Statewide Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, September 25

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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.

While recent mild temperatures have caused a slight decline in action, anglers continue to take good numbers of nice-sized fish. Once fall-like temperatures return, expect fishing to really heat up.

Northeastern Minnesota

International Falls

On Rainy Lake, walleye anglers are taking lots of nice-sized fish when dragging a lindy rig with a minnow over the submerged reefs such as Stub?s Shoals and Erickson?s Reef. The reefs near Saginaw Bay on the east side of the Brule Narrows have also been good. Crappies continue to be caught near the windswept weedy edges of Black Bay, especially close to the mouth of the Rat Root River. Large pike are being pulled from Black Bay, near Rainy Lake City, and from Cranberry Bay. Bass are hanging near the rocky shorelines and 20-25 foot humps near the shorelines and islands. For the most fish, use a minnow. Rainy River fishing has been best from the Ron Hall access on west for several miles. Bass are biting around the rapids at Birchdale, and large sturgeon are being taken here as well. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Lots of anglers continue to venture out onto lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, especially with the recent mild temperatures. At present, the reefs found in 25-34 feet of water are providing most of the action. Anglers report that many of the small reefs are also producing. While the walleye bite is a bit less consistent, anglers continue to do well using minnows on a variety of presentation. Quite a few large perch and saugers are being taken along with the walleyes. Northern pike anglers should try lures or sucker minnows just outside of the weedy bays. Crappies are staying quiet, waiting for water temperatures to drop below 70-degrees. Smallmouth bass anglers are doing well using crayfish-style lures and mepps spinners ? please remember that bass must be released immediately on Lake Kabetogama. Once the extended summer weather gives way to more fall-like temperatures, expect fishing to really heat up! For further information, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Cook/Tower ? Lake Vermilion

While anglers continue to take lots of walleyes from Lake Vermilion, the numbers are not quite as high as they were a few weeks ago. Frazer and Big bays are giving up quite a few eating-size fish, and the west end has been best for the larger fish, with one fish measuring in the upper 20s. Lindy rigs with crawlers or minnows are producing the most fish. Muskie anglers report lots of follows and a few hits, with some large 50-plus inch fish being netted. A 38-inch northern pike was also recently reported. Once lake temperatures drop a bit, fish will become more aggressive. To find out more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Ely

While the fishing has slowed somewhat, anglers are still taking limits of walleyes and crappies. Shagawa and Basswood lakes have been the top producers. The best approach is to use a lindy rig with a crawler when searching for fish ? once they are located switch to a jig tipped with half a crawler or leech and work the area. Walleyes are coming from depths ranging from 12-20 feet. During low light hours, try a slip bobber in 6-10 feet of water. The sunken reefs and islands are giving up the majority of fish. Northern pike are moving to shallower waters where they can be found using spinnerbaits and spoons in depths of 3-10 feet. Crappies are moving deeper on Fall, Farm, and White Iron lakes, with fish found suspended when using small jigs tipped with soft tubes, tails or minnows under a slip bobber. Some anglers have switched from fishing poles to bows or shotguns, resulting in less competition for fishing hot spots! To learn more, 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

Lake Superior continues to give up lots of lake trout in the Duluth area, with some measuring 30- to 38-inches, and a couple weighing roughly 20-pounds. Lake trout have been holding near the bottom, while the Cohos and Chinooks are hanging near the surface. Near the Knife River, anglers found lake trout suspended at 160 feet over 200 feet of water. Trout were also found suspended at roughly 60 feet in depths of 100 feet at McQuade Public Access. Anglers are having success using spoons, downriggers and flashers, some jigging with herring or dead smelt, and others trolling with spoons and flies down 100 feet. Lake water temperatures have been in the mid-60s. Please note that the lake trout summer season closes Wednesday, September 30. For northern pike, spoons and sucker minnows are working well at the 5 foot rock piles on Rice Lake. Crappies can be found suspended over 14-18 feet of water in the narrows, and bluegills are being pulled from the shallow weeds in Fish Lake. Some walleyes are coming from 10 foot depths on minnows worked in Boulder and Fish lakes. 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

Walleyes continue their summer patterns due to the incredibly mild and wonderful weather that has blessd Lake of the Woods anglers. Long Point and Zippel Bay are giving up excellent numbers of fish. Anglers are taking limits of nice-sized fish when using gold, glow-in-the-dark, pink or orange jigs tipped with a minnow, with silver and red or white and red shad raps also working well. Fish are being pulled from depths of 25-34 feet. Downrigging has also been productive. Water temperatures are mostly 69-degrees. Once temperatures drop, expect the walleyes to move into the Lighthouse Gap and Rainy River areas looking for shiner minnows. 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

The surface water temperatures in Bemidji area lakes are still in the high 60s and low 70s, so the fish are stuck in the transition between summer and fall patterns. In the deep lakes, such as Bemidji, Cass, and in Pike?s Bay and Walker Bay on Leech Lake, walleyes are coming from 20-30 foot depths. In the more shallow lakes, such like Winnibigoshish, Upper Red Lake, and in the main basin of Leech Lake, walleyes can be found in 6-14 feet of water.
Most anglers are doing well using jigs and minnows. Most shallow water anglers do better when setting their baits away from the boat to avoid the shadow of the boat. Anglers fishing in deeper waters usually prefer to stay vertical below the boat to have better control of their baits. Muskie fishing remains good in most area muskie lakes. Panfish action remains hot. Perch are coming from the flats, crappies from the hard bottomed areas in deeper waters, and the sunfish area holding to the edges of the thickest and healthiest patches of remaining weeds. Fall has arrived on the calendar, but the lack of a killing frost has kept the fall colors from developing. Only a few of the maple trees are beginning to turn, and peak fall color may still be weeks away. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Walker/Leech Lake

Leech Lake walleyes continue to bite, but anglers are having to work a bit harder to catch them. Nice numbers have been coming from the flats west of Goose Island. Diamond Point, Rogers Point, and the Annex Reef are also producing walleyes. The perch bite, however, has been excellent on both ends of the Walker narrows, with anglers quickly taking enough jumbo perch for a good meal. In the big lake, the perch are biting on the east side of Bear Island, Miller Bay and Uren Bay. The nice weather has lead to an increase in anglers. The best approach has been a jig and minnow combination, however some anglers are doing well when pulling shad raps. To learn more, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit www.leech-lake.com

Central Minnesota

Miltona

To learn about the best locations and methods to fish Lake Miltona, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Pine River Area Lakes

Water temperatures have not cooled to the point where the the ?fall bite? kicks into high gear. Although anglers report good northern pike and largemouth bass action, the walleyes have been less eager to bite. A fair number of walleyes are being taken from relatively shallow waters, such as 15-20 feet, by bass and pike anglers using crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Panfish are having a blast since these fish have been extremely eager to bite ? for the most fish, hit the deep edge of the weedlines found in depths of 10-15 feet. Walleye action should improve significantly once temperatures drop to around 40-degrees at night. While nightcrawlers and leeches continue to produce fish, anglers are beginning to prefer a jig and minnow approach. Muskie action has been steady on area muskie lakes, with many trophy-sized fish recently caught and released during a tournament. This week?s tip is to keep your bait straight under the boat and use a slow presentation when fishing for fall walleyes. To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Brainerd/Nisswa Area Lakes

The walleyes on the Whitefish Chain, Pelican and most other lakes in the Crosslake area remain very active. Pelican Lake anglers are taking lots of fish on redtails and nightcrawlers on spinners and lindy rigs worked in 14-35 feet of water. Northern pike and bass action continues to be good in and along the weedlines. Crankbaits and plastic worms are working best. Crappies and panfish are coming from depths of 10-14 feet on small jigs tipped with waxworms. The last few weeks of warm weather has brought area water temperatures to their highest level this year! To learn more, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

Most of the fish taken this week are coming from the mud flats and deep gravel over 28-plus feet of water. Crankbaits trolled through these areas
have produced some decent numbers, although most fish are measuring in the ?throw-back? range. Firetiger and hot steel have been two of the better colors. There has also been some activity in these areas at sunset, with slip bobbers and leeches being the best presentation. It is this time that you?ll find a better ratio of keepers. The Highway Bar, 7-Mile and Sloppy Joe?s areas are giving up good numbers of fish. 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

Sunrise Lake has been good for panfish, with anglers doing well using crappie minnows and leeches under bobbers. Northern pike are starting to bite now that the days are getting shorter ? use large sucker minnows for the larger fish. Bass are active on Chisago Lake, and repsonding well to wacky-style worms worked in 2-8 foot depths. An occasional walleye is being reported. Expect walleye action to pick up once water temperatures begin to decline. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakeschamber.com

White Bear Lake

To learn about which species are biting and where they can be located, 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

Walleye anglers should focus their efforts on the upper and lower stretches of Lake Pepin on the Mississippi River. The Maiden Rock flats, Point no Point, and the bouy line areas are all good areas in the upper end. In the lower stretches, hit the Lacupolis area. Large bluegills are being pulled from along the rip rap, as well as from some of the deeper sand breaks. And, northern pike and bass have been extremely active in the many backwater areas. To find out more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Albert Lea

Fishing has been excellent on area lakes, with crappies, largemouth bass, walleyes, bluegills, perch and catfish all being taken! Nightcrawlers, minnows, and artificial baits are working well in 3 feet of water, especially at Hatch Bridge, Edgewater Bay, the Cemetery, and Albert Lea Channel. The Shell Rock River is also producing walleyes ? for the most fish, use jigs and twister tails! 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.?