Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update, Oct. 10, 2014 Angling pressure has been very light, yet the walleye bite has picked up considerably now that water temperatures have dropped to more normal mid-October levels. Fish continue to respond best to minnows. In addition to great fall fishing, enjoy peak fall color in many areas of the state this week and weekend!
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.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye anglers are reporting a strong run of walleye in the Rainy River, with jigging or slowly trolling an emerald shiner minnow working best. Meanwhile, Rainy Lake anglers are finding crappies when using smaller minnows in Black and Cranberry bays. Large northern pike are also being pulled from these bays. For walleyes, hit the submerged reefs; for smallmouth bass, check the rocky shorelines on the south side of the lake. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Fall weather has settled in and fish are in exhibiting fall patterns on Lake Kabetogama. Anglers report that most species, including walleyes, saugers and perch are actively hitting jig and minnow combinations. Northern pike are not as active, but should soon enter a feeding frenzy. Large bass have become more aggressive; please remember that they are now catch-and-release only. This week’s cool temperatures should keep the action high. For the most action, hit the reefs or shorelines in 28-35 feet of water using jigs with rainbows or fatheads. Another good option is to troll artificial lures on either side of 28 foot depths. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly Area Lakes
The water temperatures have dropped further, and the walleye bite has really picked up! Walleyes have become increasingly active in depths of 11-20 feet. Jig and minnow or spinner combinations are producing good numbers in depths of 15-20 feet. Some folks are also doing well when using deep-running crankbaits. Crappies are bunching up in the deeper drop-offs. A lively chub fished near the bottom or suspended just above the bottom has worked well for numbers of crappies; use a fish finder to see where the fish are holding. Northern pike are aggressive, hitting larger crankbaits and spoons in waters a bit deeper than usual. These deeper waters are likely where the prey can be found. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgDuluth/Grand Marais - Lake Superior
As of Oct. 2, angling pressure was light again along Lake Superior’s Lower Shore from Duluth to Two Harbors. Anglers continued to fish in 100-120 feet of water closer to shore, with fish found suspended on cloudy days, or tight to the bottom on sunny days. Fishing was best early in morning. Anglers caught very few chinook salmon and virtually no coho salmon, however, eight brown trout and 3 steelhead were caught in the Knife River Trap. Fishing pressure from the Twin Points to Hovland was moderate to heavy at most stations. Anglers took few chinook salmon, and no coho or pink salmon were reported. The tributaries again seemed devoid of salmon. Some smaller tributaries were beach blocked due to low flows which is normal for late summer to early fall. Please note that the Lake Trout season ended on Oct. 5, and will re-open Dec. 1.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/lakesuperiorNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lake of the Woods is giving up nice limits of walleyes and sauger. Garden Island continues to produce fish in 15-25 feet of water. The best bet is to drift with hammered gold spinners tipped with crawlers or leeches. Other walleyes are moving shallow towards the Rainy River. The best approach here is to jig with a frozen shiner or live minnow during midday hours in 20-30 feet of water in front of the Lighthouse Gap, Pine Island, or Zippel Bay. Depths of 26-30 feet are also giving up fish at Long Point. On the Rainy River, the bite is heating up as more shiners run through river. Jig and minnow combinations have been best in 18 feet of water, especially during afternoon and evening hours. Anglers are also taking fish when trolling crankbaits through 10-20 feet of water. At the Northwest Angle, gold jigs with minnows are producing walleyes in 18-25 feet near Little Oak Island. The best locations are the deep water points adjacent to the bays where large numbers of fish are being taken. Anglers report a mixed bag of fish when working the shorelines and reef areas. Muskie anglers are having success, with trolling starting to turn some fish. The rock points, reefs and weed bed areas have been good. Please note that the image above is of a Lake Sturgeon caught and released during a fall charter fishing trip on Lake of the Woods; sturgeon are catch-and-release only through April, 2015. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comCass Lake
Fishing remains great, but the number of anglers venturing out has dropped significantly. Some very nice-sized walleyes were pulled from Cass Lake during the Cystic Fibrosis Fishing Tournament last weekend. Minnows were clearly the bait of choice. 800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comWalker -Leech Lake
The traditional fall jig and minnow bite is in full swing on Leech Lake. Look to wind-driven points such as Pine, Hardwoods and Ottertail to put keeper-size fish in the boat. For the larger fish, use larger minnows at the humps and shoreline breaks in 25-35 feet of water in Walker Bay. Perch action is heating up, with the Walker Narrows, Sand Point and Grand View Flats kicking out perch as well as a few walleyes throughout the day. As water temperatures drop, the muskies have started their move to areas just off the breaklines and in the shallows. Other areas to check out include the remaining green weeds, shallow rocks, sandy areas, and the reeds. While conditions will dictate which bait to use, soft plastics, crankbaits and even topwater lures are working well. This is also a great time for live bait rigging sucker minnows since this technique can lead to the most exciting action when muskie fishing. 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comDetroit Lakes Area Lakes
Water temperatures are in the low 50s in Detroit Lakes area lakes, and continuing to drop with the cooler than average air temperatures. High winds have made fishing challenging at times, but it looks like winds will be much calmer this weekend and into next week. Walleyes have been active on many area lakes. Two patterns exist: one is jig and minnow bite in 9-14 feet of water (fish away from the boat by pitching or ripping), and the other is deep water fishing by rigging or jigging larger minnows in 20-35 foot depths. Large northern pike have been active on the deep edges of the sharp breaks off the cabbage weeds. Smallmouth bass action remains strong on Lida, Island, Cormorant and White Earth lakes. Most fish are relating to the rock piles. Please remember that smallmouth bass are catch-and-release only until Feb. 22, 2015. Jigging with minnows or plastics along the diminishing weed edges is working well for largemouth bass. Muskie anglers are enjoying an amazing bite! Many fish are being caught by slowly trolling large sucker minnows under bobbers along the edges of the flats, especially on Big Detroit and Pelican lakes. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Country
The fishing has been excellent the past few weeks. Walleyes continue to feed heavily, trying to bulk up before the snow flies. For the moat action, use bright colors to compensate for tinted waters. Don’t be afraid to use large minnows and baits. Panfish have moved to deeper waters, and it’s not uncommon to find them in 20-30 feet of water, especially in lakes where the maximum depth is around 30 feet. Horizontal presentations are often best to locate schools of panfish. Once found, toss a marker and switch to a vertical presentation such as a 1/32- or 1/16-ounce jig. Bass are responding to larger lures such as large plastics and spinnerbaits worked at the weed edges near drop offs. Otter Tail Lakes Country offers bands and groves of maple trees that are stunning, and there’s no better place to view bright fall colors then from a boat! 800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comAlexandria Area Lakes
Anglers report excellent walleye fishing on lakes throughout the Alexandria area, and this is one of the best times to catch a true trophy walleye. The best approach has been to vertically jig a 3/8-ounce jig and minnow. Try to hook your minnow of choice through the mouth and out behind the head since this will reduce the number of missed fish and keep your bait lively. Target the points or steep breaks near these deep holes; the shallow lakes are often best. 800-235-9441;
www.vacationalexandriamn.comGarrison/Isle -Lake Mille Lacs
As of late last week, St. Alban's Bay and the north end of Lake Mille Lacs were kicking out a few nice fish. Stay within the first 1/2 mile from shore for your best shot at a late season walleye. Anglers fishing the south end of the lake should concentrate on Tundra, Graveyard and Hennepin Island as each has given up some nice walleyes as well. Leeches or rainbows have worked as well as any live bait. Angling pressure has been very light. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
While not many people are venturing out, those that have report lots of active fish. Eagle Lake is becoming the most popular lake for walleyes, with nice numbers also coming from the north end of Green Lake. Willmar and Foot lakes can also be counted on for a few fish, especially when fishing off the pier by Rau Park. Jig and minnow combinations, and live bait rigs tipped with a crawler or a minnow have been best. Anglers are finding success using a slow presentation. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Oct. 9, most area streams and rivers were clear with a normal water flow. Fisheries staff were finding lots of blue-winged olives on the Middle Branch and North Branch Whitewater stretches. Fish were rising. There have also been some crickets making a ruckus on the dry gravel bars. Most trout were in great condition, and very heavy for their length. The catch-and-release season for trout closes on Oct. 15. As further 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
Fishing was excellent until the cold front hit last weekend. Up until the front, lots of perch and even some bluegill, green sunfish and a nice crappie or two were being taken. This coming weekend offers more stable conditions, and fishing should heat up for most species. Even the walleye bite should improve. All of the popular angler spots were still producing fish, including Manhattan Reef, Goose Isle, Grape Vine Reef, the Bay View area, and Windmill Reef. Hopefully there will be a rebound in action when the temperatures and wind settle into a more pleasant pattern this weekend. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
