Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update, Aug. 15, 2014 Walleyes are exhibiting summer behavior. Most of the action has been early and late in the day, and when the wind blows during the middle of the day. During midday hours, anglers are doing well with various species at the weed beds. The forecast calls for stable weather conditions and highs in the 80s for most of the state this weekend, perfect for any activity out on the water!
Consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Basics web page for the most current information on seasons and regulations. 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
Smallmouth bass anglers are pre-fishing for the upcoming International Falls Bass Championship held Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 21-23. Of course, no one has been talking about the best bass techniques and locations. Walleye anglers, however, are eager to talk about the many fine walleyes coming from the submerged reefs throughout Rainy Lake. Leeches and minnows are the preferred bait, especially when worked in 25-35 feet of water. Anglers also report taking some large northern pike from areas near the submerged reefs. Some of the hottest spots are between Grindstone Island and the Brule Narrows; those fishing east of the Brule will probably do best closer to Kettle Falls. Rainy River walleyes continue to hit both above and below the Ranier Rapids, below the dam at International Falls, and near the mouth of the Little Fork River. In these areas, work areas with a current, avoiding aresa with the strongest current. Also try depths of 12-20 feet of water at a bend in the river, troll slowly against the current with a spinner rig and shiner minnow. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Anglers are having the most success when hitting the water between 6:30 & 7 a.m., and working slip sinkers with leeches or crawlers in depths of 20-28 feet at the reefs and shorelines with structure. Anglers wanting to try their luck fishing during late morning and mid-day hours should troll artificials through 12-18 foot depths, or troll lead line through 25-30 foot depths. From 5 p.m. until dark, the best action is again at the reefs, and in the shallow water areas when pitching small jigs with a leech or half a crawler close to shore or at the weed edges. Also consider fishing off the docks or from shore using a lighted bobber and minnow after dark. Expect walleyes to move a bit deeper this week, as the water continues to warm. Northern pike are becoming more active, with several trophy-size fish being taken. Smallmouth bass action may be the best it’s been this summer! Anglers report sauger and perch taking walleye offerings. Crappies are suspended, but difficult to locate. And on clear nights, listen to the loons, and keep an eye to the sky for stunning views of the Northern Lights! 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly Area Lakes
Fishing remains good on most area lakes. Walleyes are exhibiting summer behavior, feeding early and late in the day. During the middle of the day, anglers are doing well with other species. Nice-sized sunfish in the 7- to 9-inch range are aggressively hitting small jigs tipped with a live wax worm or artificial bait. Small, soft baits on a jig will work well too. Crappies are hitting small minnows on the flats in depths of 12 feet or less during evening hours. Northern pike are attacking spoons, spinner baits, and large crank baits worked in 3-15 feet of water. A live sucker under a bobber also works well for these fresh water barracudas. Lake trout will strike during the day when tempted with either spoons or slender crankbaits worked in 40-55 feet of water. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgGrand Rapids
Fishing in the Grand Rapids area continues to heat up. Good to great reports are coming in from most area lakes, including Pokegama, Trout, and Splithand. Anglers pulling crankbaits on Big Winnie and Cutfoot Sioux lakes are taking walleyes and northern pike, with some trophy-size fish in the mix. For the most walleyes, use crankbaits over the shallow bars and weeds. A jig and minnow fished on the sliding slopes of midlake structure has also worked well. Smallmouth and largemouth bass continue to be very aggressive, hitting spinnerbaits and even jig and minnow combinations when casted near the submerged rocks or weedy islands. Panfish have been active during evening hours near the weedlines, dropping deeper during the day.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
A variety of methods are working this week. Good reports are coming from anglers down-rigging and pulling spinners, with limits and quite a few trophy-size walleyes being taken. Some guides are concentrating on depths of 22-24 feet of water in waters north to Garden Island, West Bar and Hay Island. Others are working depths of 14-20 feet near the Lighthouse Gap. Hammered gold spinners with a leech or crawler are best. On the Rainy River, afternoon and evening fishing is producing nice limits. Walleyes are active in 15-17 feet of water, hitting 1-ounce jigs and spinners. Sturgeon numbers have been good just off the currents near deep pockets and adjacent streams. Up at the Northwest Angle, anglers pulling spinners are doing well in 22-30 feet of water near Little Oak and the Four Blocks. For the most action, use crawlers and gold or chartreuse colors. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comCass Lake
Perch have been active on Cass Lake, with good numbers being taken. Walleye action has slowed a bit but anglers continue to take some fish. Water temperatures are hovering around 76 degrees, and the weather has been exceptional! 800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comHackensack Area Lakes
Most walleyes are still coming in on spinners and crawlers worked on Leech and other area lakes. For the most fish, located the flats or edges where you can make a long drift or run; 1-1.5 mph is probably the best speed. Keep an eye on your electronics for areas of schooled fish. Bass fishing remains great, and the thicker the weeds, the better the fishing. Launch weedless frogs as far as you can, and be ready to go after fish with the boat. Smallmouth bass are hanging off the first edge of the rocks, and at times cruising the shallows. Pull a shallow-running crankbait across the flats, crossing the first breakline and banging the rocks as you go for the most action. Topwater baits should also work well. Crappie fishing is still very good at sundown. The best approach is to troll minnows or plastics at the deeper edges of the tall weeds. Muskie fishing also remains great, and the reports just keep getting better. The best reports are coming from the rock structure, weed edges and points, with bucktails, topwater, jerkbaits, bulldawgs and crankbaits all working well. 800-279-6932;
www.hackensackchamber.comPark Rapids
The lakes are full of prey so fish can be selective on what they choose to eat. Luckily, amazing weather conditions are expected to hold, making it easy and enjoyable to be out on the water. Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the low to mid 80s this weekend! Walleye action has slowed a bit, but two methods continue to trigger these fish. The first is to pull a light-weight lindy style rig with a leech or crawler through 4-9 feet of water along the edge of the pencil reeds. White or lime green have been the best producing colors. The other effective method is to hit the deep-running points and sunken islands while trolling deep-diving, shad-style crankbaits. Large northern pike are at the bottom of the thermocline in 15-20 feet of water at the thick cabbage weed stands. Deep-diving 8- to 10-inch crankbaits generally entice a strike. Reel fast until your lure is at the desired depth, and then slow the action to make it appear like an easy meal. Panfish remain active, with most fish coming from the deep growing cabbage weed stands on flu flu-style jigs tipped with a worm or crappie minnow. 800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes Area Lakes
Walleyes are scattered and several patterns exist. In the deeper, clearer lakes, walleyes are holding off the mid-lake structure in 24-32 feet of water. Most of these fish are responding to spinners and slow death rigs, minnow raps, and lead line crankbait fishing. Area lakes that are stained or have active algae blooms generally produce fish in shallower depths, with jig and minnow combinations, and live bait rigs with minnows, leeches and crawlers working best in depths of 12-18 feet. Mid-lake structure and long extending points into main lake areas are the best locations, especially when they are wind swept. Larger crappies are hitting small jigs tipped with minnows or plastics, especially when rip jigged. Sunfish continue to bite in or near weeds on all area lakes. The nicest sized fish have been holding in deeper waters off the outside edges of the weeds. Bass anglers are having success when casting to the flats and docks with jigs and plastics. Northern pike are chasing spoons, crankbaits, and large sucker minnows worked on the outside edges of cabbage patches. Water temperatures dropped again in the Detroit Lakes area, hovering in the low 70s earlier this week. Fortunately, muskie will be less vulnerable during catch and release. WE fest is over and the crowds and lake traffic have slowed considerably. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Country
Anglers are finding walleyes in three major zones this week: the deep waters, the weed line/drop-offs, and the shallow upper edges. If you are only catching smaller walleyes and perch, then it’s time to move or switch lakes. Most species are very willing to eat right now, so if you locate a school you will likely catch a fish or two. Panfish and bass are still active in and around the weeds, both shallow and near drop-off edges, especially the deep weed edges in 20-25 foot depths. Most of the recent walleye action has been in the deeper area lakes with basins measuring 20-35 feet deep. For walleye fishing on lakes with shallow basins, concentrate on weed clumps, weedlines, and hard bottom areas. It’s common to find feeding walleyes in 6-10 feet of water all summer long in these shallow lakes. Most fish species can be located using heavy weight systems like bottom bouncers and spinner rigs tipped with minnows or crawlers. Once you get a bite or catch the right species of fish, fine-tune your rigging to better suit the species. Remember to toss out visual markers when you find a good spot with a school of fish. Using a visual aid is a lot easier than trying to keep track of your GPS trail. 800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comPine River
Fish in the Pine River area are exhibiting summer patterns. Largemouth bass and northern pike are especially active at the deep stretches of strong weedlines. Anglers having the most success are using crankbaits, deep-running spinnerbaits, live bait rigs and plastics. Don’t be surprised if you catch a few walleyes as well. Most of the walleyes have dropped to their summertime haunts off sunken islands and rock piles, with the most action during low light hours and on windy days. Leeches and nightcrawlers have been best when worked in 17-35 feet of water. 800-728-6926;
http://www.pinerivermn.comBrainerd Lakes Area
The best walleye bite has been on Round, North Long, and Whitefish lakes. Anglers report lots of smaller walleyes some days, and some nice-sized fish on other days. The majority of quality walleyes are coming from 15-21 feet of water on fireball jigs and fathead minnows worked close to the weed edges. The mid-lake humps and islands are holding fish, along with some shoreline points, turns, and breaklines. Use the wind when you can, especially when it's consistently blowing. Fish have been mixed together, with bass, northern pike, walleyes, sunfish and crappies often in the same weed beds. Look for the most bass, pike and walleyes at the deep weedlines, and the crappies and sunnies on top of the weeds. Panfish are responding best to light bobber setups. 800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Most of the anglers fishing Lake Mille Lacs this week are either pursuing muskies and northern pike, or bobber fishing for walleyes during evening hours. The bite remains sporadic, with a fair number of smaller walleyes being taken. For the most walleyes, stick to leeches under a bobber, or deep-water trolling using crayfish and perch-colored patterns. Smallmouth bass action remains good in 8-15 feet of water. For the most action, use a leech and slip bobber, or a mid-sized plastic such as a fluke or tube. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
Anglers have found that while it’s a bit harder to find fish with June lake water temperatures in mid-August, when you do, they are actively biting. Eagle and Diamond lakes are giving up sunnies, crappies and a few walleyes in 10-15 foot depths. Depths of 30-35 feet are producing sunnies, crappies and walleyes on Green Lake. Lakes Andrew and Florida are giving up northern pike, in addition to good numbers of sunfish, crappies, bass, and a few walleyes. Panfish anglers will also want to check out Point, Henderson, George and Elkhorn lakes. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Waconia
Lake Waconia bass have been very active, with multiple depths and techniques working well. With the August algae bloom, it's best to throw topwater baits such as scum frogs into the shallows, especially early in the morning--it’s always exciting to have a lunker largemouth slam your bait at the surface! Anglers should also try leeches in the weeds or at the weed edges in 10-15 feet of water. Areas to check out include North, Center, Pillsbury and Cemetery reefs. Texas-rigged worms, jigs and spinnerbaits are also producing some fish. Sunnies and crappies remain active at the weeds in 8-14 feet around Coney Island. Reefs with strong weeds may also produce fish. For sunnies, use a waxworm or piece of night crawler; for crappies, turn to crappie minnows. Walleyes and northern pike have been more active this summer than in previous years. The majority of fish are being taken during low-light hours. Areas to check out include Kegs, Anderson's and North reefs, as well as the area between the marinas. Weed action continues, with more fish coming from the weedlines than the deep water. While some nice-size fish are being reported, expect to do some sorting since most of the walleyes have been under the Lake Waconia 16-inch size limit. As for the northern pike, anglers have taking fish when bobber fishing with sucker minnows, using artificials such as spinnerbaits, and when trolling with crankbaits or spoons. 952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Monday, Aug. 11 and Thursday, Aug. 14, most area streams and rivers were clear, with normal water levels. Last Saturday, August 19, a new area fisheries biologist discovered why southeast Minnesota trout streams are so special after catching a 24-inch brown trout on the South Fork Root using a black bunny leech; on Sunday, he caught a 14-inch brook trout on Bee Creek! The week earlier, tricos were reported on the South Branch Root River in Forestville State Park, and some caddis were observed on Forestville Creek. As updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. You are also welcome to call the office for updates at 507-467-2442. Before traveling, please check out the new detailed fishing easement maps. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Both the quality and quantity of Big Stone Lake perch have been superb, with anglers and guides predicting that perch action will remain strong through the end of August! Manhattan Reef, Goose Isle, Grapevine, BayView, and Windmill Reef all are kicking out fish. While methods differ, the key is to keep the presentation simple and keep it just off the bottom. Some anglers are finding walleyes, but it can be a long process to get them to bite. The white bass are active, especially when there is a little wind at the points. These fish can be aggressive fighters, providing children with an exciting fishing experience. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
