October 28, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report While docks are being removed from most lakes throughout the state, this doesn't mean that the fishing season is over. Walleye are still active, either beginning their move to deeper waters or having already schooled in the deepest part of the lakes. Live crawlers and minnows fished right near the bottom have been very effective. Muskie and northern pike have also been very active. Please be sure to wear your lifejacket since the extra layers used to keep warm will greatly reduce your ability to swim or float if you happen to fall overboard.
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye are hitting shiner minnows in the Rainy River, with good numbers coming from the mouth of the Little Fork and Big Fork Rivers, and near Manitou Rapids. Smallmouth bass are more active just downstream from the dam at International Falls. Walleye fishing has also been good both above and below the Ranier Rapids. Walleye are being pulled from Rainy Lake near the American Narrows. Crappies are biting in the west end of Black Bay. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
The docks have been removed from most area lakes, but that doesn't mean that the fishing season is over--the walleye are still there, you just have to know where to look to catch them! Right now they are bunching up in the deepest part of the lakes, down to 40 feet. When fishing a shallower lake, head to the deepest parts of the lake. Live crawlers and minnows fished right near the bottom have been very effective in the cooler waters. While crappies are also schooling, they remain suspended and have not yet moved to the bottom. 1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
One local guide caught 20 walleye in 3 hours late last week on Lake Vermilion. The guide kept 12 very nice fish measuring between 14 1/2- and 16 3/4-inches. Those released were one small walleye and 7 slot fish measuring 17 1/4- to 20 1/2-inches. All except one were caught on lindy rigs with pike suckers or rainbow minnows worked in depths of 22-32 feet. Fish continue to hammer minnows--the fall bite has finally begun! 1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Walleye action has slowed somewhat, but anglers continue to take good numbers from 18-22 feet of water on Poplar Lake, located halfway up the Gunflint Trail. Jig and minnow combinations are producing the majority of fish. Esther Lake is giving up rainbow trout to anglers using nightcrawlers and Swedish pimples in depths of 20-25 feet. Tait Lake, located north of Lutsen, continues to give up walleye and northern pike in 12-18 foot depths on spoons or jigs with nightcrawlers.
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
Surface water temperatures have declined significantly in recent weeks, dropping to roughly 46-degrees. Fewer anglers are venturing out, with many turning their attention to hunting, resulting in less competition for diehard anglers! Those that have headed out report success using a 1/8-ounce jig and minnow combination, with most walleye coming from the natural structure and weedlines. Fish can be stacked-up one day, and scattered the next, so stay on the move until you locate fish. And please be sure to wear your lifejacket or float coat since the extra layers of clothing used to keep warm will greatly reduce your ability to swim or float if you fall overboard.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The fish continue to bite despite recent cold and windy weather. The best action has been near the Lighthouse Gap on Lake of the Woods, and in the mouth of the Rainy River. Use a jig and minnow combination for the most fish. The shiner run has heated up in the Rainy River with the drop in water temperature which is hovering at the 46-degree mark. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
The deeper area lakes have turned-over and most of the docks at the public accesses have been removed from the water. Most lakes now have surface water temperatures in the mid 40s. Many anglers end their fishing season once the deer rifle season opens on Saturday, November 5. If the weather stays nice, a few anglers will keep fishing right up until the lakes freeze. Tulibees and whitefish are getting ready to spawn and will use many of the same wind or current swept areas walleye used to spawn in the spring. Large northern pike and muskies are often concentrated in the areas where the tulibees and whitefish spawn. The fish often give their locations away by the large swirls in the water from muskies and pike chasing tulibees and whitefish. Anglers are also having success catching walleye, perch, crappies and sunfish, so there are plenty of good fishing opportunities for anglers willing to brave the elements. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comWalker - Leech Lake
Although the number of anglers has diminished on Leech Lake, the fish continue to bite! Walleye action remains great, with anglers taking fish by trolling crankbaits, especially during evening hours and at night. Walleye fishing should stay good until ice-up. Perch anglers are doing well using fathead minnows, and walleye have been mixed-in with the jumbo perch. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
With water temperatures in the high 40s, large fish species such as walleye, bass, northern pike and muskie have been very active. The downside is that the panfish action has slowed considerably. But don't rule out the crappies yet since they have been keeping some anglers busy. For walleye, hit 16-22 feet of water using Northland Roach Rigs and minnows. Productive minnows include dace, redtails, creek chubs and rainbows--the bigger the better. Northern pike are being taken along with the walleye. The key to catching largemouth bass has been to use a 3/8-ounce northland jungle jig at the pencil reeds. Flipping, pitching and swimming techniques have all worked well. Muskie action remains strong on Mantrap Lake, despite cloudy water conditions; baits with a lot of flash and vibration have been key to success. 1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
Walleye continue to hit minnows worked in 14-40 feet of water on Gull and North Long lakes. Crappie action has improved, with fish found suspended over 20-35 foot depths on Gull, North Long, Upper Gull, and Round lakes. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows worked in 15-20 feet of water on Gull Lake. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are providing steady bass action on most area lakes. Towards the city of Crosby, large northern pike continue to be caught on muskie baits worked near the flooded timber. Large pike are also coming from areas where schools of trout are suspended in the pit lakes such as Sagamore, Pennington, and Portsmouth. The rice beds on the Mississippi River are holding active pike as well. Walleye action remains strong on Rabbit and Pelican lakes in depths of 20-28 feet. Serpent Lake anglers are taking walleye from 24-30 feet of water during evening hours. And crappies can be found suspended over 25-30 feet of water on many area lakes. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
The walleye continue to bite on the north end of Lake Mille Lacs. Anglers are having success along the shoreline of Knox Point and along the shoreline to the west, with limits being taken. For the most fish, use a shad rap or stickbait. 1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Late last week, the east end of Lake Mille Lacs was giving up lots of walleye on the rocks and shoreline breaks. The majority of fish were taken during low-light hours on crankbaits. Perch can be found in depths of 12-14 feet in most bays. The shallow muskie bite should improve shortly. On the west end of the lake, walleye have been hitting crankbaits when conditions are calm. Check the shallow rocks and shorelines for the most fish. A few walleye and some good-sized perch have recently been pulled from the deep rock piles. Muskie reports have been limited mainly due to windy conditions. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
The fishing remains excellent on area lakes. Eagle, Green, Florida, Andrew and Nest lakes are giving up nice-size walleye in 10-25 foot depths during the day. Willmar and Foot lakes have been good for active walleye and crappies. And lakes Solomon, Ringo, and Big Kandiyohi can be counted on for some nice crappies and sunnies! 1-800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Walleye action has picked up, with fish coming from the channel between Big and Little Green lakes, from the north end of North Center Lake off Nelson?s Island, and from the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes. Walleye anglers report the most success using rapalas. Crappie action has been good on South Lindstrom Lake in front of the trailer park. For the most fish, use a crappie minnow. Also of interest, a 450-pound bear was recently shot just 3 miles from Lindstrom! 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Area Lakes
The fish remain very active! Walleye can be found in 30 feet of water on the Mahtomedi side of White Bear Lake. Muskie, northern pike and bass are coming from the shallow waters near the docks on White Bear. Muskie anglers are taking fish on muskie suckers. And on Bald Eagle Lake, walleye are being pulled from 12-16 foot depths on the north and south side of Cigar Island. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
The 2011 trout season has come to an end. Overall, the season provided record numbers of brown trout measuring more than 12 inches, most likely due to a very successful 2007 spawn. Trout fishing will not resume until January 1, 2012, when a winter season will open on select streams in southeast Minnesota. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
The fishing remains very good, as it has been the entire month. The annual drawdown of Lake Zumbro continues. Normally it is brought down 2 feet, but this year the Rochester Public Utilities is taking it down 6 feet so they can work on the power dam, and people on the lake can clean up their shorelines. The process is nearly complete, and after about a week, it will be brought back up to the usual 918 foot level. This process has kept the river at a nice flow, and the fishing has reflected it. Sucker minnows on bare hooks have been very effective for smallmouth bass. The muskie and northern pike bite should also continue to improve as they try to bulk up before winter. Water clarity remains superb in both the Root and Zumbro rivers. Now that most trees are bare, the rivers are no longer covered with a layer of leaves, and it is much easier to get your bait to sink below the surface. Expect the Root River to offer excellent bass action, with fish congregating at their normal wintering holes. Fish are oriented toward a mid-day bite during the fall season so you don't need to be on the water at sun-up. If you choose your spot carefully and fish it slowly you will almost certainly have an amazing day of fishing! 1-800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.orgFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
Area lakes are giving up crappies, perch, sunfish and walleye on minnows and jigs. Catfish are hitting nightcrawlers near Blackmer Bridge on Fountain Lake. Crappies and northern pike have been active near Hatch Bridge. For large northern pike, measuring 30-inches, hit the Shell Rock River near Gordonsville using artificial jigs. 1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
A good panfish bite is being reported on area lakes. Hall, Budd, and Sisseton lakes are producing some nice perch and crappies on minnows worked in 8-10 feet of water. Bluegills are coming from the same depths on worms. For some nice muskie, hit Fox Lake. 1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville - Big Stone Lake
Anglers and hunters continue to enjoy mild temperatures and consistent weather patterns. Anglers that continue to venture out onto Big Stone Lake are being rewarded with some very nice perch. The perch seem to have moved just off the shoreline to the first break in the lake structure. Dock anglers are no longer doing as well as in previous weeks, with anglers sitting in boats over 10-13 feet of water doing much better. Unfortunately, the walleye bite has not yet taken off! There have been reports of a few fish coming in, but nothing consistent or impressive size-wise. With the abundance of forage in the lake, they must not be willing to hit a crawler or minnow when there is plenty of other "natural" bait around. 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
