Explore Minnesota Fishing Report - Friday, October 9

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Explore Minnesota Fishing Report as of Friday, October 9

Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.

Fall weather has arrived, and the water temperatures are dropping. Minnows are now the bait of choice, especially when presented slowly. Expect a great bite until ice begins to form.

Northeast Minnesota

International Falls

Despite the recent cool temperatures, the walleye bite remains strong on Rainy Lake. Some very sizable fish are being taken. The best bet is to hit 30-40 feet of water using a jig and minnow combination. Walleyes are also being pulled from the shallower waters near the windward sides of the islands. Some areas mentioned include Stubs Shoals, Blueberry Island, and the east end of Dryweed. Large northern pike and crappies are coming from Black Bay. On the Rainy River, lots of walleyes and smallmouth bass are lurking in the weedy edges, and feeding aggressively. When fishing the river use a shiner minnow. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

The change from late summer to fall weather occurred abruptly, and water temperatures dropped at least 10-degrees in one week. As of Sunday, October 4, the temperature was 60-degrees. Despite strong winds and cold temperatures, some anglers continued to venture out and they were rewarded for their effort. Large northern pike and walleyes are being reported, as well as some keeper-size walleyes. Earlier this week, fish were being pulled from depths of 23-35 feet. For the most fish, use a white or partially white jig tipped with a minnow. Northerns are coming in on live bait, as well as on artificials trolled outside the weedlines and over the tops of the weeds. Crappie action has been inconsistant ? anglers must stay on the move to catch their limit. This fall is expected to offer some incredible fishing, weather permitting. For further information, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Ely

Local walleye anglers are finding success on Burntside Lake when using white glow-in-the-dark jigs tipped with a small minnow. Drifting hammered brass crawler harnesses quickly is also working well. Fish have been aggressive, and can be found in 16-22 feet of water. A number of nice northern pike and perch are being caught and released by the walleye anglers. Despite adverse weather conditions, the fish are hungry and those venturing out will most likely be rewarded with lots of fish, as well as beautiful surroundings! To learn more, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Duluth/Lake Superior & inland lakes

To locate charter boats and guide services, and to find out where the fish are biting, dial 1-800-4-duluth, or visit www.visitduluth.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

The shiner run is heating up, and this should last until the middle of November. Although the weather has turned more seasonable, the water temperatures remain in the mid-50s. Once the water cools a few degrees expect an increase in action, with a chance to catch some very large fish. On Lake of the Woods, most of the boats can be found just outside the Lighthouse Gap, in Four Mile Bay, and in the Rainy River. While somewhat sporadic, nice-sized fish are being reported. Anchoring and jigging has been the best approach, especially when using fathead minnows, frozen shiners and live shiners. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Cass Lake/Deer River/Lake Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux

To learn about the best locations and methods to fish area lakes, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Bemidji

A cold, wet and rainy week in the Bemidji area kept most people off of the lakes, unless they were duck hunting. Snow is mentioned in the forecast for this weekend, so most anglers are waiting for more seasonable weather before heading back out onto the lakes. The fishing has been good when the weather is decent. Calm winds and sunny days are some of the best fishing days in the fall, with many of the fish found in the deep water. Fall colors are still not at peak in the Bemidji area, but a hard freeze predicted for this weekend will accelerate the change. Walleye anglers have been catching most of their fish in the deeper lakes in 20-35 feet of water on jigs and minnows. The presentation needs to be slow, so anglers can hold their boats over fish when they are visible on the depth finder, which takes good boat control. The large, shallow lakes such as Winnibigoshish and Leech, continue to produce walleyes in depths of 6-12 feet. Areas to check out have broken rock and gravel on the bottom, and areas with patches of lingering green weeds. Muskie anglers can use almost anything in their tackle box during the fall months since most presentations are working well. Many anglers are casting as long as they can, and then switch to trolling large crankbaits on the sides of the structure when their hands get too cold to cast any more. Most crappies have been tightly schooled in the deep water. Perch anglers have been finding jumbo perch mixed in with the walleyes on many of the larger lakes. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Central Minnesota

Miltona

Water temperatures on Lake Miltona have dropped to the high 50?s, which is the perfect temperature for fall fishing. Walleyes are starting to bite more often during the day, but the best bite is during evening hours. While a jig and minnow combination remains the most effective presentation, a spinner and crawler is also producing fish. For the most fish, hit depths of 17-28 feet at the steep breaks. Crappie action has been steady with most fish coming from 14-16 foot depths. To learn more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Pine River Area Lakes

Walleye action has really picked up over the past week, with Whitefish, Pine Mountain, Woman, and even some the smaller lakes kicking out walleyes. Fish seem to have settled into a fall pattern, and minnows on jigs or slip sinker rigs are now working best. Look for walleyes in 20-30 feet of water during the day, and in the shallows during early morning and twilight hours. Largemouth bass and northern pike are also in their fall feeding mode, with crankbaits and jig and minnow combinations producing lots of fish. Crappies have been active in depths of 12-20 feet off of the heavy weedbeds on most area lakes. Action should remain great through freeze-up. Be sure to bring winter coats, hats and mittens! This week?s tip is to make sure your jig and minnow combination is kept free of weeds. Walleyes will not hit a jig if even a tiny amount of grass is on your bait, so check your bait frequently and keep your presentation slow. To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Brainerd/Nisswa Area Lakes

Weather has played a role in angling success this past week. The Whitefish Chain has cooled off in temperature and in activity due to the last four days of rainy, cool weather which put a stop to most angling. Despite the weather, Gull Lake has been good for walleyes, with anglers taking quite a few fish on lindy rigs and redtails. Northern pike and bass remain active along the weedlines. For the most fish, use a pike minnow or a spinnerbait. Crappies and panfish can be found suspended in depths of 12-14 feet when using small jigs tipped with crappie minnows or waxworms. To learn more, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

For information on which species of fish are biting and where to find them, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

Avid anglers have not been hindered by the recent cool and rainy weather, and these anglers have been rewarded by some great fish. Sunfish and crappies are being pulled form Willmar and Foot lakes. Ringo, Long, Soloman, and Eagle lakes are all producing some very nice fish. When fishing Green Lake use minnows in 20-30 feet of water. If you head over to Big Kandiyohi Lake, expect to take fish from the shallows while fishing right off shore. To learn more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area

Chisago Lake is heating up for crappies, with fish being pulled right from the channel. There has been a good fall bite on Green Lake ? hit the channel area for some nice walleyes. The north end of North Center Lake is giving up walleyes on jigs tipped with minnows. Large northern pike are coming from South Center Lake on suckers and crankbaits. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakeschamber.com

White Bear Lake

To learn about which species are biting and where they can be located, dial 651/653-5122, or visit www.ExploreWhiteBear.org

Waconia

For information on where to locate fish on Lake Waconia, dial 952/442-5812, or check out www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Cannon Falls

For information on which species of fish are biting and how to find them, dial 507/263-2289, or visit www.cannonfalls.org

Lake City

To learn about which species are biting and where they can be located in Lake Pepin, on the Mississippi River, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Albert Lea

Anglers have been having a blast with all of the crappie action on Fountain Lake near the Hatch Bridge. For the most fish, use a jig tipped with a minnow under a bobber, especially on days when the weather is stable and more seasonable. Anglers are taking a few walleyes from the area near the Shell Rock River on Albert Lea Lake. And, some anglers are reporting some good perch catches. To learn more, visit www.albertleatourism.org, or dial 507/373-2316
 

 ?The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.?