Explore Minnesota Fishing Report September 20, 2012
Fishing has improved with the drop in water temperatures, and anglers are having more success during daytime hours. Traffic on most lakes has been down, which is good news for those planning to do some fishing!
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye are jig and minnow combinations worked in 30-32 feet of water on the submerged reefs and in shallower waters on the windward shorelines, especially earlier in the day. Some large northern pike have been pulled from the weedy edges of the bays. Smallmouth bass are active on the rocky shorelines. Rainy River walleye are very active below the Ranier Rapids and above the dam at International Falls. For the most fish, pull a spinner rig tipped with a shiner minnow.
800-325-5766
Kabetogama
800-524-9085
Crane Lake
800-362-7405
Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
800-648-5897
Ely
Traffic on most area lakes has been down, which is good news for those planning to do some fishing. Walleye are roaming the shallows in search of food, and hitting almost anything put in front of them; for the most fish, use minnows, crawfish, and even bugs. A good choice for lures right now is anything that resembles a small perch or crawfish. Another producer is a spinner rig tipped with a crawler. The best action has been early and late in the day in 5-12 feet of water. And some large pike have recently been taken on large spinnerbaits and spoons.800-777-7281
Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Recent sunny and breezy days have caused the walleye to school up in lakes throughout the area. Anglers that locate a hot spot should stay put as the fish are really biting! On our border lakes, including Saganaga and Seagull, walleye are holding at the current breaks and steep drop-offs. Jigs tipped with a minnow imitator have been best. Depth does not seem to be a factor. Crankbaits have been very productive during morning and evening hours when waters are coolest. Try pulling spinners and jigging as well. On Cascade Lake, try nightcrawlers in 12-20 feet of water. The northern pike are moving into more shallow waters near the shorelines. A fourteen-pound pike was recently pulled from just 12 feet of water on Devils Track Lake, just outside of Grand Marais, on a red and white spoon. September is salmon weather! On Lake Superior, a beautiful 11-pound, 2-ounce Atlantic salmon was pulled from about 90 feet of water near Grand Marais. These fish are also moving toward the mouths of the rivers, and a few river casters have had luck below the bridge at Devils Track River, just east 0of Grand Marais. For brook trout, try casting at the mouth of the Brule River, near Naniboujou Lodge, roughly 14 miles east of Grand Marais. Also try the Cascade River between Grand Marais and Lutsen.
Grand Rapids
It is a beautiful time of year to be out on the 1000-plus lakes in Itasca County where the fall foliage is nearing 50% peak fall color. Smaller lakes continue to give up lots of panfish and bass. During the day, crappies are coming from the deeper water off the weedlines in the 8 foot range by anglers moving at speeds of 1.1- to 1.5-mph. Towards evening, crappies are moving up into the weeds to feed. Bass are working the weedlines, and crankbaits are producing the most fish. For walleye, the fall fishing is starting to be more consistent depending on wind conditions. Anglers putting in the time and sticking to a small area once fish are located have done very well. 800-355-9740
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The MTT Championship Walleye Tournament took place last weekend, with over 20 walleye over 28-inches in length taken just on Friday. Most of the larger fish were taken on crankbaits, although this bite has been shifting to jigs and frozen shiners. While clean and clear waters were key this week, fish continued to be pulled from the cloudy waters on the south end of the lake. Good numbers of walleye were pulled from 30-32 feet of water at the Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point, and Zippel Bay areas. Good fishing was also reported south of Garden Island and Four Mile Bay. The most productive colors were chartreuse, orange, pink and gold. Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing was outstanding. Many one-hundred fish days, consisting of some very large fish, were reported. Vertical jigging a 1/8-ounce jig tipped with a fathead minnow has been one of the best, most consistent ways of targeting walleye between 18-and 30-inches. Popular areas have been Flag and Oak islands. Muskie anglers are starting to catch some very large muskie; trolling and casting are both working well. 800-382-FISH
Bemidji
While most species of fish have been active, they have also changed locations. Walleye can be found off the sides of structure into deeper water in most of the deep water lakes, with some fish also holding in the shallows during the cool down phase. Walleye in shallow lakes such as Winnibigoshish and Upper Red have been moving shallow, coming from the shoreline weeds and rocks in 6-12 feet of water. Perch anglers are finding schools of perch having moved to the large shallow flats covered with a mixture of sand grass and/or rocks. Perch are active feeders that like a variety of food choices, with crayfish, minnows and smaller perch all on the menu. Crappies are moving towards structure and becoming more active during the day. Most crappies spent the summer suspended over the top of the thermocline, but as the thermocline breaks down, crappies will almost immediately move towards structure in deeper water. Bluegills will transition to the edges of the greenest, healthiest and tallest weeds which provide cover and hold insects. Bass are beginning to move out of the extreme shallows towards the outer edges of the weeds. Northern pike and muskie are both very active in the fall, with the larger fish following the schools of tulibees, especially when they move into shallow waters. 800-458-2223
Cass Lake
800-356-8615
Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish
Walleye fishing has greatly improved, and the fall bite has clearly begun! Walleye are moving shallow, hitting jig and minnow combinations, crankbaits, and rigs tipped with crawlers or leeches in 3-8 feet of water. Wind seems to enhance the bite even more! Move quickly when the fish are active, traveling between 1- and 1.5-mph. When the bite slows, fish will move back into the weeds where they can be lured out by slowing down and offering a 1/16-ounce jig tipped with a minnow or piece of crawler. Drop-shot rigs, 1/16- or 1/32-ounce, work well for the more neutral fish. Don't overlook the deeper structure which has also produced some nice walleye numbers. The main lake bars and some of the humps have been good, especially when anglers present a rig and crawler or a jig tipped with a larger minnow. Work the tops, as well as down the edges a ways. Some fish can also be found suspended well off the bar edges; for the most fish, try trolling smaller crankbaits at the top of the bars over deep water near the edge. Northern pike are coming in on trolled crankbaits and spoons. Some larger pike can be found in the weeds when using spoons cast to the weeds. Panfish anglers are taking good numbers of perch and sunnies, especially at the weedy areas. Water temperatures are in the low-60s, and will begin to drop even further in the very near future. 218/665-2268
Walker - Leech Lake
The cooler temperatures this week should result in a hot bite for both walleye and perch on Leech Lake this week! Currently, the big lake walleye bite is coming alive when the wind blows around the Goose Island Flats, the Hardwoods and Submarine Island. Walker Bay is still producing walleye around the Cedar Points and The Saucer by Ericson's Landing. Perch are biting in the Sand Point, Walker Narrows and Second Duck Point areas. The best presentation for perch is a jig tipped with a fathead minnow; for walleye, use crawlers and larger minnows. The muskie bite remains good, especially around the cabbage weed beds and the rock bars. Be sure to inquire about the great fall specials at many of the Leech Lake resorts! 800-833-1118
Hackensack
Walleye has really improved throughout the area, especially on Woman, Leech and Winnibigoshish lakes, with Ten Mile Lake producing good numbers during early morning hours. Coupled with an amazing perch and muskie bite, anglers are really enjoying trips out onto the water! While crawlers continue to produce fish, minnows are becoming the bait of choice. Crankbaits continue to produce some fish, with shallow-runners trolled on the shallow breaks during evening hours working well. Overall, however, try to stay in the 12-16 foot range, working the pockets of fish since they don't seem to be as scattered. Panfish action has slowed, but anglers are still finding a few crappies here and there--crappie minnows have been key. Many large muskie have recently been taken on bucktails, crankbaits and topwater lures worked at the tall cabbage beds, as well as at the rock bars on Leech. 800 -279-6932
Park Rapids
Fishing in the Park Rapids area has been hot this past week! As water temperatures dip to the low 60s, fish have become increasingly active. Walleye are coming from 14-20 feet of water from numerous area lakes--live bait rigs have been best with crawlers, and fireball jigs or roach rigs have been very productive with redtail minnows. During dusk and nighttime hours, trolling crankbaits through depths of 10-14 feet has been effective. Bluegills and crappies are biting well at the deep weed edges in 12-14 feet of water; for the most fish, use small jigs tipped with a small leech, chunk of nightcrawler, or a small plastic body. Bass fishing has been spectacular, but please remember that smallmouth bass are catch-and-release only at this time. Look for smallmouth bass cruising the shallow waters on warm, calm days; at other times, hit the steep drops, points and humps where they congregate during the fall months. Largemouth bass are very shallow, coming from less than 8 feet deep on spinnerbaits, jig-n-pigs and topwater baits. The lily pads are beginning to die-off so working a spinnerbait or jawbreaker spoon has become very easy, and the large bass are there ready to strike. Muskie fishing has been great, with anglers reporting nice fish, active follows and a couple trophies over this past week. One group reported landing eight muskie in three days on Mantrap Lake while working the cabbage and coontail beds in 10-15 feet of water. Northern pike have also been biting well, with spinnerbaits, jig and minnow combinations, and flashy spoons all working well. Anglers wanting a good-sized fish should have a leader tied on since it's not uncommon for them to cut your line with their razor-sharp teeth. 800-247-0054
Detroit Lakes
Water temperatures have stabilized in the low-60s. Walleye have transitioned and now prefer mostly minnows on a jig or rig. Fish can be found in the deep basin area humps, on main lake points and deep drop-off areas, and even on the flats. The best window of time has grown shorter, and a mid-day active period has been present. Muskie are still being taken using a chunking technique, but in a week or two the sucker bite will dominate. Big Detroit, Pelican and Sallie lakes are all producing muskie sporadically this last week. Anglers have stumbled into large crappies feeding on the flats when using large minnows. Smallmouth bass are very active, hitting jigs on hard bottom areas and on the shallow flats when the wind blows. Largemouth bass are biting on the inside and outside edges of cabbage weeds--for the most fish, use a jig tipped with a minnow or minnow imitator. With some stable weather, all bites should improve. 800-542-3992
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Walleye anglers have been doing great on Otter Tail Lake. The daytime bite has been best in 20-25 feet of water, with crawlers and spinners, as well as redtails on jigs or rigs producing the most fish. Crankbaits have turned lots of fish at night when worked in depths of 3-8 feet of water. Muskie fishing enthusiasts are having a blast on West Battle Lake when using blades and bucktails in 10-20 feet of water. The crappie bite has been good on most lakes. 800-423-4571
Glenwood
Walleye activity on Lake Minnewaska remains shallow. For the most fish, use shallow-running crankbaits or jigs tipped with shiners. Northern pike are active but can also be annoying since most have been small. Bass and sunfish have started moving towards the Glenwood end of Minnewaska, transitioning to their fall and winter haunts. 320/634-3636
Whitefish
Fall fishing is fabulous in the Whitefish area. Walleye are biting at points and breaklines--start shallow at roughly 15 feet of water, and work your way deeper. Minnows are working best, but you can also try trolling cranks before and after sunset. For northern pike, try large minnows on jigs/rigs or under a bobber along the deep edge of the weedlines--work shallower waters during lowlight hours. Panfish remain within the weedy, midlake humps. The best action seems to be at roughly 30 feet of water, with worms, leeches and minnows all working well. Smaller bass are very active and hitting live bait.
Pine River
800-728-6926
Brainerd Lakes Area
Lindy rigs tipped with redtails or crawlers are producing walleye in 14-18 feet of water on Gull and North Long lakes. On Pelican Lake, check depths of 14-28 feet. Look for sunfish on the shallow weedbeds. Crappies can be found suspended over 12-20 feet of water on Gull and North Long lakes. Sucker minnows are turning northern pike on the shallow weedlines of Gull, Pelican, North Long, and Lake Edwards. Towards the city of Crosby, snap-jigging plastics in the deep holes or trolling crankbaits near the Highway 6 Bridge on the Mississippi River have produced walleye and smallmouth bass. Crappies are being caught over deep water during the day, and in depths of 12-15 feet during low-light hours on most lakes. The deep brush on East Rabbit Lake is a safe bet for sunfish. Northern pike are hitting suckers and spinnerbaits on the weedlines of Serpent and Bay lakes. Bass can be found continue to be plucked from bulrushes at Crooked Lake, Lower Mission Lake, and Bay. Trout action has picked up again for anglers using crawlers in Pennington and Manuel pits. 800-450-2838
Aitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
800-526-8342
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Fishing has really heated up on Lake Mille Lacs now that the temperatures have dropped! Trolling lead core has been very productive in the deeper waters. The shallow rocks have been good for anglers trolling #5 shad raps in firetiger, blue or yellow. Leeches and minnows under a bobber or rigged have also worked well. The muskies have turned more aggressive, with casting and trolling producing fish, especially when the moon is full! 888-350-2692
Willmar
The fall walleye bite is heating up, especially on Green, Diamond, Florida, Andrew, Nest and Eagle lakes. The best approach has been either a minnow or crawler worked in the shallower waters during lowlight hours. Bass and northern pike are also being pulled from these lakes. 800-845-8747
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls
715/483-3580
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
651/257-1177
White Bear Area Lakes
The crappies are moving in closer to the weeds on White Bear Lake, hitting crappie minnows with tube jigs. Sunfish are active on both White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes--for the most fish, hit the weeds in roughly 8 feet of water. Walleye remain active on Bald Eagle Lake around the gravel and rocks, with anglers taking the most fish when using fathead minnows and shiners. Muskie and northern pike anglers are having lots of success when working sucker minnows, blade baits, and some topwater lures at sunrise and sunset. Bass remain very active on the weedlines of both lakes, with plastic worms and jigs turning the most fish. 651/653-5122
Waconia
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, September 20, all streams seemed to be in great condition, although very low and gin clear. A nice blue-winged olive hatch was noted on Coolridge Creek last Tuesday--most were #16s. Hoppers are active as long as the sun has been out for a while. Crickets are around as well. Long-horn caddis, #14, were seen hatching on the South Fork Root this past weekend. Please note that Pine Creek could be off to muddy depending on where you are fishing due to the habitat improvement project currently underway. And remember, this is the second to the last weekend to head out! 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
Low water levels throughout the area have made it difficult to access some bodies of water. Anglers with canoes, however, have an advantage in navigating shallow depths. While the Zumbro River is also low, it has enough of a gradient to actually carve out the deeper areas allowing canoes good clearance when following the current. The water right is gin clear and the water temperatures are hovering around 60-degrees or so, down about 10-degrees from last week--the result is more aggressive and hungry fish! The fish seem to be most hungry from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and it isn't difficult to locate fish since most are congregating in the deeper holes due to the low water conditions. Earlier this week one agnlers took excellent numbers of smallmouth bass, and even realed in a huge muskie measuring roughly 44-inches. Fall colors are just beginning to emerge, however, many maples are not as brilliant due to the dry conditions. Please note that the Root River is so low that canoeing it is not even an option. 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 and walleye continue to be taken in good numbers. Walleye are still being caught by anglers pulling crankbaits in 9-12 foot depths depending on which area of the lake you are fishing. A number 5 shad rap has been very popular, especially when pulling it 80-100 feet behind the boat--color seems to vary each day. Anglers are also catching white bass, few northern pike, and even some perch using this method, with several limits reported last week. Perch anglers continue to anchor in their favorite spots, including the Rocky Ledge area, Cramer's Resort, Whiskey House, Bayview, Grapevine and Goose Isle. While the bait hasn't seemed to matter, getting the presentation on the bottom does. Expect some bluegill, as well as an occasional crappie. 800-568-5722
