EXPLORE MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT AUGUST 4, 2011 Despite recent hot temperatures, anglers continue to do well throughout much of the state, especially with the muskie, bass and panfish!
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy RiverRainy Lake walleye can be found near the underwater reefs, with anglers taking nice fish on just about any bait or presentation worked in 25-35 feet of water. The best location is roughly a triangle from Dryweed Island to Lost Bay to the Fox Islands. Cranberry and Lost bays are giving some large northern pike at the weed edges. Some anglers are starting to locate smallmouth hot spots as they prepare for the upcoming International Falls Bass Championship, held August 25-28. Fishing has been fairly productive around the Ranier Rapids, on both the lake and river sides. A good bite is also being reported below the dam. Anglers will also want to check the river for smallmouth bass hot spots. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.org
KabetogamaLakes Kabetogama and Namakan continue to produce good numbers of fish. Walleye, perch and northern pike have all been fairly active throughout the day, but for the most fish, venture out during morning and evening hours. Walleye are scattered. On Kabetogama, hit depths of 17-24 feet using crawlers and leeches. On Lake Namakan, use a minnow in depths of 26-32 feet; water color and temperature may be the reason for the difference. Northern pike are hitting lures, including large spinnerbaits and spoons, especially at the weedlines. The perch remain active, and walleye anglers seem to take a few them each day. Smallmouth bass action has been consistent at the shorelines and rock-piles; for the most fish, use semi-surface lures or small spinners, such as #3 or #4 Mepps. Water temperatures are in the mid 70s, and everyone seems to be out enjoying swimming and water sports in addition to the great fishing! 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.com
ElyWhile walleye action has slowed a bit, some larger fish are being reported now that the fish have moved deeper due to increased water temperatures. A few walleye weighing up to eleven pounds have recently been taken from 16-20 feet of water at the deep reefs. Many are hitting deep-trolled shad raps and count downs pulled behind a bottom bouncer. Northern pike action remains good, with fish readily taking large plugs and spoons. Panfishing has been good in the shallows, especially during evening hours. 1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.org
Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Fishing has been exceptional - even the lake trout are biting in the waters off the Gunflint Trail! On Round Lake, the lake trout are grabbing leeches and spinners in the deep water off the bottom at 60 feet. Bass are hitting everywhere, attacking water lures, spinners, drift rigs and bobbers on Hungry Jack, Seagull, Devil Track, and Poplar lakes. Near Lutsen, and just off the Caribou Trail, large walleye are being pulled from the weedlines of White Pine Lake by anglers slowly drifting crawler harnesses. Anglers are finding lots of nice northern pike and walleye in the weed pockets at roughly 15 feet of water on Sawbill Lake, north of Tofte. For these lunkers, use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or small leech. In Lake Superior, there are reports of salmon moving along the shoreline reefs in 20-40 feet of water. Lake trout remain in the cold, deeper waters, with many large fish being pulled from the big lake! And the annual Fishermen's Picnic will be held this weekend in Grand Marais, complete with herring fish burgers and a big fish contest!
www.VisitCookCounty.com
Grand Rapidswww.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Fishing is great throughout Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. Walleye are hitting a variety of baits. On the South Shore, anglers are taking lots of fish while drifting bottom bouncers and crawlers. Limits are also being taken from depths of 10-20 feet and along the reefs. To the north, around Garden Island and Little Oak, drifting, trolling, and downrigging are all filling coolers. And just last week, a young man caught a 43-inch, 20-pound northern at Clementson Bay on the Rainy River - it was the night before leaving for college! 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
BemidjiAnglers are catching walleye in a variety of locations in most lakes. Some fish are shallow, hanging at the tops of humps and bars with some chara or rocks to hold crayfish and minnows. Walleye are also at the sides of structure either on the outside edge of the weedline or off the sides of humps, bars and shoreline points. The best walleye bite has been on days with stable weather conditions. Walleye fishing has been tough on most waters the day after a front passes, and also on days with little wind. The best lakes for walleye remain the larger lakes, such as Winnibigoshish and Upper Red, with Bemidji and Cass also producing nice numbers when the conditions are right. Multi-species anglers have an advantage during the dog days of summer since most area lakes have several different species of gamefish, as well as one or more species of panfish; plan ahead and bring a few rods rigged for different species. Northern pike, bass, sunfish and perch are all most active during the day, while walleye, muskies and crappies feed more during low light periods and on days with cloud cover. Anglers willing to switch species during the day based on the conditions will remain busy! 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.com
Cass Lake1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.com
Walker - Leech LakeThe walleye bite on Leech Lake has been slow, yet persistent anglers have been able to find a few fish. During the day, use a lindy rig or troll a bottom bouncer with a leech or crawler. Trolling crankbaits after dark has also been productive. The many Walker Bay humps are producing some large walleye, and Sand Point has also been good during evening hours. Anglers found some action at the Goose Island Flats and between the Duck Points when wind blew from the same direction for a while. On the east end of the lake, Mokey Reef and North Bar were also giving up some fish. Water temperatures are very warm, resulting in a rise in muskie, bass and panfish action. Panfishing has been especially good in Steamboat Bay. And Walker Bay Days and the Leech Lake Sailing Regatta will add to the fun this weekend. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.com
Detroit Lakes1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes AreaAs of late last week, fishing on Otter Tail Lake had really improved. During the day, walleye anglers using crawlers and spinners at the weedlines down to 20 feet were having success. Number five rapalas were best in 7-10 feet of water early in the morning and late in the evening. Sunfish and bass have been very active at the weeds on area lakes. Crappies have been a bit sluggish. The northern pike bite was fairly good. Muskie were being pulled from 10-20 feet of water on West Battle Lake. 1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Areawww.whitefish.org
Brainerd Lakes AreaWalleye continue to hit crawlers and leeches in 15-17 feet on Serpent and Rabbit lakes near Crosby. The Mississippi River is kicking out quite a few walleye as well. The 10- to 15-foot weedlines on Lakes Emily, Bay, Little Rabbit, and Rabbit are producing northern pike. Look for panfish in depths of 10-15 feet at Serpent, Nokay, Black Hoof, and Cedar lakes. Rainbow trout can be found suspended at 20-30 feet at the Portsmouth and Pennington pits. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.com
Aitkin1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.com
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille LacsOn Lake Mille Lacs, the mud flats are giving up walleye during the day to anglers pulling spinners tipped with crawlers or leeches; trolling crankbaits with lead core is also working well. Try Eight Mile, Curley's or Resort flats for the most fish. For a few more walleye, try trolling the mid-depth rocks and gravel using shad raps or hornets with lead core. On windy, cloudy days, move shallow using #5 shad raps in depths of 8-10 feet. During evening hours, add a bobber. The bays, such as Wigwam, Vineland, Wahkon and Isle are producing lots of northern pike. Sucker minnows under a bobber and trolled white spinnerbaits are working well. Smallmouth bass action has been great at Brown's Point, Knox Point, and the Myr Mar area on the north end; depths of 4-12 feet at the shallow rock areas have been best. On the south end of the lake, hit the "2nd Tier" rocks using medium-sized grub tails and crawfish baits in depths of 5-8 feet. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.com
WillmarPanfish action has been excellent in most area lakes, with Florida, Game, Nest and Diamond lakes producing a lot of large fish. Walleye are turning more active on Green and Diamond lakes in the deeper waters. 1-800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes AreaMost Chisago City area lakes offer lots of bass action, with fish hitting almost anything thrown their way! Walleye continue to be found in the deep water by anglers using leeches and fatheads. Sunnies and crappies are hitting leeches, crappie minnows and waxworms. For the most fish, work your bait 4 feet off the bottom in depths of 15 feet on Chisago Lake. Lots of nice sunnies are also coming from North Center and South Center lakes in 9 feet of water. Northern pike anglers report good action on Big Green and Little Green lakes when using sucker minnows. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.com
White Bear Area LakesAs of late last week, fishing was very good on both White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. Sunfish were hitting leeches and worms worked in roughly 6 feet of water. Bass were attacking leeches, as well as plastic worms on spinnerbaits. Northern pike were hitting spinnerbaits, plugs and spoon plugs. Walleye anglers were finding fish during evening hours when using leeches and fathead minnows. Most of the fish were being pulled from depths of 25 feet on White Bear Lake, and 14-18 foot depths on Bald Eagle Lake. A few muskie were coming in on cowgirl-style lures, as well as topwater lures during morning and late evening hours. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.org
Southern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.org
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of July 29, anglers reported that foam hoppers and beetles were producing fish. Trico spinner falls were still being reported in the upper South Branch Root River area. Duschee Creek and the South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park were considered clear and normal. The South Branch Root River at Lanesboro was off and slightly high. As of Thursday, August 4, the Whitewater River System Watershed was wet. Conditions were cloudy, with a normal flow at the South Branch. The North Branch was slightly cloudy, with a normal flow. And the Middle Branch was reported to be clear with a normal flow. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.org
Fairmont Area Lakes1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.com
Ortonville - Big Stone LakeFish remain active on Big Stone Lake, however the hot, humid days of summer have kept some anglers from venturing out. Anglers that are willing to head out are being rewarded with some nice perch. One group of anglers recently took 3 good-sized perch from the top of the Grape Vine Reef on a simple hook and piece of crawler, and then grabbed 16 fish when trolling crankbaits on the Minnesota shoreline from the Big Stone State Park up to Lou's Point. Another angler was pulling crankbaits in the Rocky Ledge area and took 19 good-sized perch. 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
