Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, September 19
In general, walleyes and muskies are becoming more aggressive.
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Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, most reefs on the east end of the lake are producing walleyes on minnows worked in depths of 34-38 feet. Minnows are also turning walleyes in 28-32 feet of water throughout Sand Bay. Black Bay is kicking out crappies and walleyes in the shallows. Work the weedlines in Lost and Cranberry bays using large minnows for northern pike.
Grand Rapids
Crappie and bluegill action remains strong on Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux lakes in depths of 18-24 feet. Rice and Little Splithand lakes have been good for crappies in 8-10 feet of water. On Lake Pokegama, walleyes and pike are roaming the deep weed edges. The weedlines of Bass Lake, and the “hot water” area of the Mississippi River are safe bets for bluegills.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, lindy rigs and minnows are producing walleyes in 8-15 feet of water during afternoon hours. Minnows have been good for walleyes when worked in depths of 28-34 feet during midday hours. Northern pike are hitting crankbaits and spoons at the deep weed edges. Some crappie action is being reported on the mid-depth structure where schools of fish can be found suspended.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, walleyes are hitting minnows on the 26- to 32-foot saddles and breaks during the day. A few fish are also being taken by trolling crankbaits along the weedlines.
Grand Marais
Walleyes are hitting minnows worked in depths of 12-15 feet on Devil’s Fish Lake, in 15 feet of water on Devil’s Track Lake, in depths of 30-45 feet on Lake Saganaga, and in 20-25 feet of water on Poplar Lake. Lake trout are hitting jig and minnow combinations about 45 feet down on Greenwood Lake. Spoons worked close to shore continue to be best for salmon on Lake Superior.
Duluth
The Island Lake reefs continue to produce muskies, with topwater lures working best. Walleyes are hitting minnows in 10 feet of water on Fish Lake, and in depths of 12-20 feet on Island Lake. The narrows on Fish Lake are giving up crappies during morning and evening hours. Coho salmon continue to be found suspended close to shore, roughly 50-60 feet down on Lake Superior.
McGregor
Minnows have started producing walleyes on the shoreline breaks of Big Sandy Lake. Look for crappies and sunnies in 9-12 feet of water on Big Sandy and Minnewawa lakes. The weedlines of Big Sandy are beginning to give up a few good-sized pike.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
Shiner minnows are beginning to move into the Rainy River, which has sparked some good walleye action. The sturgeon bite remains strong in the river. On Lake of the Woods, a jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes in depths of 25-28 feet in Zippel Bay, off Morris Point, and in the Little Traverse areas on the main lake. The reefs and mud flats throughout the Northwest Angle are kicking out quite a few walleyes as well.
Blackduck
Walleyes are being taken on jig and minnow combinations worked in 10-14 feet of water on Blackduck Lake. Blackduck is also giving up crappies during evening hours in depths of 10 feet. Crappies and bluegills are coming off Gilstead and Rabideau lakes in 9-12 feet of water. Pimushe Lake is producing crappies in depths of 20 feet.
Bemidji
Crawlers continue to provide the best walleye action in 12-18 feet of water on lakes Bemidji and Plantagenet. Topwater lures are raising muskies on most area lakes. Panfish can be found along the weedlines on Grace Lake.
Cass Lake
Minnows and crawlers are providing steady walleye action on Cass Lake in 25-30 feet of water during the day, with fish also being taken from depths of 6-8 feet on windy days and during low-light hours. The 15- to 17-foot weedlines on Lake Andrusia are producing crappies. Northern pike and muskies are hitting bucktails worked on the weedy breaks throughout the Cass Lake chain. For largemouth bass, pitch spinnerbaits along the bulrushes of Cass Lake.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleyes continue to be taken from the tops of the bars in 14-18 feet of water. The shoreline breaks, points, and weedlines are also providing steady walleye action in depths of 9-12 feet. Minnows and crawlers are currently producing the majority fish, but crankbaits are also producing fish during evening hours. For northern pike, work the weedlines using a jig and minnow combination. The rocks off Raven’s Point remain best for jumbo perch.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleyes are hitting crawlers and crankbaits worked in 12-18 feet of water on the south-end rock piles. Sand Point is giving up walleyes to anglers using crankbaits in depths of 7-12 feet, with Walker Bay producing fish in slightly deeper waters. Good numbers of muskies are being taken on surface lures worked on the south-end rocks. Perch action has improved, with minnows taking fish from 10-14 feet of water from the backside of Bear Island, and in depths of 11 feet off the Little and Big Hardwoods.
Hackensack
The 16- to 18-foot breaks on Woman Lake are producing walleyes. Perch are being pulled from 12 feet of water on Woman Lake. Pleasant Lake remains the area’s best bet for panfish, especially in depths of 14 feet. Drifting minnows along the weedlines of Woman Lake has been good for northern pike. Baby Lake is giving up a few more muskies.
Park Rapids
Minnows are producing walleyes when worked in 22-25 feet of water during low-light hours on Fish Hook and Potato lakes. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in depths of 14 feet on Fifth and Sixth Crow Wing lakes. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits worked in the shallows on most area lakes. The Crow Wing chain is kicking out sunfish in 12-14 feet of water. On Big Mantrap Lake, muskies remain active in the shallows.
Battle Lake
Walleyes are hitting minnows during the day, and rapalas at night, in 6-20 feet of water on Rush, Otter Tail, and West Battle lakes. Look for sunfish in depths of 10-15 feet on Rush, West Battle, and South Turtle lakes. Bass are an easy catch in 10-18 feet of water on most area lakes, with West Battle, Spitzer, and Clitherall lakes producing the largest fish. Work the weedlines using minnows on West Battle, Otter Tail, and Clitherall lakes for lots of northern pike. The shallow weedlines and docks of West Battle are also holding muskies.
Alexandria
Walleyes are hitting minnows on the weedlines of Lake Le Homme Dieu, and in 30 feet of water on lakes Ida and Miltona. Look for crappies on the weedlines of Carlos, Geneva, and Darling lakes. Crankbaits are triggering bass and northern pike on the weedlines of most lakes. Muskie reports are improving, especially on Lobster and Miltona lakes.
Starbuck
Anglers using shallow-running crankbaits late at night in 5-7 feet of water on Lake Minnewaska are taking walleyes. During the day, minnows are producing walleyes on the points and hard-bottomed areas in depths of 12-15 feet. On Lake Reno, walleyes continue to hit crankbaits at night in 7 feet of water. Sunfish action has slowed on Minnewaska, but a few fish can be found in depths of 12-15 feet. Northern pike and bass are active in 12-14 feet of water on most lakes.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, walleyes are hitting redtails in 18-24 feet of water at Four Mile, Banana, Center, and Two Mile bars. Sucker minnows continue to produce numbers of northern pike along the 12- to 14-foot weedlines. Sunfish action is very good on the north end of the lake in depths of 12-18 feet. Bass are very active at the deep weeds.
Sauk Centre
Limits of walleyes are being taken by anglers using minnows and jigs in 5-9 feet of water on McCormick Lake. A decent walleye bite is being reported on Sauk Lake during evening hours in depths of 5 feet. The weedlines on Maple Lake are kicking out sunfish. Bass remain active in the weeds of most area lakes.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleyes are hitting redtails worked in 30-35 feet of water on the north and south ends of Gull Lake. Redtails and sucker minnows are producing northern pike in depths of 20-35 feet on Gull, North Long, and Pelican lakes. Bass remain active on most area lakes, with panfish found in the shallow weeds.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, on the east end of the lake, lots of smaller and a few good-sized perch are being pulled from the bays and off Malone Island in depths of 9-12 feet. Leeches and slip bobber rigs continue to produce walleyes on the rocks during the day in 16-20 feet of water, and at night in depths of 8-12 feet. Muskie and smallmouth bass reports have been poor this week. On the west end of the lake, walleyes are being taken by anglers using leeches in the deep water off the mud flats at night. A few fish are now being taken on crankbaits worked in the shallows at night. Muskie action has been limited. For smallmouth bass, hit the shallow rocks. Northern pike are coming from the weedlines of St. Alban’s Bay.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
An evening walleye bite is taking place in 10 feet of water or less on Rice and Koronis lakes. Sunfish action remains strong in depths of 5-10 feet on Browns, Long, Horseshoe, and Cedar Island lakes. Look for crappies in 8-12 feet of water on Rice and Koronis lakes. The weedlines of Rice and Horseshoe lakes are giving up northern pike, most of which are hitting jig and minnow combinations.
Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
Sunfish continue to be taken from 10-12 feet of water on Clearwater, Sylvia, and Cedar lakes. Clearwater and Cedar lakes are producing walleyes during evening hours in depths of 15-20 feet, with minnows and crawlers working best. Walleye anglers are also doing well trolling and casting crankbaits during evening hours along the shorelines of Clearwater and Sylvia lakes. Northern pike and bass are hitting spinnerbaits and crankbaits on the weedlines of most area lakes.
Prior Lake
Northern pike remain active on the 12-foot weedlines of Auburn and Pierson lakes. Hydes and Minnewashta lakes are giving up sunfish in less than 10 feet of water. Bass continue to hit plastics and spinnerbaits on Whaletail and Hydes lakes. Walleye action has been slow.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, the muskie bite has been very good at the shallow weed edges in Wagner’s Bay, and off the deep weeds at Kegg’s Reef. Walleyes are coming from the deep weeds on jig and minnow combinations. Bass continue to hit spinnerbaits and crankbaits at the deep and shallow weed edges.
Wayzata
Minnows are producing walleyes on Lake Independence during evening hours in depths of 12-20 feet. On Lake Minnetonka, Brown’s and Wayzata bays are giving up walleyes in 18-22 feet of water. For muskies, use bucktails on top of the weeds early and late in the day. Bass continue to be pulled from the inside and outside weedlines of most area lakes, with the larger fish coming in on plastics and crankbaits.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
Anglers are finding walleyes using crankbaits on the St. Croix River. The Bayport area of the St. Croix is kicking out crappies, with fish also being pulled from Peltier and Centerville lakes. Look for sunfish on the weedlines of Mud, Peltier, and Centerville lakes. Muskies are attacking bucktails and topwater lures at the weed tops throughout White Bear Lake. Bald Eagle and Jane lakes are giving up lots of northern pike. For bass, work the deep weedlines using crankbaits on Demontreville, Big Marine, and White Bear lakes.
Southern Minnesota
Mankato
Sunfish are coming from 10-12 feet of water on Tetonka, Washington, and Madison lakes. Some active northern pike are being pulled from the weedlines of Lake Francis, with the largest fish taken on minnows. Walleye and bass reports have been limited.
Willmar
Green Lake is producing walleyes in 20-30 feet of water during the day, and in depths of 10-15 feet during low-light hours. The smallmouth bass bite remains strong on Green Lake. Eagle Lake is giving up sunfish and walleyes in 10-20 feet of water. Diamond and Andrew lakes have been good for panfish in 10 feet of water or less. On North Long Lake, look for panfish in depths of 12-14 feet. Big Kandiyohi Lake is providing a mixed bag of smallmouth bass, walleyes, and panfish in depths of 10 feet or less.
Ortonville
Jumbo perch and a few walleyes are coming out of 10-13 feet of water on Big Stone Lake. For the most fish, use minnows in the Hartford Beach, Grapevine, Rocky Ledge, and Shady Beach areas. Catfish action remains strong at the Highway 75 and Marsh Lake dams on the Minnesota River.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
