Statewide Minnesota Fishing Report 9.17.09

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Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.

Autumn is in the air, and fishing continues to improve throughout the state of Minnesota. In general, this time of year offers some of the best fishing of the season.

Northeastern Minnesota

International Falls

On Rainy Lake, walleye anglers are taking lots of fish when jigging in 25-40 feet of water on the submerged reefs. The windward shorelines are producing walleyes in shallower waters on live bait rigs. Minnows, leeches and crawlers are all working well. Large northern pike continue to be pulled from the weedy edges near the mouths of the large bays. Smallmouth bass are coming from the rocky shorelines. Crappies are being taken from Black Bay. On the Rainy River, fishing has been excellent above and below the dam at International Falls. Above the dam, walleyes are most active just below the Ranier Rapids - below the dam, look for fish at the Ron Hall access and several miles downstream. The best depth has been 10-15 feet, especially where there is some current. Smallmouth bass have been more active further downstream, particularly near the rocky areas above and below the Long Sault. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Warm temperatures have kept the water temperatures at 70-plus degrees, and both fall and summer fishing tactics are working well. The most consistent walleye bite has been in depths of 30 feet when using a minnow presentation. Anglers are having success using slip sinker rigs, and jigs tipped with a minnow. Leeches and crawlers will also produce fish, especially outside the weedlines. Northern pike are aggressive, and walleye anglers are taking lots of fish from typical walleye habitat, as well as the weedy bays and shoreline weeds. Stick baits, spoons and spinners are all working well for large northern pike when used in bays such as Peterson, Mud, Daily, and Nebraska. Anglers should also check out Lost Bay for all species of fish this fall. For further information, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion

On Lake Vermilion, walleyes are hitting a variety of baits in various locations! Crawlers and minnows are both working well, especially on a lindy rig worked in 22-32 feet of water during the day. During evening hours, check out depths of 12-16 feet. Muskie anglers continue to see only a few fish. The night bite remains the best time to throw topwater lures or double 10's. Be sure to do a "figure eight" at the end of every cast. Lots of northern pike are being taken by muskie hunters. To find out more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Ely

To learn which species of fish are biting and where to find them, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Lutsen-Tofte

To find out which techniques are working best, dial 1-888-616-6784, or check out www.americasnorthcoast.org

Duluth/Lake Superior & inland lakes

On Lake Superior, fishing pressure was heavy at the Charter Dock in Duluth last weekend. The accesses at Rice Point and Two Harbors were also very busy. Anglers are having lots of success with the lake trout, with most coming from or near the bottom in 80-120 feet of water. Some fish can be found suspended at depths of 45-70 feet in 100-130 feet of water. Most of the lake trout are measuring 18- to 30-inches, with one 36-inch lake trout recently recorded. Spoons and stickbaits are working best. A chinook salmon was also recently reported at the Charter Dock in Duluth. Lake water temperatures have been in the upper-50s to low-60s, and spoons and stickbaits have been best. On nearby Island Lake, muskies and smallmouth bass are coming from the shorelines, and walleyes are being pulled from depths of 15-20 feet. On Fish Lake, minnows are taking walleyes and northern pike when worked in 10-12 foot depths. Look to the St. Louis River for muskies and walleyes as well. To find out more, and to locate charter boats and guide services, dial 1-800-4-duluth, or visit www.visitduluth.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Limits of fish continue to be taken. Walleyes are moving closer to shore, with anglers taking lots of fish from Long Point and Zippel Bay when jigging. Other anglers are doing well when pulling plugs through 29-34 foot depths. Fishing action has also increased in the river. The shiner minnows will soon make their run up the river, enhancing an already fantastic fall fishing season. Sturgeon anglers are having success when anchored in Four Mile Bay and in the Rainy River. Lots of fish can be seen breaching the water, and the average size has been incredible. The season remains open through September 30, and anglers can keep one fish. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Cass Lake/Deer River/Lake Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux

To learn about the best locations and methods to fish area lakes, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Bemidji

Walleye anglers are finding fish in 20-35 feet of water in many of the deeper area lakes, such as Cass and Bemidji, and in Pike's and Walker bays on Leech Lake. Most successful anglers have been using jigs tipped with minnows, but live bait rigs with larger minnows, leeches or nightcrawlers have also been producing good numbers of walleyes. In the large, shallow lakes, such as Leech, Winnibigoshish and Upper Red, the walleyes are moving back into the shoreline structure, with fish being pulled from depths of 6-12 feet. Some walleyes are holding at the cabbage weedbeds, while others have been relating to the broken rock and gravel. A jig and minnow combination has been good for a mixed bag of walleyes, perch and northern pike. Muskie anglers are catching some larger fish on spinnerbaits and surface baits worked over the cabbage weed beds and along the rocky shorelines. Large wood jerkbaits usually work well during the fall, and anglers trolling the edges of the structure with deep-diving crankbaits should expect to find muskies suspended over deeper water. Perch are biting on the edges of large shoreline points and flats in many of the larger lakes - slow down and fish the area more thoroughly once a school is located. Anglers are also enjoying the emerging fall color, especially in the maple trees. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Walker/Leech Lake

On Leech Lake, the walleye bite remains strong and there has been an increase in perch activity. The Narrows has been best, especially on the Oak Point side of the lake. Some other spots to check out for numbers of perch are Uran Bay, Portage Bay, Mounds Point in the Steamboat Bay, and Erickson Landing in Walker Bay. Nine inches is a good starting length when sorting. Fathead minnows on a chartreuse jig on an ultra light fishing pole have offered lots of fast action. A good walleye bite is being reported at Grand Vu Bar and on the northwest side of Goose Island, Portage Bay, Stony Point, Ottertail Point, and Sucker Bay. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow combination. Chartreuse again seems to be the winning color. Nighttime fishing has been very productive, and anglers are doing well when using shad raps at the major points. To learn more, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit www.leech-lake.com

Central Minnesota

Miltona

While fishing remains steady, walleyes are responding more to jigs tipped with minnows, with some fish still coming in on crawlers and leeches. The water temperatures range from 72 degrees during high light periods to 68 degrees during low light periods. A variety of depths typically produce fish during the fall season. At present, the majority of fish are coming from 20-28 feet of water. Crappies and sunnies continue to bite in the cabbage weeds, with small nightcrawlers and leeches, either under bobbers or drifted working best. Fishing action will continue to heat up as the temperatures turn cooler! To learn more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Pine River Area Lakes

Autumn is in the air, fishing is improving, and beautiful fall color is increasing along the shorelines of area lakes. Walleye anglers report good numbers of fish coming from Whitefish, Pine Mountain, and Pelican lakes. Nightcrawlers and leeches remain best, especially when used on slip-bobbers or slip-sinker rigs. The traditional fall walleye bait, a jig and minnow combination, is being used more often by serious walleye anglers. Lake "turn over" is being reported on many lakes, and walleyes can be found in both very shallow waters and very deep depths, depending on the cloud and wind conditions. Northern pike and largemouth bass are also very active, with lots of good reports coming in from large and small lakes. Panfish are active, particularly during days when there is a slight breeze. This week's tip is to look for walleyes in a variety of depths - if you don't find walleyes in typical 15-25 foot depths in the larger bodies of water, try your luck in depths of up to 60 feet. To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Brainerd/Nisswa Area Lakes

Walleye action on the Whitefish Chain, Pelican and most other lakes has really heated up. Upper Whitefish is giving up lots of fish on lindy rigs and redtails, and on spinner and lindy rigs tipped with nightcrawlers worked in depths of 14-26 feet. Pelican Lake is also producing walleyes, with some anglers reporting a good dusk bite when pulling crankbaits. Northern pike action continues to take place along the weedlines, and in the deeper waters when using heavy-duty lindy rigs and large minnows. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and plastic frogs or worms fished along the docks and weedlines. Crappies and sunnies are coming from 10-16 feet of water, with large sunnies coming in on small jigs tipped with leeches or waxworms. Anglers fishing Whitefish report bluegills weighing more than 3/4 of a pound. To learn more, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

Fishing has become tougher for many anglers on Lake Mille Lacs which is typical during the end of August and beginning of September. Leeches and slip bobbers remain the best option during evening hours, however an increasing number of fish are being taken on crankbaits. As evening approaches, concentrate on the 8- to 12-foot south end rock piles, including Tundra, Hennepin Island, and Hawkbill. During mid-day hours, most of the fish are coming from depths of 22-28 feet on spinners tipped with minnows or crawlers. Some of the better daytime spots this week include Nine Mile, Greg's Flat, and Sloppy Joe's. Smallmouth bass are being pulled from 4-8 feet around the large boulders. This bite is expected to change in the next couple of weeks as water temperatures begin to drop. Northern pike and muskie action has been slower than normal. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

To learn which species of fish are biting and where to find them, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area

To find out which techniques are working best and where to locate fish, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakeschamber.com

White Bear Lake

On White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes, the crappies and sunnies are slowly moving out to deeper water. Anglers report a bit more action on Bald Eagle since the lake is shallower and not as clear as White Bear. Bass action has been fair, however nothing large has been reported. Lots of muskie follows are being reported. For a few fish, hit White Bear Lake. To find out more, dial 651/653-5122, or visit www.ExploreWhiteBear.org

Waconia

For information on where to find fish on Lake Waconia, dial 952/442-5812, or check out www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Cannon Falls

For information on which species of fish are biting in the area and how to find them, dial 507/263-2289, or visit www.cannonfalls.org

Lake City

The walleye/sauger bite at Lake Pepin on the Mississippi River has been somewhat of a challenge this past week. While fish continue to be taken, they are more difficult to locate. Large bluegills, however, are very active, with good numbers being taken. A few slab crappies and jumbo perch are also coming in. Largemouth bass and northern pike remain active in many different backwater areas, along with the channel cats. Look for the walleyes and saugers to become more active in the very near future as water temperatures begin to cool and the days get shorter. To find out more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Albert Lea

Crappie action has been excellent near Hatch and Blackmer bridges on Fountain Lake, with anglers taking good numbers using jigs and cork in 4 feet of water! The sunfish are plentiful near Highway 13. Perch are hitting tube jigs and small minnows near the channel at dawn and at dusk. Largemouth bass anglers are having lots of success. Catfish action is slowing down - for a few fish, use jigs. To learn more, visit www.albertleatourism.org, or dial 507/373-2316

Fairmont Area Chain Of Lakes

For information on what techniques are currently working best, dial 1-800-657-3280, or visit www.visitfairmontmn.com 

"The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism."