Minnesota Fishing Report 8.4.12
Cities] [Southern]
Temperatures have returned to more normal levels throughout the state, offering a welcome relief from the recent record-high temperatures. With continued mild temperatures and only a slight chance of rain or storms this Saturday, this will be a perfect time to hit the water! Please note that many lakes have developed a layer of algae which limits visibility; anglers using presentations that add color, flash and vibration are having greater success in these conditions.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
Please help prevent the transport of harmful invasive species; do your part to protect Minnesota?s waters by following the state Aquatic Invasive Species laws.
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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Rainy Lake walleye fishing has been very good. Walleye anglers have been taking more fish on leeches and crawlers than minnows. Depths of 20-25 feet of water on the submerged reefs have been best. Slowly trolling a spinner rig seems to be outpacing anchored and jigging. One productive area is just west of the Brule so anglers do not have to travel far for great fishing action. Smallmouth bass action has slowed a bit, but fish can still be caught on the windward rocky shorelines. Large northern pike are being pulled from the weedy edges, and crappie have been hitting near the mouth of the Rat Root River in Black Bay. There have been few reports from the Rainy River, however, those received indicate that walleye are coming from areas below the dam to roughly the golf course, as well as below the Ranier Rapids. 800-325-5766
Kabetogama
Lake Kabetogama & Namakan water temperatures often rise into the 80's during the day, making early morning and late afternoon hours best for catching fish. During the middle of the day, fish are heading to deeper waters for a rest. Kabetogama walleye action remains a bit slow, however, some fish can be found near the reefs in depths of 27-30 feet. All bait choices seem to be working equally well as long as they are on a slip sinker rig and 3-5 foot snell. A good walleye bite will sometimes occur on a cloudy day, with fish coming from the shorelines and reefs in 18-24 feet of water. Crawlers are best during these conditions. While the northern pike and smallmouth bass action has been inconsistent, these fish will bite most hours of the day. The best presentations for consistency are artificial lures either cast or trolled. For bass, work the rocky shorelines; for pike, hit the weed edges. Inland lakes, including Warclub, Quill and Locator, are giving up trophy-size largemouth bass on surface and semi-surface lures. Please remember that live bait is not allowed on inland park lakes. Many fishing guides are traveling to Namakan to take advantage of the cooler and deeper waters. Use a jig and minnow combination in 28-35 feet of water for the most action. And on Kabetogama, current hot spots include Center Reef, Martin Islands, and the shorelines around Green and Larkin islands. Anglers seeking large pike will want to check out the traditional late summer haunts such as Lost, Nebraska and Blind Ash bays. 800-524-9085
Crane Lake
800-362-7405
Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
800-648-5897
Ely
Smallmouth bass have been very cooperative throughout the day on most area lakes. Early and late in the day use top water lures; during midday hours, use jigs with tubes such as gitzits or gulp minnows. These fish are eager to bite, and a lot of fun to catch! Walleye continue to roam the reef tops in 7-15 foot depths, hitting both leeches and crawlers. Some anglers are having success working crankbaits above the drop-offs in similar depths, with some large walleye weighing up to 9-pounds being taken. Shad raps and husky jerks are perfect for this approach; use shad or perch-patterns for the best results. Some nice northern pike are being landed using either a large sucker under a bobber or a large, shallow-running crankbait. Spinnerbaits and tandem spinners may also work well since they can cover a large area, putting your lure in front of more fish in less time. Sunnies and crappies are coming from the weed edges and underwater humps. Concentrate on the sunfish during the day, using small jigs with worms or tails such as gitzits and slurpies. Once the sun drops behind the tree line, switch gears for some great crappie action until well after dark. At night, try your hand at some decent walleye action in the shallows. Please remember to have your running lights in good working order, and bring along plenty of bug spray so you can take advantage of a great nighttime bite! 800-777-7281
Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
The walleye are biting on Devil's Track, Two Island and Elbow lakes located just out of Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail. Northern pike have also been active on Elbow Lake. For the most fish, use leeches, flicks, rapalas and spinners. On Lake Superior, the lake trout and salmon are schooling in roughly 40-80 feet of water. Fisherman's Picnic Week in Grand Marais will continue through August 4, with prizes awarded for the top three walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout, salmon and brook trout during "Buck's Big Fish Contest!" A wide array of exciting events and activities will also be offered. And don't miss out on two other area highlights: an amazing crop of blueberries and the very comfortable water temperatures for swimming in Lake Superior!
Grand Rapids
Not only are the temperatures much more comfortable, the fishing has been amazing throughout the Grand Rapids area! Walleye and northern pike anglers report very active fish, especially in the weeds. For the most fish, use a spinner and nightcrawler at the weeds in depths of 9-11 feet. Crankbaits are also working well at similar depths. Consider a Professional Grand Rapids Area Fishing Guide for your next fishing trip. 800-355-9740
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lake of the Woods anglers are taking walleye by drifting or trolling spinners with a crawler or leech around the Light House Gap in Big Travers Bay and on the south side of Garden Island. The reefs around Knight Island have been good for anglers trolling crankbaits weighted to the bottom in 25-30 feet of water. Downrigger fishing has also been good on the deep mud flats. In the Northwest Angle & Islands area, walleye action has improved since last week's cold front. Gold jigs tipped with a nightcrawler have been productive, but a minnow will also turn fish. Each reef has the potential to give up more than a dozen walleyes in a short amount of time. Anglers should expect to catch jumbo perch along with the walleye when fishing the reefs; for the most perch, hit 25-30 feet of water using a jig and minnow. 800-382-FISH
Bemidji
Hot temperatures continue to be the norm, forcing fish to feed more frequently to keep up with their elevated metabolism rates. Surface water temperatures remain in the high 70s in most lakes, with a good number of suckers and tulibees found floating on the surface of the lakes as a result. Most lakes have a significant algae bloom, which limits visibility. Anglers using presentations which add color, flash and vibration are having more success since fish can locate the bait using more than just their sight. Spinner rigs have been working well for walleye, whether on bottom bouncers, safety pin spinners, or with light bullet or egg sinkers for fishing the shallow flats. Using a quick change spinner clevis allows anglers to switch spinner blades easily, therefore finding the best color blades quickly. It is usually a good idea for each angler in the boat to use a different colored spinner blade to determine which is working best. Many walleye have been in the shallows with weedy or mossy bottoms, so presentations that make limited contact with the bottom are helpful; check your bait frequently to be certain that you haven't picked up a clump of weeds. Most species of fish have been active, so walleye anglers can fish for other species when the walleye aren't biting. 800-458-2223
Cass Lake
800-356-8615
Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish
The walleye bite continues to improve on Lake Winnibigoshish. Spinners with crawlers or minnows are working well. Walleye anglers are doing well when using bouncers in the deep waters, and when using long-lines in the shallows over the weed tops. Speeds of 1.0 to 1.8 are best. Areas to check out include the north humps, the main lake bars, and the weeds found in 6-10 foot depths. The perch bite remains strong, with fish coming from the deep side of the weeds, as well as off the main lake drops down to 30 feet. Northern pike are not as ferocious due to many dead rough fish as a result of recent high temperatures and depleted oxygen levels. Look to the deeper side of the weeds and the main lake bar tops for the most action. Sunfish are active on most of the smaller area lakes. Surface water temperatures are in the upper 70s to lower 80s. 218/665-2268
Walker - Leech Lake
Leech Lake walleye anglers are catching fish early and late in the day. The majority of fish are being taken during morning hours on lindy rig/red hook combos or multi-colored jigs tipped with a leech. Walker Bay's Sand Point and Cedar Point have been best, especially in 7-12 feet of water. Larger walleye can be found on the many humps in Walker Bay. For evening fishing, use crankbaits at Walker Bay's Sand Point, Breezy Point and Fisher Point. In the main lake, anglers are covering a lot of water pulling spinner rigs tipped with a crawler over structure and around the reefs. Areas that have been productive include Big Rock Reef, Mokey Reef, Huddle's Reef, and The Annex. Muskie anglers report lots of sightings and catches when using topwater lures and spinners toss into the cabbage weeds or at the rocky points. Largemouth bass are being pulled from the edges of the rice beds by anglers throwing plastic worms. Steamboat Bay continues to offer a great panfish bite around the wild rice edges by Minnesota Island. Dock anglers have noticed that the water is alive with this year's minnow hatch. And if you drag a leech or crawler on the slowly along the bottom you will probably catch some crayfish. 800-833-1118
Hackensack
Fishing has improved now that the temperatures are more seasonable, and the night fishing has improved considerably. Leeches and nightcrawlers are working well for walleye anglers. Anglers report lots of northern pike and panfish action. Largemouth bass can be found by anglers fishing deep in the weeds. Look for fish in the deeper waters since they are trying to cool off too! 800 -279-6932
Park Rapids
800-247-0054
Detroit Lakes
800-542-3992
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
800-423-4571
Glenwood
The dog days of summer are upon us. On Lake Minnewaska, northern pike are plentiful but you will have to sort through them. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are also an easy catch. Sunnies have been hard to find, and area walleye activity has slowed down. 320/634-3636
Whitefish
Fishing has been good in the Whitefish Area. For walleye, use leeches or nightcrawlers on a lindy rig beginning at 18 feet and working deeper, especially on sunny days. When fishing at dusk and into the night pull crankbaits. Northern pike have headed to deeper waters. For the most fish, use jigs or rigs tipped with minnow in 25-plus feet of water. Some anglers are having success using crankbaits trolled at the outside weedline. Panfish anglers report lots of fish when using small leeches on a small hook with a split shot in the weeds at roughly 12 feet--no bobber is necessary. For bass, throw spinnerbaits or plastics at the weedlines, with the larger bass hitting live bait on jigs or rigs worked in deeper waters.
Pine River
Although hot temperatures have had an effect on fishing success, anglers are still catching fish. Northern pike, bass and panfish are especially active. Some anglers are pulling walleye from the weeds and in depths of 30 feet when using inflated nightcrawlers and leeches, especially early in the morning and at dusk. Crankbaits retrieved rapidly from 12 feet of water over weedbeds and into 8 feet of water have had success. All species seem to be hitting these fast-moving lures. Tube jigs at the weedlines are working well for the largemouth bass. Spinnerbaits in the weeds are turning northern pike and bass, with an occasional walleye also being taken. Muskie reports have been good, and some large fish are coming from the rock reefs and at the deep edge of the red top cabbage weedbeds. 800-728-6926
Brainerd Lakes Area
Gull Lake continues to be a great multi-species producer! The weedlines have been key to success, especially in 14-18 feet of water. Try pitching a jig and plastic worm near the weeds, or slide out deeper using live bait rigs and pike sucker minnows in 18-22 feet or water. Floan's Point and the River Bar are great starting points. For walleye, be sure to head out early, concentrating on Bowties, Cinosam and Holman's points. To locate schools of fish, pull crankbaits or spinner/crawler combinations. Once located, head back and work them using live bait rigs tipped with minnows or crawlers in 20-28 feet of water. On the north shore of Lake Mille Lacs, fishing remains good. During the day, look for fish off the edge of the mud flats in 28-30 ft of water. Long-line spinners with crawlers or minnows are an effective method. Lead core fishing has picked up, with good numbers of fish being taken. 4F salmo hornets, lindy river rockers and the new rapala ultra-light shads are all effective crankbaits for the lead line. The evening bobber bite is worth checking out. For the most fish, look deep off the flats using a leech and a bobber. Smallmouth bass fishing is strong, especially at the Garrison and Myr Mar rock reefs. Brightly-colored tube jigs, sinking minnows and chigger craws are all working well. These fish also love leeches! 800-450-2838
Aitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
800-526-8342
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
The Lake Mille Lacs walleye bite has slowed a bit which is typical for this time of year. Pulling leadcore lines with crankbaits has been effective, however, during the day. At night, bobber fishing in 28 feet of water has been best. The smallmouth bass bite has been amazing, with tube jigs worked in 14 feet of water turning lots of fish. The high water temperatures should lead to an increase in muskie action in the very near future. 888-350-2692
Willmar
800-845-8747
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls
Despite hot temperatures, walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike continue to be pulled from the St. Croix River. A slight wind seems to help with the walleye, with fish responding to lindy rigs tipped with live bait--try locating a school of baitfish along shore when concentrating on walleye. For keeper-sized fish, troll rapalas. 715/483-3580
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
651/257-1177
White Bear Area Lakes
The panfish are hitting leeches and crappie minnows in 14-18 feet of water on both White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. Bass are active on the weedlines, hitting leeches and plastic worms. Muskie and northern pike are being taken on spinnerbaits and sucker minnows. For walleye, hit depths of 14 feet using leeches and fatheads on Bald Eagle Lake. 651/653-5122
Waconia
Fishing remains good despite recent high temperatures. Sunnies and crappies continue to bite, especially at the deep weed edges on the reefs such as Center, North and Anderson's. For the most fish, use wax worms in 10-15 feet of water, with crawlers and leeches also producing fish. Bass action also remains strong. Shallow water spots such as Camp Manakiki, Reinke's Bay, and in the slop of Waconia Bay have all given up some quality largemouth. The deeper water weed edges on North, Keg's and Cemetery reefs, along with the rock piles on Pillsbury have been great options as well! And huge sheepshead have been showing up, with a 30-pound fish recently taken! 952/442-5812
Southern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
877-525-3248
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Thursday, July 26, conditions were mostly clear and low for all area streams and rivers, depite recent rainfall. Several different species of caddis are hatching almost every day. Area fisheries staff are reporting what they think are Micrasema species (#18-20) and Brachycentrus species (#16-18), with numerous Brachycentrus larvae pupating. Hoppers are appearing, along with very small #16 crickets in some areas. No flying ant swarms have been seen. For detailed fishing maps showing defined property lines and easements, check out Trout Angling: Southern Minnesota. 800-944-2670
Rochester - Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
This was the warmest July since 1955 in the Rochester vicinity. Fortunately, roughly 3.5 inches of rain fell last month, saving the crops and keeping water running in the streams. Unfortunately, this is not the case for so many other places in our nation. Fishing has been decent despite near record water temperatures. Eighty-one degrees was measured on the Zumbro River the middle of this week which is unbelievably high. Still, if you can find water that is not stained and has some deep pockets you will experience some good action. Heavy rain fell in the Zumbro watershed last week and the clarity from the Mazeppa branch downstream has not been good. As of mid-week, clarity was only about 12 inches. This time of year you can generally see down at least 2 or 3 feet, sometimes as much as 10 feet. Currently, the preferred baits are flukes with red 1/0 hooks, zara puppies and buzzbaits. No reports are available on walleye action, probably since they tend to be lethargic when temperatures are high. It won't be long until they turn more active. Remember, fall fishing on area streams and rivers is excellent, as are the fall colors along the river. 800-634-8277
Winona
800-657-4972
Faribault Area Lakes
800-658-2354
Albert Lea
800-345-8414
Fairmont Area Lakes
800-657-3280
Ortonville -Big Stone Lake
Perch action is still strong, with an abundance of perch taken when anchored at Bayview, Grapevine, and Windmill Reef. All you need is to dangle a piece of crawler on a hook roughly one foot off the bottom. All ages and skill levels are having a blast with the perch! Anglers seeking the larger fish measuring more than 9-inches are using walleye fishing techniques such as trolling or casting crankbaits. It seems the deeper the water, the better, especially when daytime temperatures reach the 90s. Small 13- to 14-inch walleye are occasionally coming in, however, the 18-inch and larger fish are mostly being seen. Again, trolling crankbaits is your best bet, with crankbaits cast along the weedlines and windblown points producing a few fish. For those seeking lots of action, troll or cast your crankbait for white bass! 800-568-5722
