September 16, 2010 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report The forecast calls for stable weather conditions this weekend, which should help maintain the amazing fall bite being reported for much of the state! Most walleye anglers have switched to minnows as their bait of choice. Water temperatures have dropped, and the fish are more actively feeding as they bulk up for the winter months. This increased bite should continually improve as the season progresses.
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Rainy Lake has had some heavy rains and strong winds, making it tougher for anglers to get out. Those that are getting out, however, are being rewarded with good walleye action in 30-40 feet of water on the mid-lake reefs. Jigging with a minnow is working best. Walleye are also hitting in roughly 10-15 feet of water on the wind-blown shorelines. The Rainy River has probably been easiest to fish during high winds, and anglers report more good walleye action. For the most fish, use a spinner rig tipped with a minnow slowly trolled against the current in 10-12 feet of water. Crappies are hitting at the west end of Black Bay in depths of 8-10 feet on Rainy Lake. Smallmouth bass have been most active in the shallower bays. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Walleye have been more aggressive recently on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. Live bait rigs and jigs worked in 28-30 feet of water at the shoreline structure or reefs have been best. Crankbaits worked 15-20 feet down are producing suspended walleye. Expect some pike as well. Crappie action has increased now that fish are moving into shallower waters, however anglers remain tight-lipped as to their exact location. Northern pike are hitting small suckers and artificials, with anglers doing better trolling than casting this time of year. Please note that the smallmouth bass season ended on September 13, and all smallmouth bass must now be released. To find out more about Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out
www.kabetogama.comEly
Walleye anglers are taking good numbers of fish from 16-20 feet of water, with lindy-style spinner rigs tipped with minnows or crawlers working best. Slip bobber fishing with minnows after dark is also working well. Crappies can be found suspended when using slip bobbers and minnows, as well as jigs and tubes. Northern pike have moved backed to the flats where they are hitting casted and trolled spoons and spinnerbaits. Some anglers are also doing well with suckers under bobbers. Lake trout are coming in on trolled spoons and large rapalas worked in 55-60 feet of water. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
The weeds are dying off on Lake Vermilion, and the walleye are feasting on the less protected perch fry. The fry are beginning to move to deeper waters in search of shelter, and walleye will be right behind them. Walleye anglers are currently having the most success using live bait rigs or jigs in roughly 15 feet of water at the mouths of the bays that hold dead and dying weeds. Muskie anglers report mixed success. Try working the first breaks from shore in depths of 10-14 feet. You may want to use darker, less flashy lures now that water temperatures have dropped into the low 60s. Northern pike action has been very good when trolling the shorelines and casting into them with smaller bucktails, spinnerbaits, and medium-size crankbaits. To learn more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Smallmouth bass and walleye are feeding heavily at certain times of the day on Crescent and Sawbill lakes. Nightcrawlers have been the most productive, followed by leeches, minnows and crankbaits. Closer to Grand Marais, anglers are catching a few walleye in 30-35 feet of water on Seagull Lake when using a jig and minnow. Hungry Jack Lake is also giving up fish, especially when slowly trolling or drifting a minnow through depths of 25 feet at the flats. Also check depths of 20-30 feet using a jig and minnow combination on Homer Lake. Lake trout are very active in 60 foot depths on Saganaga Lake, with fish found suspended when slowly trolling spoons. On Greenwood Lake, waters as deep as 80 feet are giving up the lakers to anglers using trolled spoons. On Moss and Daniels lakes, using ciscoes on a plain hook in 30-40 feet of water. Rainbows are hitting crawlers worked just off the bottom in 18-26 feet of water on Esther, Leo, Trestle, Pine, and Trout lakes. Also try trolling spinners through 13-18 feet of water. On Lake Superior, charter captains are reporting excellent lake trout fishing. Some anglers are even taking fish when casting from shore. Humpback salmon are gathering in the rivers to start their fall run; hit the river mouths using spawn bags for some great action. To find out more, check out
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
For information on where and when to fish, check out
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Cool air temperatures have caused the water temperatures to drop to 59-degrees. Anglers are now fishing closer to the south shore, straight out from the Lighthouse Gap, and at the Morris Point, Long Point and Zippel Bay areas. Anchoring and jigging has been productive for anglers using shiny gold jigs tipped with a minnow in 29-30 feet of water. Downrigging continues to work, but is quickly being replaced by live bait. Shiner minnows are moving into the Rainy River which means the fall walleye run is right around the corner. Sturgeon and northern pike action has been excellent on the Rainy River. Anglers are doing well when casting and trolling in 20-28 feet of water, with two nets needed to land a 57-inch sturgeon recently. Walleye action has increased during morning and evening hours; for the most fish, use a jig and minnow combination. At the The Northwest Angle and Islands area, anglers are taking good numbers of muskie, pike, smallmouth bass and crappies. Walleye continue to be pulled from the points in 20-25 feet of water. As they move off the reefs, they are hitting gold jigs tipped with minnows. The average size is 15- to 18-inches. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
As of late last week, walleye were coming from the deeper lakes, such as Bemidji, Cass and Pike's Bay. Most of these fish were found in 22-35 feet of water, depending on conditions. Use your electronics to locate fish, and then hover over them, fishing vertically. On Lake Winnibigoshish, anglers were finding perch in 6-10 feet of water where the minnows and crayfish were hiding. The best areas were near the chara-covered flats and those with gravel and broken rock. Perch are roaming the flats in huge schools, with smaller perch mixed in with the jumbos. The most successful anglers were using jig and minnow combinations. Crappies have been gathering into larger schools and looking for green weeds with direct access to deep water or other deep structure. Both plastics and minnows work well for crappies in most situations. Muskies and northern pike were also active in the shallows. Tulibees and suckers are their favorite forage, but they will also feed on the large schools of perch. To find out more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
For information on what's biting and where, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
For information on which techniques are working best, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Water temperatures are hovering in the low 60's at this time, and recent stable weather conditions have resulted in an increase in action. The forecast calls for continued stable weather patterns, and local anglers expect the bite to remain very good! Minnows have become the bait of choice. For walleye, use a jig or rig tipped with a minnow at the steep breaks in 13-21 feet of water. Fish have started to transition to shoreline breaks and humps. Look for the steepest breaks to produce. Trolling crankbaits through 6-12 feet of water at night has also been effective. Check out Big Detroit, Mellissa, Pelican, and Otter Tail lakes for the most walleye. Please note that tournaments are scheduled this weekend on White Earth Lake and next weekend on Cormorant Lake, so you may want to consider this when choosing a lake and time to fish. Bass are also responding to jigs and minnows, as well as plastics worked at the weed edges. Big Detroit, Sallie, Long, Big Toad and Floyd lakes are giving up lots of largemouth. For smallies, check out Little McDonald, Cormorant, and Island lakes. Big Detroit and Pelican lakes have had some muskie action, with cowgirls working best when pitched to the edges of extending points, flats, and the shallower weed-covered mid-lake structure. To learn more, dial 1-800-542-3992, or go to
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
As of late last week, the plug bite remained good on Otter Tail Lake during evening hours in depths of 8-10 feet of water. During the day, some fish were coming from 20-30 feet of water on crawlers and spinners, or jigs tipped with redtail minnows. Panfish anglers were enjoying a great bite on the smaller area lakes when using waxworms in 8-10 feet of water. For more information, dial 1-800-423-4571, or check out
www.ottertailcountry.comMiltona
To find out where to fish, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit
www.VisitLakeMiltona.comBrainerd Lakes Area
For information on where and when to fish, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
Walleye are being taken during the day by anglers trolling crankbaits at the deeper flats and rocks on Lake Mille Lacs. Be sure to use lead core to get the smaller lures to a deeper level. The north end sand with warmer, shallower waters has been best for muskie action. Smallmouth bass can still be found; for the most fish, find a large rock and pitch tube baits around and over it. To learn more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out
www.millelacs.comWillmar
Anglers are taking nice-sized perch from Eagle Lake on minnows. Walleye are coming from 15 foot depths on Andrew Lake, with most measuring 16- to 20-inches. For crappies and sunnies, check out Solomon Lake or fish off the dock on Big Kandiyohi Lake. To find out more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Great bass fishing continues to be reported on South Lindstrom and Chisago lakes along the weed lines. Please remember that all bass measuring 12-inches or more must be returned to the water immediately on these lakes. Northern pike anglers are having more success, especially in depths of 8-12 feet on Chisago, South Lindstrom and Green lakes. Walleye are being pulled from South Lindstrom and Chisago lakes, and off of Needle Point on South Center Lake by anglers using fathead jigs and rapalas. For good-size crappies, hit Chisago Lake using crappie minnows and flu flu jigs. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area Lakes
To learn when and where to fish, dial 651/653-5122, or check out
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
For information on what's biting, dial 952/442-5812, or check out
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City -Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
To find out what's biting and where, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro
As of Monday, September 13, conditions were clear and normal for most area rivers and streams, including Duschee Creek, East Beaver Creek Valley at Beaver Creek State Park, Gribben Creek, the South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park, Trout Run, and all sections of the Whitewater Stream. An excellent Trico hatch and spinner fall was observed in Forestville State Park on the South Branch Root River late last week. Beetle patterns have been the most effective. To learn more, dial 1-800-944-2670, or visit
www.lanesboro.comAlbert Lea
For information on where to fish, dial 1-800-345-8414, or check out
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
To learn where and when to fish, dial 1-800-657-3280, or visit
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Big Stone Lake remains strong for perch and white bass. The only deterrent has been the recent wind and rain. Late last week, anglers were doing well during morning and evening hours. There were lots of reports of perch coming from the Windmill Reef area, however one boat had success with the perch and walleye on the north end of Big Stone Lake. The Minnesota side seems to be where the larger perch are holding, however the average size is roughly 10- to 11-inches. Expect fishing to continue to improve as the season progresses. To find out more, dial 1-800-568-5722, or check out
www.bigstonelake.com "The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism."
