Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, September 25
In general, summer-like temperatures have hindered fall walleye activity.
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Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, look for crappies at the mouth of the Rat Root River in Black Bay. Crappies can also be found scattered and suspended off the main-lake reefs. The east-end reefs are kicking out walleyes in 34-36 feet of water, with a jig and minnow working best. Northern pike are hitting minnows in the bays and on most reef tops.
Grand Rapids
A jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes in 14-24 feet of water on Wabana and Trout lakes, and in depths of 14 feet on Sand and Bowstring lakes. Crappie action is strong in 14-20 feet of water on Sand, Pokegama, and Jay Gould lakes. On Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux, sunnies and crappies are coming from depths of 20 feet. Sucker minnows continue to turn good-sized northern pike on Lake Pokegama in 20-25 feet of water.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, a jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes on the 8- to 12-foot weedlines, and on the reefs in depths of roughly 30 feet. This deep water has been best for sauger as well. Walleyes and northern pike are both coming in on crankbaits worked in 15 feet of water.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, the muskie bite has improved on the deep weedlines, with fish hitting topwater lures, BullDawgs, and small hair baits. Walleye action has also improved, with crankbaits and live bait rigs taking fish from depths of 14-22 feet. Some crappies are coming from the soft-bottomed channel areas.
Grand Marais
Walleyes are hitting crawlers in 15 feet of water on Devil Fish Lake, and in depths of 8 feet on Elbow Lake. Northern pike are taking spoons from 8-10 feet of water on Elbow Lake. On lakes Saganaga and Seagull, a jig and minnow is turning walleyes in depths of 30 feet. On Lake Superior, spoons worked close to shore are taking salmon 50 feet down, and lake trout from 75-100 feet down. Kimball, Esther, and Mink lakes are producing rainbow trout on crawlers.
Duluth
Look for steady walleye action when using minnows in 22 feet of water on Island Lake. Fish Lake is producing walleyes in depths of 14-16 feet on minnows, with crappies coming from 12 foot depths at the narrows. The muskie bite is strong on Island Lake. For the most fish, use buzzbaits or large minnows during evening hours. On Lake Superior, look for salmon near the river mouths. The kamloops will soon begin moving towards shore.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, a jig and minnow is producing limits of walleyes. Some of the better areas this week include the Lighthouse Gap to the Morris Point Gap, and all along the south shore in 18-24 feet of water. Although the Rainy River has been slow, minnows are starting to move into this area which should lead to more walleye action as soon as water temperatures cool.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, walleye action on the main lake has been slow, and the few fish that have been caught have been small. The Tamarack River is giving up a few larger walleyes in depths of 8 feet, mainly on jigs and minnows.
Blackduck
Crankbaits, and jig and minnow combinations, are turning walleyes in 11-14 feet of water on Blackduck, Gilstead, Pimushe, and Rabideau lakes.
Bemidji
Walleyes are hitting redtails worked in depths of 8-15 feet on lakes Bemidji and Plantagenet. Muskie action has been sporadic, with just a few follows reported on Lake Bemidji by anglers using topwater lures. Crappies are becoming more active on most area lakes. Bluegill reports have been minimal.
Cass Lake
Walleyes are starting to hit minnows and jigs in 18-20 feet of water on Cass Lake. North Cedar, East Cedar, and Deadman’s bars have been the best locations. For perch, hit the 6- to 8-foot sand areas of Cass Lake. The bays of Lake Andrusia are giving up crappies in depths of 12 feet. Bluegills are being pulled from the 8-foot weed pockets in Allen’s Bay on Cass Lake. Muskie reports are limited, but bucktails have taken a few fish just this week.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, a jig and minnow is producing walleyes in depths of 8-12 feet off the points, weedlines, and shoreline breaks. Some fish remain active on the bars in 14-16 feet of water. Some evening walleye action is being reported by anglers using crankbaits on the points in depths of 12 feet of water or less. For perch, hit depths of 9-12 feet off the rocks near Raven’s and Sugar points. Northern pike are hitting minnows and crankbaits worked along the weedlines.
Walker
On Leech Lake, a jig and minnow combination has worked well on any of the wind-driven points according to walleye anglers. Star Point, the Big and Little Hardwoods, Sugar Point, Otter Tail Point, and Battle Point have all produced fish in 6-12 feet of water. An evening bite is being reported by anglers using crankbaits off Sand Point. Jumbo perch are hitting at the 7-foot weeds in the narrows up to Star Point. Muskie anglers are raising a few fish off the weeds in Portage and Agency bays.
Hackensack
Redtails and sucker minnows are producing northern pike at the deep weedlines of Birch and Ten Mile lakes. A jig and minnow combination is triggering walleyes, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass on Ten Mile Lake in depths of 20-30 feet. On Birch Lake, walleyes are hitting fatheads in 18-24 feet of water.
Detroit Lakes
Work the weedlines using minnows on Sallie, Melissa, Island, and Big Detroit lakes for walleyes. The shallow weedlines of Sallie and Big Detroit lakes are giving up a few muskies on topwater lures. Northern pike are also being pulled from Sallie, Melissa, Island, and Big Detroit lakes on minnows. Crappies can be found suspended in the deep waters of most area lakes. Floyd, Severson, and Big Detroit lakes are producing sunfish in 12-16 feet of water.
Battle Lake
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 15-30 feet of water on Otter Tail, Rush, Clitherall, and West Battle lakes. Northern pike are hitting spoons or minnows at the weedlines of Clitherall, West Battle, and Otter Tail lakes. Sunfish action remains strong in depths of 6-10 feet on Dead, Blanche, Clitherall, and West Battle lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over 15-20 feet of water on West Battle and Clitherall lakes. Muskies have become very active on West Battle Lake. For the most fish, use sucker minnows in the shallow weeds.
Alexandria
Lakes Miltona and Ida are producing walleyes on jig and minnow combinations worked in 30-40 feet of water. At night, crankbaits are producing walleyes in shallower waters on these lakes. Redtails are turning walleyes on Lake Carlos in depths of 28-30 feet. The weedlines of Le Homme Dieu and Darling lakes are giving up walleyes during evening hours. Look for bass in the shallow weeds on most area lakes.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, work the points using a jig and minnow in 12-15 feet of water for walleyes. At night, try crankbaits along the bulrushes in less than 7 feet of water. Lake Reno is also producing a few walleyes at night, mainly on crankbaits worked in depths of 7-10 feet.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, limits of northern pike are being taken on crankbaits worked on the deep weedlines. For walleyes, try redtails in 12-18 feet of water at Center, Banana, and Two Mile bars. Sunfish are active in depths of 12-18 feet on the north end of the lake and at the main-lake bars. Look to Smith and Little Sauk lakes for panfish as well.
Sauk Centre
Sauk Lake is producing walleyes in 4-6 feet of water on shiner minnows. On McCormick Lake, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations worked in depths of 5-9 feet. The 12- to 14-foot weedline on Little Birch Lake has started to produce some walleyes. Sunfish are being pulled from 12 feet of water on Maple Lake. Long Bridge Lake is giving up crappies in depths of 10-12 feet.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleyes are hitting redtails worked in depths of 30-35 feet on Gull Lake. North Long and Pelican lakes are also producing walleyes, with minnows working best in 20-25 feet of water. Some large northern pike are being taken from 20 feet of water or more on minnows worked on Gull and North Long lakes. Bass are hitting crankbaits and spinnerbaits along the weedlines of most area lakes.
Cross Lake
Lindy rigs tipped with redtails or shiner minnows are triggering walleyes in 28-34 feet of water on Upper Whitefish and Pelican lakes. Bass are hitting plastic worms, lizards, and frogs on the weedlines and at the docks on most area lakes. For northern pike, work a spinner rig and minnow tight to the 14- foot weedlines. Crappies can be found suspended over depths of 16 feet near the weeds.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, on east side of the lake, the walleyes, muskies, and smallmouth bass action has been slow. It seems as though the perch have moved into the bays, and anglers are having to sort through lots of smaller fish to find some keepers. Anglers are having the most success when using minnows in 9-12 feet of water in Twin, Cove, and Isle bays. On the west end of the lake, a few walleyes are being pulled from deep water. Expect one or two fish a night off the mud flats. Muskie and northern pike action has also been low. For now, look for perch at the 12- to 14-foot rocks, with an occasional jumbo being taken.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Rice and Koronis lakes are producing walleyes along the shallow weed edges. Look for sunfish in 6-10 feet of water on Becker, Long, Cedar Island and Horseshoe lakes. Cedar Island and Horseshoe are also giving up crappies in depths of 12-17 feet. Northern pike action has picked up, with minnows turning fish along the weedlines of most lakes.
Twin Cities vicinity
Elk River/Zimmerman
Sunnies and crappies are being pulled from depths of 12-14 feet on Blue and Green lakes. Walleye action has been slow, but the Rum and Mississippi rivers continue to produce smallmouth bass. For the larger fish, use crankbaits or minnows.
Annandale
For walleyes, work the weedlines or 15- to 20-foot breaks using minnows on Cedar and Clearwater lakes. Northern pike and bass continue to hit along the weedlines of Clearwater, Cedar, Pleasant, and Sylvia lakes. A few muskies are being raised on topwater lures during evening hours on Sugar Lake. Look for sunfish in 8-12 feet of water on Clearwater, Sugar, Sylvia, and John lakes.
Prior Lake
Crappie action has heated up in 6-8 feet of water on Steiger and Hydes lakes. Look for sunfish in depths of 14-16 feet of water on Auburn and Minnewashta lakes. Northern pike are hitting minnows in depths of 6-8 feet on Pierson and Steiger lakes. Bass and walleye reports have been limited.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, muskie action has picked up along the shorelines in Wagner’s and Waconia bays. The north side of the island and the reeds are also holding fish. A few walleyes are hitting minnows worked in depths of 18-20 feet on the deep sides of the reefs during evening hours. Bass and sunfish remain active at the weedlines and reef edges.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, muskies have started hitting CowGirls and BullDawgs on the points of most large bays. The 18- to 24-foot weedlines of Brown’s and Wayzata bays are giving up bass and walleyes. Crappies can be found suspended at the 15-foot weed flats of Maxwell Bay and The North Arm. Look for a few muskies in 8 feet of water on Lake Independence.
Chisago City
The slop and coontail edges of Chisago, North Center, and South Center lakes are giving up lots of bass. Panfish are active in 12-14 feet of water off the A-Frame on Chisago Lake. The weedlines of Sunrise and Green lakes have been good for northern pike. Walleye anglers are doing well by trolling crankbaits on the 8- to 12-foot sand flats of Green and Chisago lakes, as well as on the west side of South Lindstrom Lake, with most fish taken during evening hours.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
Northern pike are hitting minnows and spinnerbaits at the shallow weeds of White Bear, Peltier, Forest, and Owasso lakes. Look for bass at the 10- to 12-foot weedlines of Demontreville and White Bear lakes. Muskie action has picked up on White Bear and Owasso, with topwater lures and crankbaits working best. The Bayport area of the St. Croix River has been good for crappies.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
Look for walleyes and sauger in 18-25 feet of water below the dam on the Mississippi River. The Maiden Rock Flats area of Lake Pepin is producing walleyes on crankbaits worked in depths of 8-17 feet. Some large catfish are hitting large sucker minnows throughout the river. The mouth of the Rush River remains good for northern pike. For panfish, work the docks at Baypoint Park.
Mankato
Sunfish action remains strong in 10-12 feet of water on Madison, Washington, and Francis lakes. Walleye and crappie reports are slow. Bass continue to be pulled from the Madison and Washington lake shorelines. The Minnesota River is giving up catfish on sucker minnows and creek chubs.
Ortonville
The perch bite has been strong on Big Stone Lake. One of the better locations has been Schmidt’s Landing to Windmill Reef in 12 feet of water. The bluegill bite has been good in depths of 12 feet around the islands. A few walleyes are being pulled from the shorelines of Big Stone during evening hours. Look for a few catfish below the dams on the Minnesota River.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
