakes. Bucktails have produced several muskies on North Star, Moose, and Deer lakes. Walleyes are hitting leeches worked in 12-25 feet of water on Trout Lake, with spinners and crawlers taking fish from depths of 18-24 feet on Lake Pokegama. Lakes Pokegama, Wabana, and Spider have been good for bass. The deepweeds of Swan and Shallow lakes are holding northern pike.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, spinner rigs and leeches, as well as leeches under slip bobbers have worked well in 17-24 feet of water for numbers of walleyes. The weedy areas are now out-producing the rocks according to muskie anglers, especially when using slow-moving baits. Mepps spinners, spoons, and white spinnerbaits are producing northern pike in the weeds. Bass remain active at the docks.
Ely
Look for the larger walleyes to be hitting spinner rigs on the sharp breaks and weedlines of Shagawa and Burntside lakes. The sunken islands and off-shore reefs of most area lakes are producing smallmouth bass. Northern pike continue to hit spoons and minnows at the weedlines of area lakes.
Grand Marais
Walleye action has slowed, with only a fish fish now being taken during evening hours. Smallmouth bass, however, remain very active on most area lakes. The perch bite has improved in 15-20 feet of water on Homer, Devil’s Track, Elbow, and Two Island lakes. For northern pike, try trolling spoons on Northern Lights Lake. Coho salmon are coming from the surface on Lake Superior, especially from Grand Marais to Five Mile Rock.
Duluth
Shiner minnows are turning walleyes in 20-25 feet of water on Island Lake. On Fish Lake, walleyes are coming from depths of 12-14 feet, with bluegills being pulled from 10-12 feet of water. Anglers are taking northern pike and an occasional walleye from depths of 6 feet on Rice Lake. The south shore of Lake Superior is giving up walleyes to anglers using stickbaits and spoons in 15-20 feet of water. Salmon and a few lake trout are being taken from the north shore, from the Knife River to Two Harbors.
McGregor
Tube jigs and minnows pitched under the floating docks on Big Sandy and Minnewawa lakes have produced crappies. The weedlines of Big Sandy are giving up an occasional walleye and northern pike. Look for sunfish and bass tight to the weeds on Lake Minnewawa.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, along the south shore, walleyes are hitting outside the Lighthouse Gap all the way to Zippel Bay. The best approach has been a spinner rig or jig worked in 16-24 feet of water. At the Northwest Angle & Islands area, jigs continue to produce limits of walleyes and northern pike around Oak and Flag islands.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, gold spinners and live bait are producing walleyes on the off-shore rock piles. A few crappies continue to be mixed in with the walleyes — for the most fish, cover lots of water. Crankbaits have started triggering the larger northern pike in 6-8 feet of water. Once again, it is important to cover a large area of water.
Blackduck
The Blackduck Lake weedlines are giving up good-sized perch and an occasional walleye. North Twin, South Twin, Pimushe, and Rabideau lakes are producing walleyes, panfish, and bass on live bait worked in 14-20 feet of water.
Bemidji
On Lake Bemidji, walleye activity has slowed, with most fish now being taken during evening hours and after dark. The best approach has been a crankbait worked in 14-16 feet of water. Lake Plantagenet is giving up larger perch in depths of 15-20 feet. Crappies have moved into deeper waters, and can be found suspended on Big Bass and Julia lakes. Look for northern pike and bass at the weedlines of Grace and Big Turtle lakes.
Cass Lake
Shad raps have started producing walleyes at night at the Cass Lake bars. The 12- to 15-foot breaklines of Cass and Pike Bay lakes are giving up walleyes on leeches. The best perch reports are coming from the shallow sand and weed areas of Cass Lake. Big Rice and Kitchi lakes have been good for lots of bluegills. Northern pike are hitting spinner rigs and minnows on Big Wolf Lake.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, short lindy rigs with minnows are started producing good-sized perch in 18-25 feet of water at Moses, Sugar, and Snaghole bars. Perch can also be found on the 15-foot rocks at Raven’s Point. Walleyes are hitting leeches and crawlers worked in depths of 18-22 feet at Moxies Hole, Moses Bar, the humps, and Sugar Bar.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleyes are coming from 20 feet of water at the bars and shoreline breaks. Bottom bouncers and crawlers, lindy rigs and leeches, and jig and minnow combinations have all worked well. Anglers are reporting some evening walleye action when trolling shad raps or minnow raps through depths of 8-12 feet. Bass fishing has been excellent in most of the weedy bays. Muskies continue to follow bait, however few are biting.
Hackensack
Walleyes are hitting leeches, crawlers, and crankbaits trolled on Ten Mile Lake during low-light hours. Look for crappies and sunnies on the 8- to 12-foot cabbage beds on Birch and Pleasant lakes. Bass action remains strong when using plastics on the weed breaks of most lakes. The smaller area lakes, such as Baby, Little Boy, and Wabedo, are producing muskies on white, and black, bucktails.
Park Rapids
Bluegills remain active in 8-10 feet of water on the Crow Wing Chain and Upper Twin Lake. Walleyes are being taken from depths of 20-25 feet on Fish Hook Lake on leeches and crawlers. The weedlines of Big Mantrap and Fish Hook lakes have been good for northern pike. Bass action remains excellent throughout the area.
Detroit Lakes
Walleyes are hitting slip bobbers and leeches pitched onto the 12- to 20-foot weedlines of Big Detroit, Melissa, and Sallie lakes. The 12- to 14-foot cabbage areas of Big Detroit, Floyd, and Sour lakes are holding sunfish. Northern pike are roaming the weed edges of most lakes. Muskie action has improved according to anglers using small Cow Girls on the humps and at the weedlines of Big Detroit and Pelican lakes.
Battle Lake
Lindy rigs and leeches are producing walleyes in 18-25 feet of water on West Battle, Johnson, Stalker, and Otter Tail lakes. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in the weeds on Clitherall, West Battle, and Otter Tail lakes. Sunfish can be found suspended over 18-20 feet of water on West Battle, Stalker, and Clitherall lakes. Hit the deep weedlines using plastics on Ten Mile, Clitherall, and Stalker lakes for numbers of bass. Crappies are suspended over 15-20 feet of water on West Battle and Stalker lakes.
Alexandria
Work the deep weed edges of lakes Miltona and Ida for walleyes during evening hours. Spinner rigs and leeches continue to turn walleyes in 14-20 feet of water on lakes Reno and Mary. The 10- to 16-foot weedlines of lakes Darling, Carlos, Geneva, and Le Homme Dieu are holding crappies. Bass are hitting crankbaits and plastics at the deep weeds and flats of most lakes.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, northern pike and bass remain active along the 12- to 14-foot weedlines, with spoons, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and live bait all working well. Look for walleyes in 18-24 feet of water during lowlight hours at Four Mile Bar, Banana Bar, the north end sunken island, and Center Bar. Panfish reports have been limited.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, walleyes are hitting leeches under bobbers in 5-20 feet of water during low-light hours, especially at the bar in front of the high school. Lake Minnewaska is giving up sunfish in depths of 10-12 feet, as well as good numbers of bass and northern pike. The creek mouths and cool water areas have also been good for lots of northern pike.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Look for some evening walleye action in 20-30 feet of water on Gull, North Long, Pelican, and Round lakes. Live bait rigs tipped with leeches, crawlers, or minnows are working best. Crappies can be found suspended along the established weed edges. Sunfish are coming from the smaller area lakes in depths of 12-16 feet. Bass and northern pike have been active at the deep weedlines.
Crosby
Limits of trout are being taken by shore anglers from Manuel Pit, and by boat anglers fishing Huntington Pit and the Pennington Chain. Some large northern pike have been taken from the Sagamore Pit. Smallmouth bass action has been excellent at Alstead. The weed flats of Adney and Bay lakes continue to produce northern pike. Bass remain active in the weeds of Horseshoe, Serpent, and Clearwater lakes. Panfish are very active during evening hours in 12-15 feet of water on Mahnomen, Black Hoof, Cedar, Clearwater, and Bass lakes. A few walleyes are being taken from depths of 20-24 feet during low-light hours on Serpent, Rabbit, and Pelican lakes.
Crosslake
The points throughout the Whitefish Chain are providing steady walleye action during low-light hours. Lindy rigs tipped with redtails and crawlers have worked best. Anglers also report a crankbait bite at night. Sucker minnows under a bobber have been best for northern pike action along most weedlines. For bass, pitch plastics from the docks and at the weedlines. Crappies can be found suspended near the 12- to 16-foot weed edges.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, the east end of the lake is giving up walleyes on crankbaits and live bait rigs worked on the 22- to 32-foot gravel and mud areas during the day. Slip bobbers and leeches are working best during evening hours on the 14- to 22-foot rocks. Muskie action has improved on the weedlines and shallow breaks when using bucktails and topwater lures. Look for smallmouth bass on the rocks and under boat lifts. On the west end of the lake, lindy rigs and leeches, and spinner rigs tipped with crawlers are providing daytime walleye action in the 26- to 32-foot mud areas. At night, slip bobbers and leeches are working best on the shallow rocks, and off the flats in 30-plus feet of water. Look for smallmouth bass on the rock points. Most weedlines in the bays are now holding northern pike and a few muskies.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Walleyes are hitting leeches and crawlers in 20-30 feet of water on Lake Koronis. A weedline bite is being reported on Koronis, Rice, and Horseshoe lakes. Sunfish are active in depths of 4-10 feet on Cedar Island, Long, Pearl, and Horseshoe lakes. Hit the Sauk River using nightcrawlers for catfish. Bass have moved to the deep weedlines of most area lakes.
Twin Cities vicinity
Zimmerman/Elk River
Northern pike are hitting crankbaits and minnows pulled along the weedlines of Blue and Elk lakes. Largemouth bass are hitting plastics in the weed pockets of Blue and Green lakes. The Rum and Mississippi rivers continue to produce smallmouth bass, and the deeper holes of the Mississippi are holding catfish.
Annandale
Work the deep weedlines of Clearwater Lake for walleyes, sunfish, northern pike, and bass. Sunfish action is strong in 8-12 feet of water on Sugar, Augusta, Sylvia, and John lakes. Cedar and Pleasant lakes are producing northern pike. Bass remain an easy catch on all area lakes.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Work the 12- to 14-foot weedlines of Pierson, Whaletail, Zumbra, and Auburn lakes for bass. Spoons are turning northern pike on Auburn and Minnewashta lakes. The Minnesota River is producing flathead catfish and lots of channel catfish. Crappies are hitting beetle spins during evening hours on Lake Minnewashta.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, sunfish are active off North and Kegg’s reefs in 18-20 feet of water. Look for bass in the shallow and deep weeds off Anderson’s Reef and in Reinkie’s Bay, with spinnerbaits working best. The backside of the island is giving up a few good-sized northern pike. Muskies continue to follow bucktails. Crappies can be found suspended over 20 feet of water between Kegg’s and Red’s reefs.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, sunfish and bass are being pulled from the inside and outside weedlines. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are turning northern pike on top of the weed flats in 15 feet of water. A few walleyes are coming in on leeches worked over 20 foot depths in the big bays during evening hours. Some small walleyes continue to be taken from depths of 20 feet on Independence and Medicine lakes.
Chisago City
Work the deeper weed pockets of Sunrise Lake for northern pike and bass. A short spurt of walleye activity is being reported during evening hours on the weedlines of South Lindstrom Lake. Crappies can be found suspended on most area lakes. Sunfish are active in 10-12 feet of water on Kroon, North Center, and South Lindtsrom lakes.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
Bucktails and crankbaits are triggering muskies on the weedlines of Bald Eagle, White Bear, and Forest lakes. Small walleyes are hitting leeches on Bald Eagle Lake. White Bear Lake remains best for good-sized sunfish in 10-14 feet of water. Bass are an easy catch when using plastics on Olson, Jane, and Demontreville lakes. The Prescott area of the St. Croix River has been good for walleyes in 20-22 feet of water. For northern pike, hit the weedlines on any area lake using sucker minnows.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
On the Mississsippi River, walleye action has picked up around the Maiden Rock Flats in 12-15 feet of water. Leadcore and #5 rapalas have been best for the majority of fish. The rip-rap areas around Lake City have started to produce crappies, while sucker minnows are turning flathead catfish below the dam on the Mississippi River. Look for northern pike in front of the Rush River and Pine Creek tributaries.
Faribault
Crappies can be found suspended on Roberds and Mazaska lakes over 20 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on the weedlines of Kelley Dudley Lake, with fish also being taken on crankbaits worked on the sharp breaks of Shields Lake. For muskies, pitch surface baits and bucktails near the docks on French Lake. Cedar Lake remains the area’s best bet for largemouth bass.
Waterville
Northern pike continue to hit minnows and spoon plugs in 8 feet of water on Sakatah and Tetonka lakes. The mouth of the lagoon on Tetonka Lake is giving up crappies in depths of 8-10 feet. Look to Roemhildt Lake for walleyes and crappies during evening hours.
Mankato
Anglers are taking walleyes by throwing rapala X-raps in 14 feet of water around Grassy Island and Baker’s Bay on Lake Washington, with some fish also coming from the narrows of Madison Lake. A jig and minnow combination, and spinners tipped with crawlers have produced walleyes on the south end of Lake Hanska. Look for sunfish in depths of less than 10 feet on Lake Francis. Northern pike are cruising the weed edges, and hitting minnows on Little Jefferson Lake.
Fairmont
Nightcrawlers continue to produce catfish on Hall and Amber lakes. Crappies are active in 8 feet of water on George, Budd, and Hall lakes. The docks of George Lake have been good for bluegills.
Ortonville
Walleyes are hitting spinners and crawlers in 13-15 feet of water on the east side of Lake Oliver. For perch, work the Grapevine area of Big Stone Lake in depths of 12 feet. The rock piles of Lake Traverse are holding bluegills, with some evening walleye action also being reported by anglers using crankbaits. Nightcrawlers continue to produce catfish on the Minnesota River.
Willmar
During the day, walleye anglers are taking fish using live bait in 30-40 feet of water on Green Lake. At night, try crankbaits on the shallower flats. Diamond, Long, and Andrew lakes have also produced walleyes, although the bite has been less consistent. Sunfish and a few crappies are being pulled from the 10- to 12-foot weedlines on Andrew, Nest, Florida, Norway, Eagle, and Games lakes. A few large northern pike were recently pulled from the shallow prairie lakes. Bass remain active on the weedlines and bars of most area waters.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
