Explore Minnesota Fishing Report September 6, 2013 Anglers continue to take nice numbers of walleyes in many areas of the state. A warm Friday afternoon is in store with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Saturday and Sunday will turn cooler as a weak cool front passes through. Fall is near, and this the best time of the year to catch fish in both quantity and quality. Expect minnows to be the clear bait of choice. Please remember that the smallmouth bass season is "catch-and-release" statewide beginning September 9th and running through February 23, 2014.
This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism, with information provided by statewide tourism organizations and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Rainy Lake walleye are switching to a preference for minnows vs. crawlers and leeches. Walleyes can still be found in concentrations on the submerged humps, but also on some of the muddy flats. Slowly trolling a spinner rig is working best. Smallmouth bass and crappies have been hard to find, but once found, expect plenty of action. For large northern pike, hit the weedy edges of Black and Cranberry bays. Walleye fishing near Ranier Rapids continues to be good, as does below the dam at International Falls on the Rainy River. Smallmouth action has also been good below the dam. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Anglers have been faring well using a jig and minnow combination, as well as slip sinker rigs, with good numbers of walleyes, sauger and pike being taken. The reef edges and structure changes in depths of 25-30 feet should put you in the walleye/sauger range. The weed edges into the shallow bays are a good choice for northern pike until the water cools. As fish transition to more fall-like temperatures and reduced daylight, expect minnows to be the clear bait of choice. A strong second will be artificial lures; work the shorelines down to 30 feet of water. All species of fish will soon be on a feeding frenzy in preparation for the winter; some of the season's best fishing is yet to come. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
Grab a dozen crawlers and a scoop of fatheads and head to the lake for some fun fishing action. Walleyes continue to please anglers using spinner rigs tipped with either a crawler or minnow in 10-25 feet of water. Trolling remains the best method to take advantage of the continued walleye bite. Covering more ground allows you to find the structure that's holding fish. Once you locate fish, continue to work the area since where there's one fish there will surely be more. Rock piles submerged in 10 feet of water or more has been the most productive. Crappies continue to be found suspended in the water column from 5-12 feet off the bottom in at least 20 feet of water. Jigs with soft bait tails are working well when searching for schools. Once located, switch to a bobber. Northern pike are hanging out on the submerged islands and points leading to deeper water. Anglers having the most success are trolling or casting spoons and spinner baits, as well as dropping a sucker under a bobber. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
The inland lakes are producing good numbers of fish including walleyes, bass, northern pike and brook trout. On Two Island and Devil Track lakes, both located very close to Grand Marais, the walleyes have been very active, especially during morning and evening hours. Fish are schooling in 12-18 feet of water, hitting trolled leeches and crawler rigs. Poplar Lake, also on the Gunflint Trail, is giving up good numbers of walleyes and northern pike. Smallmouth bass are active virtually everywhere, with excellent reports recently coming from Hungry Jack, Sawbill and Tait lakes. On Lake Superior, the lake trout and coho salmon are actively hitting watermelon lures, with one lucky angler pulling in a 38-pound laker!
www.visitCookCounty.comDuluth/Grand Marais -Lake Superior
As of September 5, the Lower Shore of Lake Superior, from Duluth to Two Harbors, fishing was moderate near the McQuade and Knife River accesses, and heavy near Two Harbors. Water temperatures were near 70 degrees at times, and rough winds often affected fishing. Most of the fish caught were lake trout, along with a few chinook salmon and steelhead trout. The lake trout generally weighed less than 3-pounds. Anglers near McQuade caught most of the fish in the top 40 feet of water by trolling spoons. For anglers near Two Harbors, trolling was relatively unproductive, whereas jigging with jigs that mimicked smelt started to produce fish in 100-150 feet depths at the humps and other structure. Fishing effort has been moderate to heavy at most stations along the Upper Shore when weather permitted, with strong winds hindering some anglers. Water temperatures have been variable, with average surface readings in the upper 50s and lower 60s. Angler catches were fair from Twin Points to Silver Bay over the Holiday Weekend. Most of the fish were 20-26 inch chinooks and 18-20 inch cohos. One Silver Bay chinook weighed over 17-pounds. Anglers caught fair numbers of 11- to 15-inch cohos and chinooks, plus a few 16-inch pink salmon. Anglers caught a few more lakers than in previous weeks, and some 5- to 15-pound fish were taken. The lakers are beginning to move closer to shore, although most recent laker catches have been offshore. Anglers have caught just a few 24- to 26-inch steelhead, indicating the spurt in steelhead catches may be slowing down. Anglers from the Grand Marais area reported similar results.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/lakesuperiorGrand Rapids
Bluegills and crappies hoave been a popular target recently, most likely due to warm water conditions having turned other species sluggish. Anglers having the most success are using a mud bug or doodle bug tipped with a piece of artificial worm in 6 feet of water with thick vegetation. Expect lots of fun, exciting action!
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lake of the Woods continues to produce good numbers of walleyes. Trolled crankbaits in "no man's land" out in the deep mud in 34 feet of water continues to produce lots of fish. Anglers are starting to transition over to live bait, with crawler harnesses and jigging with minnows producing more fish. Areas to check out include 26 feet of water in front of Zippel Bay and Morris Point, and in 30 feet of water in front of the Lighthouse Gap and numerous reefs near Long Point. At the Northwest Angle, reports of good walleye fishing continue to come from anglers fishing north of Garden Island around Little Oak Island and Oak Island. Check out both reefs and the deeper mud off the reefs using crawler harnesses with pink and/or gold blades. Also try jigging a minnow in 10-20 feet of water. Muskies are also active. Anglers are having success using spinners, as well as twitch baits that can be stopped and suspended. The rock points, saddles and scattered red cabbage areas have been best, with anglers catching and releasing lots of 40-inch fish, as well as many measuring 50- to 52-inches. Roughly 50% of muskies are being taken by anglers using a figure eight pattern. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Until the fall cool down begins, anglers will need to fish during in morning and evening hours for species such as walleyes, muskies and crappies. Northern pike, bass, perch and sunfish, however, are all good day biters so anglers have plenty of options during the day. Walleyes have been feeding on the sides of the structure, both shoreline and mid-lake structure of many area lakes. Run your electronics along the structure and look for areas with baitfish and larger marks on the sonar. Once you locate some active walleyes, drop live bait rigs with leeches, nightcrawlers or larger minnows. Perch have been active in 5-8 feet of water. The best presentation is a 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jig with a fathead minnow. 800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
Anglers report taking walleyes from 15 feet of water on Pike Bay Lake. The best approach has been a crawler and pink spinner bait. During evening hours, use shad raps and rapalas along the weed lines. Cass Lake has been producing walleyes in shallower depths, with fish coming from roughly 8-12 feet of water. Weather has been exceptional, and it looks like this amazing weather pattern will stick around through next week! 800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
The Lake Winnibigoshish walleye bite remains very good. A few more weed fish are showing up in the shallow waters, hitting jigs tipped with half a crawler or a minnow. Look to 5-8 foot depths and play the wind. Weed beds surround the lake so it hasn't been hard to find fish. Bar fishing remains slow, with a few larger fish caught here and there. Evening trollers are taking fish just outside of the weed beds on smaller crankbaits. Perch fishing has been spotty as fish become more mobile. The deeper fish seem to have moved in just a bit. A few perch are coming from shallower waters, however lots of smaller fish have been mixed in with the larger fish. Northern pike remain very aggressive, with large fish attacking minnows. Another great approach has been to quickly troll larger crankbaits; travel fast at roughly 3- to 4-mph.www.lakewinnie.net
Walker - Leech Lake
Normal September temperatures are expected to heat up action on Leech Lake this week. During the hot spell, some anglers still found walleyes during the day on the humps in Walker Bay and in the main lake at the Snake Pit Flats area. During evening hours, fish were found when trolling shad raps on the Walker Bay and main lake breaks. The best presentations for active fish were pulling a crawler rig or jigging a minnow. The jumbo perch bite has been limited, with a variety of sizes being reported. Many muskies were being caught and released by anglers throwing bucktails at the Portage Bay cabbage weed beds and in the rocky areas around Mokey Reef. 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
Fall is near, and this the best time of the year to catch fish in quantity and quality. Most species reach their peak weights in September, feeding heavily in preparation for the winter. Walleyes will move to the shallows to feed early in the morning and near dusk. For the most action, use 1/4-ounce glow jig with a 3-inch white twister tail. Live bait is not necessary, but tipping it with a fathead minnow won’t hurt. If possible, use the wind to drift a submerged weedline out from the pencil reeds; the pencil reeds generally grow where the lake bottom is hard and sandy and this is also the preferred habitat for walleyes. The largest northern pike will soon leave their summer haunts, headed for shallower cabbage weed stands in 6-12 feet of water. For a trophy fish, try trolling the weedlines with a crankbait, especially on days when the wind is moving the surface of the water. Largemouth bass fishing has been phenomenal, and deep-diving crankbaits worked slowly are producing some very large fish. Look for long, deep running points near the deepest areas of the lake since this is where the biggest of the bunch should be congregating. Also check the lily pads; dying lily pads repel bass so look for those that are the healthiest. Reports of nice 13- to 15-inch crappies are coming from anglers fishing Mantrap Lake, as well as the Fish Hook Chain of Lakes. Use your electronics and watch for fish stacked up in depths of 5-35 feet.Success will be found on the subtle points protruding into the deep surrounding waters. A 1/8-ounce flu-flu jig tipped with a crappie minnow will work best. For lots of nice bluegills, hit the cabbage weed stands in depths of 8-12 feet using a small insect-like jig and worm. Don’t put your boat in storage just yet, the best fishing is just about to begin! 800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.com Detroit Lakes
Water temperatures should remain just above 70-degrees for the next week or so due to lingering warm air temperatures. Walleyes are still holding off of the sharp breaks, long points and mid-lake structure in 18-26 feet of water. Their preferred choice of food changes almost daily. Muskie anglers continue to cast over the weed flats for the most action, with no signs of switching over to sucker minnows anytime soon. Panfish anglers are enjoying fast action in depths of 9-12 feet of water at the tops of weeds. For the most action, use small jigs and hooks with pieces of crawler on Tamarac, Height of Land, Rock and some of the other smaller area lakes. Largemouth bass action has been very good on Cotton, Floyd's, McDonald's, Melissa and Big Toad lakes. Smallmouth bass action is expected to pick up once water temperatures cool a bit. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Glenwood
Sunnies remain scattered on Lake Minnewaska, but once located they have been nice-sized. Use waxworms and small jigs for the most panfish. Bass have also been scattered. Anglers are reporting the most success during early morning hours when running spinnerbaits through the shallows. The bass are heading deeper as the morning progresses. Northern pike have been active throughout the day, hitting trolled crankbaits in 5-8 feet of water. Walleye action has been very slow. Anglers that are taking fish have been using live bait after dark. Lake Miltona has had the best walleye bite. 320/634-3636
Whitefish - Whitefish Chain of Lakes Region
Water temperatures have cooled a bit, so fishing should pick up yet this week. Walleye anglers continue to take fish on lindy rigs with leeches or crawlers. Redtail and shiners are starting to produce some fish. Early morning hours and around sundown are the best times to fish. Northern pike anglers are having success using jigs tipped with a large minnow in 20-plus feet of water. Also consider trolling deep divers or a spinnerbait for some large fish. Lots of smaller bass are coming from the shallows on a plastic or spinner; the larger bass are holding in deeper waters. For the largest fish, work the outside edge of the weedbeds using jumbo leeches or minnows. Crappies and sunnies can be found using lindy rigs with leeches or crawlers in 20-22 feet of water.
www.whitefish.orgPine River
Lakes in the Pine River area continue to produce huge bass and northern pike, as well as lots of smaller fish! Panfishing remains hot on the deeper, off-shore bars and humps. Sunfish have been hovering at the base of thick weedbeds, and crappies can be found moving along the same structure during early morning and late evening hours. Walleye action has been sporadic, but fish are being pulled from 20-35 feet of water by anglers using spinner rigs with a leech or nightcrawler. Some walleyes are also being taken from weedbeds; while tougher to fish, they are there. Try a crankbait or deep-running spinnerbait in yellow or white for the best response. 800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comBrainerd
Fishing in the Brainerd Lakes Area has been going great, with lots of walleyes, bass, northern pike and panfish being taken. Most guides have been heading out onto Gull and North Long lakes for the best fishing. Walleyes are showing up a bit deeper which is a sign that the fall bite is very close; always an exciting time of year! The most productive technique is currently a nice creek chub or redtail on a lindy rig, and since lots of species will respond to lindy rigs this generally makes for a fun fishing outing. For the most action, use your electronics to locate schools of fish. If you’re looking for bass and panfish, be sure to hit the deeper weed edges. For bass, use a small jig and power worm. Tube baits have also been producing fish. Panfish are in the same areas but a bobber rigged with a small white tube will catch the most sunnies and crappies; suspend the bait about 10 feet down for the most fish. 800-450-7247;
www.visitbrainerd.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Many anglers report a tougher bite on Lake Mille Lacs compared to the past few weeks, however, this is pretty typical for the end of August/beginning of September timeframe. Anglers having the most success are using leeches and slip bobbers during evening hours. A few fish are also being taken by anglers using crankbaits during the same time of day. Be sure to concentrate on the deep water adjacent to the mud flats and on the deep rock piles around the south end. During the midday, hit the deeper waters between the gravel bars and also in-between the mud flats since these areas generally hold nice numbers of fish. The best presentation has been to troll small crankbaits through 27-34 foot depths well off the bars, although leeches and crawlers will work in these areas as well as long as you slow down a bit. Muskie action remains best on the north end of Mille Lacs. Surface water temperatures are holding in the low 70's. Please remember that the smallmouth bass season is "catch-and-release" statewide beginning September 9th and running through February 23, 2014. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
Anglers are having success with the walleye on Green Lake. Anglers are taking walleyes when using leeches and crawlers in the deeper parts of the lake, such as 30-40 feet deep. Panfishing remains great on lakes such as Diamond, Eagle, Green, Games, George, Florida and Andrew. The forecast calls for sunny and warm temperatures; a great to grab some bait and hit the lakes! 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of late last week, reports indicated a heavy rainfall during morning hours. Stream conditions were fine before this event, and by 1:00 p.m., conditions were generally clear and normal for most area streams and rivers. Most of the rain fell in a strip that extended from Rochester to St. Charles and down to Rushford and Caledonia. Trico spinner falls were observed on the South Branch Root River and North Branch Whitewater River. Hopper populations were spotty, ranging from non-existent to very abundant. Aquatic vegetation was minimal due to flooding on many streams earlier this year. As updates on stream conditions become available they will be posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
Now that summer has finally arrived, the fish have turned aggressive. Water levels are low in some areas, further concentrating the fish in the deeper pool areas and rocky shorelines. Conditions have been perfect on area streams and rivers; the water is so clear, however, you need to be careful not to spook the fish! The clarity is so good that it is enjoyable just to sit and watch all the fish moving around. Lots of muskies have been visible, and they appear to measure at least 40 inches on up to 50 inches. On one guided trip, a muskie followed the canoe for at least 3 or 4 minutes. Toward the end of the day, the group saw a huge and heavy muskie estimated to measure at least 45- to 50-inches. Smallmouth bass were attacking lures nearly all day long. The average size was roughly 14 inches, with larger fish measuring 16- to 18-inches taken toward the end of the day. Various plastic baits, stickbaits and special flies were irresistible to these fish. 800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.org Fairmont Area Lakes
Hall Lake crappies have been biting, with most of these fish coming from the rocks on minnows worked in 6 feet of water. Bluegills remain active on the shorelines, hitting waxworms in less than 6 feet of water. Budd Lake fishing has been similar to fishing on Hall Lake, however, the best rock piles are in depths of 6-12 feet. On Sisseton Lake, bluegills remain shallow, with some nice bass coming from under the docks. On North Silver Lake, lots of smaller perch and bluegills are being reported--great entertainment for the kids. And on Tuttle Lake, a couple of walleyes were recently reported by anglers casting jigs and plastics. 800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Big Stone Lake surprised many anglers last week, with great reports from nearly everyone who ventured out! One trio of anglers worked the lake each day, anchoring on their favorite perch spots early in the morning, resting in the afternoon, and then pulling crankbaits during late afternoon and evening hours. They took home three limits of perch, bluegill, crappies and even walleyes! Anglers continue to anchor on the traditional hot spots such as the Grape Vine, BayView, Windmill Reef and Mallard Pointe. The best approach has been to a dangle a few spikes, piece of night crawler or a minnow on the bottom to entice the perch. Crappies and bluegills should also respond. Some avid anglers are pulling jointed #5 shad raps through the middle of the lake, taking limits of perch in just a couple of hours. These fish are mostly 10-inches in length, with many in the 11-inch range. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
