Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, September 12
In general, walleye action continues to improve as temperatures drop.
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Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, crappie action remains strong at the mouth of the Rat Root River in Black Bay. Sand Bay is kicking out crappies and walleyes in 20-32 feet of water. The main-lake reefs are producing walleyes in depths of 34-38 feet, and fish are also being pulled from the dam and golf course areas on the Rainy River. The larger northern pike have started hitting at the weedlines of Lost and Cranberry bays.
Grand Rapids
Walleyes are being pulled from Pokegama and Big Cutfoot Sioux lakes on minnows fished in 20-25 feet of water. Rice and Little Splithand lakes are giving up crappies in depths of 8 feet, with fish being pulled from 20-25 feet of water on Big Cutfoot Sioux. Look for lots bass and northern pike in depths of 10-20 feet on Lake Pokegama. Bass action has been excellent on Deer Lake. Bluegill activity is picking up at the 8- to 10-foot weedlines on Jay Gould, Bass, and Little Splithand lakes, as well as on the Mississippi River.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, spinner rigs tipped with minnows are producing walleyes on the weedlines, with crankbaits also taking fish. Look to the deep points, saddles, reefs, and breaks for a few walleyes as well. Muskie action has slowed, but could quickly improve as water temperatures continue to drop.
Grand Marais
Spoons are producing numbers of coho and king salmon on Lake Superior, with fish found suspended at 50 feet of water close to shore. Walleyes are hitting minnows in depths of 25-30 feet on Saganaga, East Bearskin, and Brule lakes. Esther Lake has been good for splake and rainbow trout when using nightcrawlers. Look for suspended lake trout at roughly 40 feet of water on Trout Lake.
Duluth
Island Lake is producing walleyes on minnows worked in both 10-12 feet of water and depths of 30-32 feet. Walleyes are hitting chubs worked in 10 feet of water on Fish Lake. The Fish Lake narrows are worth checking out for crappies. Rice Lake is the area’s best bet for northern pike. Buzzbaits are raising muskies on the reefs of Island Lake. On the north shore of Lake Superior, cohos can be found suspended over 40-70 feet of water from the French River on to Two Harbors.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, anglers are taking limits of walleyes and sauger by fishing jigs or downrigging in 20-30 feet of water just outside the Lighthouse Gap. Anglers report good sturgeon action on the Rainy River when using crawlers. Hammered gold spinners and minnows are taking limits of walleyes from 10-18 feet of water at the Northwest Angle.
Blackduck
Blackduck Lake is producing walleyes on minnows worked in 8-10 feet of water. Look to Gull Lake for lots of sunfish. Rabideau Lake is giving up crappies and sunfish in depths of 8-12 feet.
Bemidji
On Lake Bemidji, work the north-end rocks using rapalas for walleyes. Lake Bemidji also continues to produce muskies on topwater lures during low-light periods. The Pimushe and Grace lake weedlines are kicking out sunnies and crappies.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleye anglers are taking fish by working the tops of Horseshoe, Big Muskie, Bena, and Snaghole bars using lindy rigs tipped with crawlers in 14-17 feet of water. A jig and minnow combination is also turning walleyes at the 8-foot weeds, as are shad raps worked off Mallard Point in depths of 8-12 feet. The larger northern pike are coming from the 10- to 12-foot shoreline breaks. For numbers of perch, hit 9-11 feet of water at Raven’s and Little Stony points.
Walker
On Leech Lake, minnows and crankbaits are producing walleyes in 10-16 feet of water near Sand Point, the Big and Little Hardwoods, and the Goose Flats. The Walker Bay humps and Walker Narrows are giving up both walleyes and perch on minnows. Muskie anglers are experiencing a spike in action when using bucktails and topwater lures at the rocks and weeds, especially during low-light hours. For bass, use topwater lures in the rice beds of Boy Bay.
Hackensack
Jigs and topwater lures are triggering smallmouth bass on Ten Mile and Portage lakes. Walleye action is improving, with anglers taking fish on redtails worked in 18-24 feet of water on Woman and Ten Mile lakes. Look for panfish in depths of 10-14 feet on Pleasant, Birch, and Ox Yoke lakes.
Park Rapids
Small sucker minnows are producing walleyes in 12-25 feet of water on Long Lake. Minnows are also working well when fished in depths of 12-20 feet on Potato and Fish Hook lakes. The Crow Wing Chain is kicking out panfish and northern pike in 12-14 feet of water. Big Mantrap Lake continues to produce muskies and northern pike.
Detroit Lakes
Walleyes are hitting minnows at the weedlines of lakes Sallie, Melissa, Big Detroit, and Island. Sunfish are coming from the deep cabbage on Floyd, Severson, Melissa, and Big Detroit lakes. Bulldawgs and Cowgirls continue to trigger muskies along the shallow weedlines of Sallie and Big Detroit lakes. Northern pike remain active at the weedlines of most lakes.
Battle Lake
During the day, area lakes are producing walleyes on minnows worked in 20 feet of water. At night, try crankbaits in 6-14 foot depths. Some of the better lakes this week include West Battle, Otter Tail, Clitherall, Eagle, Stalker, and East Battle. A good sunfish bite is being reported in 8-15 feet of water on Deer, Annie Battle, Dead, and Stewart lakes. The weedlines of Otter Tail, West Battle, and South Turtle lakes are giving up lots of northern pike. For a few muskies, hit West Battle Lake.
Alexandria
A jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes in 25-30 feet of water on Lake Milton, and in depths of 15-30 feet on Chippewa and Ida lakes. Bass action is very good at the deep weedlines of most area lakes. The muskie bite on Lobster Lake is improving. Look for consistent crappie action in 15-20 feet of water on lakes Geneva, Victoria, and Le Homme Dieu.
Starbuck
Walleyes are hitting jig and fathead minnow combinations worked on the 14- to 18-foot bars and points of Lake Minnewaska. Floating rapalas are expected to soon produce fish along the bulrushes in 6 feet of water at night. Walleyes continue to hit shallow-running shad raps on the north end of Lake Reno at night. Lake Minnewaska is producing sunfish in depths of 12-14 feet.
Sauk Centre
Minnows and crankbaits are turning walleyes on the south shore of McCormick Lake in 7 feet of water. An evening walleye bite is being reported by anglers fishing depths of 4-8 feet on Sauk Lake. Sunfish and crappies remain active in 10-14 feet of water on Maple and Long Bridge lakes.
Crosby
Crappies and bluegills are being pulled from 14-16 feet of water during the day, and from depths of 8-12 feet during low-light hours on Cedar, Black Hoof, Nokay, and Mahnomen lakes. Good-sized bluegills are coming from 21-24 feet of water on Rabbit Lake. The deep holes on the Mississippi River are producing walleyes and smallmouth bass. Rabbit and Serpent lakes are giving up walleyes during evening hours in depths of 18-22 feet. A good night bite is being reported on Pelican Lake by anglers using crankbaits in 6-8 feet of water. Jigs tipped with plastics or minnows are turning northern pike at the weed edges of Serpent and Clearwater lakes.
Cross Lake
Walleye action on the Whitefish Chain remains good, with anglers having success using redtails or leeches in 21-28 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting large minnows on spinners or under bobbers in depths of 22-24 feet. The weedlines of most area lakes are safe bets for bass. Panfish activity has improved in 16-18 feet of water.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, on the east end of the lake, walleyes are being taken from the 18- to 22-foot rocks during the day. The 8- to 12-foot rocks have been the most productive at night. While leeches continue to produce fish, crankbaits are starting to turn fish as well. Some good-sized perch are being pulled from the bays. On the west end of the lake, the best walleye action is taking place at night in 30-34 feet of water just off the mud flats at Curley’s, Seguchie’s, and Sherman’s points. The evening crankbait bite is heating up in the shallows. Smallmouth bass remain active on the rocks.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Sunfish action remains strong in 4-12 feet of water on Rice, Pearl, Cedar Island, Koronis, and Horseshoe lakes. Look for a few crappies in depths of 12 feet on Horseshoe Lake. The weedlines of lakes Koronis, Rice, and Horseshoe are also giving up walleyes to anglers using minnows. The 8- to 16-foot weedlines of Koronis and Rice lakes are holding good numbers of northern pike.
Twin Cities vicinity
Elk River/Zimmerman
Good numbers of sunfish are coming off Blue, Elk, and Green lakes in 12-14 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are hitting crawlers and crankbaits on the Rum and Mississippi rivers. Work the weedlines of area lakes using crankbaits for largemouth bass and northern pike.
Annandale
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 10-20 feet of water on Clearwater and Cedar lakes. There has also been some evening crankbait action in 4-8 foot depths on Clearwater and Sylvia lakes. Look for sunfish in 10-12 feet of water on Cedar, Clearwater, and Sylvia lakes. The 12- to 18-foot weedlines of Clearwater are holding crappies. Spinnerbaits are turning numbers of bass and northern pike on Clearwater and Pleasant lakes. Sugar Lake continues to produce muskies.
Prior Lake
Try trolling or drifting sucker minnows at the 10- to 12-foot weedlines of Auburn and Pierson lakes for northern pike. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and plastics on lakes Auburn and Whaletail. Hydes Lake is giving up the majority of sunfish, most have been small.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, look for sunfish in 14-16 feet of water at the Cemetery, Kegg’s and Red’s reefs. Work these reef edges using crankbaits or jig and minnow combinations during low-light hours for walleyes. The deep weeds continue to hold the largest bass, most of which are hitting plastics and crankbaits. Muskie action is improving, with anglers taking fish on bucktails and topwater lures worked on the reefs.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, Brown’s and Wayzata bays are producing walleyes on leeches and minnows worked in 18-23 feet of water. Lake Independence is kicking out a few walleyes on minnows fished in depths of 12-18 feet. Muskie action has been sporadic, with a few fish being taken during low-light hours on bucktails and topwater lures. Wacky-rigged worms are producing bass in the thick milfoil of most area lakes.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
Walleyes are hitting minnows worked in 15-20 feet of water on the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. Work the weedlines of Jane and Demontreville lakes, and the deeper holes on the St. Croix River, for a few crappies. The east side of White Bear Lake continues to offer steady muskie action, with jerk lures and Cowgirls working best. Lakes such as Demontreville, Olson, and Jane have been good for bass.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, anglers are taking walleyes on shad raps worked at the Head of the Lakes and Maiden Rock Flat areas of Lake Pepin. The docks in and around Baypoint Park and the Bay City Landing continue to produce panfish. Sucker minnows are triggering catfish below the dam on the Mississippi River in 18-35 feet of water. The rocks around Maple Springs at Lake Pepin are giving up lots of smallmouth bass.
Waterville
Best Point on Lake Tetonka is producing walleyes and crappies in 12 feet of water. Small jigs and minnows have been best for the larger fish. The swimming beach area on Lake Tetonka has also been good for some nice-sized sunfish.
Mankato
Anglers pitching jig and minnow combinations onto the shoreline breaks of Lake Hanska are taking walleyes. Madison Lake is giving up crappies and a few walleyes in 8-15 feet of water. On Lake Washington, sunfish are being pulled from 8-10 feet of water, and crappies are coming from depths of 8-15 feet. Work the weedlines of German and Francis lakes using minnows for northern pike.
Fairmont
Walleyes are starting to respond to minnows, with a few fish coming from 15 feet of water on Hall Lake. Catfish are hitting crawlers in the shallows of lakes George, Fox, Budd, and Hall. Bucktails have been best for muskies on Fox Lake. A mixed bag of panfish is coming from depths of 8-10 feet on Sissiton, Budd, and Hall lakes.
Ortonville
On Big Stone Lake, jumbo perch continue to be found in 12 feet of water from Schmidt’s Landing to Hartford Beach. The Manhattan Reef area is producing bluegills in depths of 10 feet. Anglers fishing from shore near the “pump house” are taking perch. Catfish action remains strong at the Highway 75 and Marsh Lake dams on the Minnesota River.
Willmar
Walleyes continue to hit minnows and crawlers in 20-30 feet of water on Green Lake, with fish also being pulled from depths of 10-20 feet on Eagle Lake. The 10-foot weedlines of lakes Andrew, North Long, Nest, Diamond, and Eagle are producing panfish. Bass action remains strong, with spinnerbaits and crankbaits working best on most area lakes.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
