Minnesota Fishing Report October 30
In general, windy days and cold temperatures limited fishing pressure last weekend and earlier this week.
Please note that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in the process of removing some docks at public water accesses. Anyone planning to use a public water access this fall should contact the DNR Trails and Waterways office nearest the access–check out the “Office Locater” on the DNR web site to find the office closest to you.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR license sales
Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
The most consistent walleye action is taking place on the Rainy River, with anglers taking fish using a jig and minnow. On Rainy Lake, anglers are accessing the main lake when the wind is calm, and finding walleyes on the reefs in 30-40 feet of water. For northern pike, use minnows at the reefs and the American Narrows.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, anglers are taking walleyes from roughly 35 feet of water on jig and minnow combinations, especially when using a slow presentation. Sauger, along with an occasional northern pike, have been mixed in with the walleyes. The rock markers have been removed, and anglers are asked to use caution when navigating the lake.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, the best walleye reports are coming from anglers using jigs and minnows in 25-40 feet of water. Muskie are hitting large crankbaits trolled over depths of 16-24 feet along the rock-covered shorelines. The key has been a brightly-colored bait that mimics whitefish and tullibee movement.
Ely
Few reports are available due to recent cool temperatures and high winds. This is, however, a great time to search for large northern pike, with fish turning aggressive once the tullibees move onto the reefs to spawn. Look for these large pike on lakes such as Burntside and Shagawa. And, some smaller walleyes continue to be pulled from a few area lakes. The lakes are in the process of turning over.
Duluth
Look for walleyes in 6-8 feet of water on Fish Lake. On Island Lake, a jig and minnow is triggering walleyes in depths of 10-12 feet. Muskie action is improving, with large sucker minnows working best on Island Lake and in the St. Louis River. Kamloops have started showing up on the north shore of Lake Superior. For the most fish, cast spoons or crankbaits close to shore.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
The shiners are now running in the Rainy River, and walleye anglers are having a hard time locating fish due to the run occurring later than usual. Some anglers are taking large walleyes from the Lighthouse Gap up the river to Baudette, however limits of keeper-size fish require patience. Look for the shiner run to be in full swing by the weekend, with the walleyes following right behind.
Waskish
The Tamarack River is producing some large walleyes. The wind has limited access to Upper Red Lake.
Blackduck
A jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes and perch on Blackduck Lake in 10-16 feet of water. A few good-sized panfish are coming from 12-20 feet of water on Gilstead, Pimushe, and Rabideau lakes.
Bemidji
Muskies have been active in the shallows of lakes Bemidji and Cass, and fish should become even more active as the tullibees move into shallow waters. Walleye action has been limited.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, most anglers have had difficulty accessing the water due to recent high winds. For a few walleyes, hit 18-24 feet of water on the smaller area lakes.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleyes can still be found using minnows and crankbaits in less than 12 feet of water. Look to Goose Island, Otter Tail Point, Sand Point, and Bear Island for the most fish. Some anglers are also having success using jigs and minnows in 18-24 feet of water on the deep humps in Walker Bay during the day.
Park Rapids
A jig and minnow combination is triggering walleyes on Fish Hook Lake in 18-21 feet of water.
Detroit Lakes
Minnows continue to produce walleyes in water as shallow as 10 feet and as deep as 50 feet, depending on the lake. Lakes to check out include Pine, Sallie, Melissa, Big Detroit and Island. Crappies can be found suspended over 20 feet of water on most area lakes. Sunfish seem to be holding in depths of 10-14 feet. For muskies, use large minnows on Big Detroit Lake.
Battle Lake
Strong winds, snow, and cold kept anglers off the water last weekend. At present, Otter Tail Lake is producing walleyes in 20-30 feet of water during the day on minnows; at night, hit the shallows using crankbaits. Some large northern pike are coming in on minnows worked on West Battle and Clitherall lakes. For muskies, use sucker minnows on West Battle Lake.
Emily
A jig and minnow is turning walleyes on the north end of Lake Washburn in 15-25 feet of water. The mouth of the river on Molton Lake is giving up crappies to anglers using plastics and minnows.
Cross Lake
Walleye action remains good, with Upper Whitefish, Pelican, and many of the smaller area lakes giving up fish in 18-34 feet of water. Anglers report the best success working the steep drop-offs and points using redtails and shiners during the day. A few walleyes are also being taken by anglers pulling crankbaits along the weedlines at night. A few northern pike are coming from the points and breaks on spinners and minnows. Crappies can be found suspended along the 14-foot weedlines of most lakes. And, a nice lake trout was recently taken below the Crosslake dam.
Crosby
Vertical jigging with a buckshot spoon or a jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes in 35-40 feet of water on Pelican Lake. Also try slowly trolling small crankbaits through 8-12 feet of water on Pelican Lake after dark. The Deerwood end of Serpent Lake is producing walleyes on jigs and minnows in 18-34 feet of water. For numbers of rainbow trout, try trolling small crankbaits during early morning hours at the Portsmouth Pit. Large bucktails have produced several large northern pike in the trees at Portsmouth and Mahnomen #2 Pit.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Jigs tipped with shiner minnows or redtails are producing walleyes in 15-30 feet of water on Gull, North Long, and Pelican lakes. Bass and northern pike are being pulled from the shallows on these lakes.
Isle/Onamia
On the east end of Lake Mille Lacs, shallow-running crankbaits are producing walleyes at night in 3-5 feet of water at the rock piles. Check the bays for a few good-sized perch in depths of 9-11 feet. On the west end of the lake, work the 10- to 12-foot shoreline breaks using crankbaits at night for a few walleyes. The day bite has been slow throughout the lake. For perch and northern pike, use minnows along the weedlines in St. Alban’s Bay.
Alexandria
The recent rising temperatures should increase walleye activity, with fish most likely found in 30-50 feet of water on Ida and Miltona lakes. Look for walleyes in depths of 15-20 feet on Lakes Le Homme Dieu and Carlos as well. Minnows are currently working best during the day, with crankbaits taking fish from the shallows at night.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, walleyes are hitting minnows in 18-42 feet of water on the Four Mile Bar, in depths of 20-32 feet on the north end sunken island, and in 18-30 feet of water in front of Holiday Resort.
Starbuck
Walleyes are coming from the shorelines of Lake Emily on minnows, with shallow-running crankbaits producing fish at night. On Lake Minnewaska, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations worked in 20 feet of water or more.
Sauk Centre
Minnows are producing a few walleyes on Big Birch Lake in 32-40 feet of water. On Big Swan Lake, check depths of 18-20 feet. Look in 10-15 feet of water on Sauk and Fairy lakes for northern pike.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Sunfish continue to hit in less than 10 feet of water on Cedar Island and Horseshoe lakes. Walleyes can be found using minnows in depths of 10-17 feet on Rice, Koronis, and Horseshoe lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over 17 feet of water on Cedar Island Lake.
Twin Cities vicinity
Elk River/Zimmerman
Crappies and sunnies remain active in 10-12 feet of water on Blue and Green lakes. The Mississippi and Rum rivers are producing smallmouth bass and an occasional walleye.
Annandale
Clearwater and Cedar lakes are the area’s best options for walleyes, with fish being pulled from 12-24 feet of water on minnows. Northern pike action remains strong in 10-14 feet of water on Clearwater, Pleasant, Sugar, and Granite lakes.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Spoons and sucker minnows are triggering a few northern pike in 12 feet of water or less on lakes Pierson and Auburn. The reefs and swimming beach area on Lake Waconia remain the best bet for walleyes. A few muskies are also coming from the swimming beach area during afternoon hours.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, anglers are taking a few muskies on top of the shallow weed flats during midday hours. Walleyes are hitting jigs and fathead minnows worked over 15-20 feet of water in the larger bays such as Wayzata, Excelsior, and Brown’s. For northern pike, use a large sucker minnow in depths of 12-14 feet.
Chisago City
Bass are hitting crankbaits pitched onto the remaining weedlines of Chisago, North Center, and South Lindstrom lakes. South Lindstrom Lake, and the channel on Big Green Lake are the area’s best walleye options during afternoon hours. Sunfish are being pulled from 8-10 feet of water on most area lakes. Sunrise Lake remains good for northern pike.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
Northern pike continue to hit sucker minnows in 10-14 feet of water on Demontreville, Jane, White Bear, and Rush lakes. The Mississippi and St. Croix rivers are giving up walleyes in depths of 5-16 feet. Bass remain active on lakes such as Tanner, Jane, and Demontreville.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
Sonars, and hair jigs with minnows are producing walleyes and sauger below the dam on the Mississippi River in 12-14 feet of water. The Baypoint Park docks continue to hold panfish. On Lake Pepin, anglers trolling crankbaits in the Head of the Lakes area over 18-24 feet of water are catching walleyes.
Mankato
The narrows of Madison Lake continue to produce crappies in 10-12 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting minnows on Little Jefferson Lake. Lake Washington is giving up lots of sunfish in depths of 8-10 feet.
Willmar
A jig and minnow combination is turning walleyes on Eagle Lake in 10-20 feet of water. Some anglers are having success fishing from shore on Big Kandiyohi Lake. Anglers using a jig and minnow, and a vertical presentation, are pulling walleyes from depths of 25-35 feet on Green Lake. On Willmar Lake, panfish remain active during the day, with a few walleyes coming from the shallows at night.
Ortonville
The larger walleyes have started hitting on the north end of Lake Traverse. For good numbers and the largest fish, try a jig and minnow combination in the shallows.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
