The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of International Falls, where Rainy Lake is giving up good numbers of walleyes, smallmouth bass, crappies and northern pike. For gigantic sturgeon, hit the Rainy River.
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Island Lake is giving up good numbers of walleyes in roughly 18 feet of water on inflated crawlers on a rig. For crappies, hit depths of 15-18 feet using crappie minnows on Fish Lake, with fish found suspended about 13 feet down. Bass are being pulled from Fish, Pike and Caribou lakes, under and around the docks. On Lake Superior, the salmon and lake trout action has been the best out of Two Harbors, and up the shoreline. For the most salmon, hit 80 foot depths just out from Silver Bay. Walleyes can be found along the South Shore when using purple stickbaits and spoons. A few fish are being pulled from the St. Louis River trench. The upper river continues to produce large smallmouth bass in the deeper pools, with some fish measuring 21- and 22-inches.
Ely
Limits of walleyes are being pulled from a number of area lakes. The hot spot is currently White Iron Lake, where walleyes are holding at the sunken islands and reefs in 9-14 feet of water. While live bait anglers are doing well, trolling rapalas and other crankbaits may do a better job of luring the larger fish from the schools. Please note that this lake has a slot limit, and all walleyes measuring 17- to 26-inches must be released. Two-pound crappies are also coming out of White Iron, with minnows on small jigs and tubes working best. Little Long Lake is giving up crappies, sunnies and walleyes, as well as an occasional large northern pike. Basswood Lake continues to produce walleyes on slowly trolled spinner rigs tipped with crawlers or minnows. Trout anglers are having fun on Miners Lake, the Glacier Ponds and Tofte Lake. Burntside Lake continues to give up a few fish.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, surface water temperatures have dropped to below 70-degrees. Walleyes and saugers can be found in schools using minnows in 30-plus feet of water. Anglers are also taking fish when trolling at roughly 1 1/2 miles-per-hour using artificial lures in depths of 20 feet. The reef ledges and shorelines are providing the most action. Crawlers and leeches are turning some fish when worked in 8-20 feet of water. Slip-sinker rigs trolled slowly over the soft bottom structure of shorelines and bays have been good for walleyes and bass. Northern pike are chasing cast and trolled artificial lures. Expect more reports of large fish with recent cooler temperatures. For now, the most consistent walleye bite on Lake Kabetogama is in 18-28 feet of water. The best depths on Lake Namakan are 25-40 feet. Large northern pike are coming from the outskirts of vegetation along the shorelines and in the bays.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes are being pulled from 35-45 feet of water. Good reports are coming from the submerged reefs, as well as some shallow areas. Leeches and crawlers have been best, however minnows are beginning to produce more fish. Smallmouth bass are also coming from the submerged reefs, but from slightly shallower depths. Use a graph to help locate fish. Black and Sand bays have been good for crappies and northern pike. The winner of last weekend's 17th Annual North American Sturgeon Championship on the Rainy River caught a 58 1/4-inch sturgeon. The Championship is strictly catch-and-release, and attracted over 200 anglers. The border water sturgeon season remains open until September 30.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, fishing remains excellent. Most fish are coming in on down-riggers used in 31-35 feet of water. Pulling plugs is also producing fish near the flats. On the Rainy River, walleyes are coming from depths of 16-20 feet, especially from Clementson Rapids east to Vita’s Landing. The Northwest Angle and Islands area is giving up some large fish around Oak Island and at the rocks near Flag Island. The best approach for a trophy walleye is a jig and crawler.
Blackduck
Walleye anglers are doing well on Blackduck, Round and Island lakes. Crankbaits are the best option since fish are scattered along the shorelines, and covering a lot of ground is the key to catching fish.
Bemidji
On Lake Bemidji, walleyes are being pulled from 20-26 feet of water on larger redtails. For the most fish, hit the rock pile and grass island off Diamond Point on the south end of the lake. A few muskies are being taken on the north end of the rock pile just after sunset. Lake Plantagenet has also been good for muskie action when using topwater lures. For some nice crappies, check out Grace Lake, with anglers also reporting a few bluegills.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleye fishing has been fairly consistent in the shallows. The weedbeds along the east side near The Highbanks and Musky Bay are producing fish on jig and minnow combinations, as well as crawler rigs. Ravens Point is another hot spot, especially at the spine. Some nice northern pike, weighing over 5-pounds, are showing up throughout the lake. Expect crappie and bluegill action to improve as the water begins to cool.
Walker
On Leech Lake, muskie fishing has been very good at Huddles, Big Rock and Pelican reefs. One catch-and-release fish measured 53 inches, with reports of a few 45- to 49-inch fish also being taken. Red and black bucktails are the best bet. Recent cool temperatures have lead to an increase in walleye action. The best approach is to troll deep-diving rapalas, followed by a leech under a bobber. Northern pike and bass are being pulled from Steamboat Bay. For jumbo perch, hit the south side of Bear Island.
Hackensack
Jig and minnow combinations are producing the most walleyes now that temperatures are dropping and fish are moving into their fall patterns. Woman Lake is giving up a few walleyes. Also try trolling Ten Mile Lake at night for a few fish.
Park Rapids
Walleyes are being pulled from depths of 18-28 feet during early morning and late afternoon hours. Potato and Fishhook lakes are the best bets at this time. The panfish bite has been excellent, with lots of bluegills coming from 12-14 feet of water on waxworms. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 6-18 feet of water on Long Lake. Bass continue to hit plastic worms worked in 2-6 feet of water.
Pelican Rapids
Although few reports are available due to recent rainy weather, some anglers still report good walleye action on Lida and Pelican lakes when using minnows.
Battle Lake
Walleyes continue to bite on Ottertail Lake. Try a crankbait in 7-12 feet of water out on the flats during morning and evening hours, and switch to crawlers and suckers worked in 18-24 feet during the day. On West Battle Lake, the best approach has been a leech or minnow in depths of 30-35 feet. On Rush Lake, hit 16-21 foot depths using leeches or shiners. Sunfish anglers are doing well on Star, Fiske, Blanche, Deer and Norway lakes. Crappies are biting in roughly 20 feet of water on West Battle Lake, with fish found suspended 10 feet down. Bass and northern pike remain active on most area waters. For the most fish, hit Clitheral and West Battle lakes.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, northern pike are biting along the weedlines. Sunfish are hitting waxworms at Half Mile Bar. Anglers are taking a few walleyes throughout the lake.
Crosslake
Walleye action has been good during early morning and evening hours on Crosslake and the Whitefish Chain. The best approach has been a lindy rig and leech in 18-22 feet of water. Bass anglers are doing well along the weedlines and dock areas when working worms, surface plugs and spinner baits. Northern pike are hitting spinner rigs and spinner baits fished along the weedlines on most area lakes. Panfish and crappie action has been great. The largest fish are coming from depths of 16-18 feet on waxworms and small jigs under a slip bobber still-fished or slowly retrieved through and along the outside weedline.
Crosby
Walleyes are being pulled from the weedlines of Serpent and Rabbit lakes, as well as the pools on the Mississippi River. Bass are coming from the lily pads and shallows on topwater lures and spinnerbaits on most area lakes. A few northern pike are coming in on sucker minnows and crankbaits. For panfish, hit Little Rabbit Lake and the Mississippi River, with the larger fish being pulled from the river. Trout action has been slow in the mine pits. Muskie sightings are common, however getting these fish to bite has been tricky. Anglers are having the most success on Cedar Lake around midnight.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, jumbo perch and walleye action remains fair. Walleyes were recently taken while bobber fishing on the rocks. Perch are being picked up along the shorelines. Muskies are biting at Big Point and the north end sand. Smallmouth bass can be found on the rocky reefs when using rubber tubes or live bait. Expect the walleye bite to improve in the near future as water temperatures fall.
Grey Eagle
Walleyes are hitting crankbaits worked in 5-8 feet of water on Pelican Lake. Walleyes are also coming out of Big and Little Birch lakes on lindy rigs worked in 12-15 feet of water. Nice-size crappies and sunnies are being pulled from Kings Lake, and from Pine Lake, located near Upsala. Big Birch Lake is giving up some nice 1/2- to 3/4-pound sunfish. A good bass, northern pike and sunfish bite is being reported on most area lakes.
St. Cloud
Local anglers continue to pull lots of sunfish, bass and northern pike from Briggs Lake and the Horseshoe Chain. The Mississippi River remains good for crappies, smallmouth bass, walleyes and catfish, with anglers taking fish on nightcrawlers, fathead minnows, small suckers and leeches. Also check out Lake Alexander for a variety of fish.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Annandale
On Clearwater Lake, sunnies are hitting worms in roughly 10 feet of water at the weedlines. Northern pike are also active at the weedlines, mostly hitting medium sucker minnows. A few crappies are being taken during evening hours at the weedlines in 5-10 feet of water on crappie minnows. Bass are active, and taking worms and deep-running crankbaits at the sharp drop-offs. The lake has risen about 6 inches due to recent rainfall.
Anoka
The Mississippi River water levels are up. While fishing action has slowed, expect higher water levels to improve the upcoming fall bite. The Rum River should also soon improve, with bass becoming very active. Some nice panfish continue to be taken from Anne and Rush lakes. And Knife Lake is giving up lots of sunnies on small crawlers.
Forest Lake
The St. Croix River is producing some walleyes and panfish. Green Lake has been good for bass fishing. Clear Lake can be counted on for some decent panfish numbers. These fish can be found at the weedlines, as well as suspended in deeper waters. For muskies, hit Forest Lake using spinnerbaits.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, panfish action remains good. For the most fish, hit the deeper water off Keggs and Pillsbury reefs, and the milfoil line in roughly 12 feet of water near the beach on the southeast corner. Bass are up in the pencil reeds and bulrushes, hitting topwater baits. Bass are also being taken off the south end of Cemetery Reef in roughly 20 feet of water, and off North Reef in depths of 16-18 feet.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, a few walleyes are coming in on floating rigs tipped with leeches worked in 20-24 feet of water. Muskies are chasing almost everything on the weed flats. Bass can be found in depths of 17-18 feet of water when using plastics.
Chisago City
The panfish are biting on Chisago Lake from the Eagles Nest to the A-Frame in 8-20 feet of water. The bass bite remains excellent on most area waters. On North Center Lake, off Nelson’s Island, anglers are taking crappies and an occasional walleye from depths of 10-20 feet.
Oakdale/East Metro area waters
Catfish are coming from the deep pools on the St. Croix River, as well as from Silver Lake on stink bait and sucker pieces. The muskie bite is going well on area waters. Northern pike and bass action has slowed somewhat. Anglers are taking more walleyes from the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, walleyes continue to be pulled from the deeper waters of Lake Pepin on shad raps and lead line. Bass are coming from the rock piles. Once weather patterns stabilize, expect to find northern pike at the mouths of the Rush and Pine rivers, hitting red eyes and larger spoons.
St. Peter
Catfish were active on the Minnesota River prior to the recent rainfall, but it is unclear how all the rain has affected the bite. The river has risen 5-6 feet! For sunnies, hit Washington and Madison lakes.
Waterville
Lake Tetonka water levels have risen, and there have been quite a few reports of walleyes and large crappies being taken. Northern pike are coming in on chubs and spoonplugs. Lots of nice bass were taken during the recent bass tournament. Expect the crappie and striper bite to heat up on Lake Tetonka in the near future.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
