Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, October 10
In general, walleye action remains good.
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Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, anglers using jig and minnow combinations and a vertical presentation are taking walleyes from the 32-to 38-foot reefs. Walleyes and crappies are coming from 34-38 feet of water at Sand Bay and the American Narrows. Look for crappies in the shallows of Black Bay.
Grand Rapids
Crappie action has been strong on Splithand and Pokegama lakes in 20 feet of water, and on Jay Gould Lake in depths of 10-15 feet. Look for crappies and sunnies in 18-22 feet of water on Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux. Walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations worked in 9 feet of water on Bowstring Lake, with fish also being pulled from depths of 14-18 feet on Trout Lake, 12-15 feet of water on Sugar and Pokegama lakes, and from depths of 12 feet on Big Cutfoot Sioux.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, anglers are hooking walleyes when using minnows in 25-35 feet of water along the wind-driven shorelines. Sucker minnows are triggering northern pike over depths of 15-25 feet in Daily, Nebraska, and Lost bays. A few crappies are being taken, however the bite has not been consistent.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, the larger minnows are attracting the larger walleyes, with fish coming from the shallow weed edges out to deeper waters. The weeds and weed edges are giving up muskies, with a variety of presentations working throughout the day.
Grand Marais
Walleyes are hitting minnows worked in 20-25 feet of water on Crescent Lake. Fish are also coming from depths of 35 feet on Homer Lake, 35-40 feet of water on Saganaga Lake, and from depths of 15 feet on Devil’s Track Lake. Rainbow trout are hitting crawlers in 40 feet of water on Trout Lake, and in depths of 12 feet on Kimball Lake.
Duluth
The Highbanks area of Fish Lake is producing crappies in 10 feet of water. A jig and chub combination is turning walleyes in depths of 8-10 feet on Boulder Lake. Look for northern pike on Rice Lake in 4 feet of water. Large minnows worked on the reefs of Island Lake remain best for muskies.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, walleyes and northern pike are hitting minnows in 19-25 feet at the Lighthouse Gap. Shiner minnows continue to move into the Rainy River, and walleye action is improving. The best reports are coming from jig and minnow anglers fishing 17-19 feet of water. At the Northwest Angle, a gold jig and chub is providing numbers of walleyes, perch, and crappies around Oak Island. Muskie activity has also increased at the Angle.
Bemidji
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 17-20 feet of water on Bemidji, Cass, Andrusia, and Plantagenet lakes. A few muskies are hitting bucktails at night in the shallows on Bemidji and Plantagenet lakes.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleyes are coming from the north-end shoreline breaks in 6-8 feet of water. Little Stoney Point is producing walleyes in depths of 7-9 feet, with fish also being pulled from 6-10 feet of water at Raven’s and Mallard points. A jig and minnow combination is now your best option.
Walker
On Leech Lake, good-sized perch are coming from “the trench” in Steamboat Bay, at Bear Island, and from the Walker Narrows. The best approach has been a jig and minnow combination worked in 12-14 feet of water near Star Island, the Little Hardwoods, Big Hardwoods, and First Duck Point. An evening walleye bite is being reported by anglers using shad raps on the West Goose Flats.
Park Rapids
Walleyes continue to hit minnows worked in 24 feet of water on Fish Hook, Upper Bottle, and Lower Bottle lakes. Northern pike are hitting minnows in depths of 10 feet on the Crow Wing Chain. For bluegills, hit 8 feet of water on Fish Hook and the Crow Wing Chain.
Battle Lake
Walleye action is going strong on Rush, Walker, East Battle, Blanche, Otter Tail, and West Battle lakes. During the day, look for fish in 17-22 feet of water, and at night, check depths of 6-11 feet. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Clitherall, Long, and West Battle lakes. Consistent bass action is being reported on Stalker, Fish, and West Battle lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over 17-23 feet of water on West Battle and Clitherall lakes. Sunfish are active on Deer, Clitherall, Blanche, Rush, and Stalker lakes in depths of 6-10 feet. Sucker minnows and bobbers are working best for muskies near the docks on West Battle Lake.
Alexandria
Walleyes are being taken from 40-60 feet of water on Ida and Miltona lakes. The weedlines throughout the Le Homme Dieu Chain are also producing walleyes on minnows. Crappies and sunnies are active in depths of 10-12 feet on lakes Darling, Geneva, and Carlos. An occasional muskie is being taken on cowgirls worked on Lobster and Miltona lakes. Bass are an easy catch on most lakes along the mid-depth weedlines.
Starbuck
Walleyes are hitting minnows during the day in 20-25 foot depths on Lake Minnewaska. The evening crankbait bite remains slow on Minnewaska, with a few fish being taken at night in depths of 7-10 feet on Lake Reno.
Emily/Outing
Minnows and spinnerbaits are producing northern pike in 6-12 feet of water on Kego and Blue lakes. An evening walleye bite is being reported by anglers using a jig and minnow at the 12- to 15-foot humps of West Fox Lake. Crappies can be found suspended over 20 feet of water on Eagle Lake.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleyes are hitting redtails and rainbow minnows in 20-35 feet of water on Gull and North Long lakes. Crappies can be found suspended on the 10- to 15-foot weedlines of most of the smaller area lakes. Northern pike continue to hit sucker minnows on the remaining weed edges. Bass are taking crankbaits and spinnerbaits from depths of 10-12 feet on most lakes.
Cross Lake
Walleyes continue to bite, but at a slower pace. The best bet is a lindy rig and redtail worked in 28-34 feet of water on Pelican, Upper Whitefish, and Middle Whitefish lakes. Spinner rigs and small sucker minnows are triggering northern pike in 24-28 feet of water on the Whitefish Chain. Most area lakes and rivers are producing smallmouth bass on shallow-running crankbaits. Crappies and sunnies can be found suspended at the 14-foot weedlines.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, on the east end of the lake, a jig and minnow combination is producing perch in Isle and Wahkon bays in depths of 9-14 feet. Some evening walleye action is being reported by anglers using shallow-running crankbaits on the 3- to 5-foot rocks. On the west end of the lake, a few walleyes are being pulled from the mud flats and shoreline breaks at night. A decent perch bite is taking place off the rock points in depths of 9-12 feet on minnows. Northern pike action remains strong in St. Alban’s Bay, with minnows working best in 10-12 feet of water.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Sunnies and crappies are active in 6-10 feet of water on Becker, Browns, Eden, Cedar Island, and Koronis lakes. Walleyes are hitting minnows from the shorelines out to 14 feet of water on Koronis and Rice lakes.
Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
Walleyes are hitting minnows and crawlers in depths of 12-20 feet on Granite, Cedar, Sugar, and Clearwater lakes. Northern pike are active on the weedlines of Cedar and Clearwater lakes.
Prior Lake
Crappies are being pulled from 10 feet of water to the left of the access on Hydes Lake. Christmas Lake is giving up three-to-a-pound sunfish in depths of 12-14 feet. For northern pike, try minnows and spoons in 6-10 feet of water on Pierson and Auburn lakes. Catfish remain active on the Minnesota River, however the fish have been small.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, crankbaits and jig and minnow combinations are producing a few walleyes at Kegg’s Reef and on the north side of the island. The best muskie action is taking place along the shorelines on the northwest corner, with topwater lures taking the most fish. Bass and panfish continue to be found at the mid-depth weed edges.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, walleyes are coming from the 8- to 15-foot weedlines during the day. At night, try crankbaits in the channels. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are triggering northern pike on top of the 10- to 12-foot weeds. For bass, pitch large jigs into the weed pockets. Sunfish are being pulled from less than 10 feet of water.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
The Mississippi River is giving up walleyes and catfish on minnows. Muskie action remains strong, with anglers taking fish on sucker minnows and quick-strike rigs worked on the weedlines of White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. Northern pike and bass remain active at the remaining weed edges of Jane, Silver, Big Marine, and Demontreville lakes.
Southern Minnesota
Willmar
Walleyes are hitting minnows and crawlers in 20-30 feet of water on Green Lake. Eagle Lake is producing sunfish and walleyes in depths of 10-20 feet. Diamond Lake is giving up panfish and walleyes in 15 feet of water or less. A few walleyes are being pulled from the shallows on Big Kandiyohi Lake. On Willmar Lake, anglers fishing from shore near the culverts are hooking panfish during the day, and a few walleyes at night.
Ortonville
The Highway 75 Dam on the Minnesota River is producing walleyes and crappies. On Big Stone Lake, anglers using a jig and minnow combination are taking a few walleyes from along the shorelines near Schmidt’s Landing.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
