September 2, 2010 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportSurface water temperatures are hovering around 70-degrees in many areas of the state. Fish typically become more aggressive this time of year when water temperatures dip into the 60's. This is also the time that minnows become the bait of choice, so bring along some rainbows or chubs when heading out onto the water. Currently, the forecast calls for cooler temperatures and sunny skies on Saturday and Sunday for most of Minnesota, ideal for an end of summer fishing adventure!
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye fishing on Rainy Lake remains good, with anglers finding fish on the reefs and windward shorelines in 25-35 feet of water. On the reefs, jig with a minnow; at the shorelines, troll a spinner rig with crawlers. Crappie fishing is heating up, especially in Black Bay towards the west side where the Rat Root River flows into the bay. Smallmouth bass are active in both Rainy Lake and the Rainy River. Walleye fishing in the river has been best above the dam and below Ranier Rapids. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, the walleye bite has slowed, with fish schooling up in deeper waters and feeding in 28-32 foot depths at times. Minnows remain the bait of choice, however crankbaits are providing some great results as well. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow combination, or a slip sinker rig tipped with minnow in roughly 30 feet of water, especially if deep water is adjacent.
East Kabetogama and Lake Namakan provide great structure for fishing at this time of year. Large northern pike are hitting buzzbaits and crankbaits at the deep weed edges during mid-day, and topwater baits worked over the weed tops during early morning hours. Smallmouth bass have been an easy catch on the shorelines with a rock and gravel bottom which offers the best habitat. To find out more about Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out
www.kabetogama.comEly
Recent hot temperatures have kept many anglers off the water, however those that have ventured out are reporting some impressive catches. While the walleye are somewhat scattered, they are responding well to lindy rigs tipped with a crawler worked in 12-20 foot depths. Some nice crappies are being pulled from the submerged rockpiles and trees in the 12-16 feet of water. Smallmouth bass have been very aggressive, and are hitting topwater baits early and late in the day; during mid-day hours, use diving crankbaits. Crayfish patterns have been best around the rocky points and shorelines. Large northern pike are pounding trolled crankbaits and casted spoons just outside the weed beds down to ten feet. Nickel or brass spoons with a splash of orange or yellow are working well. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
On Lake Vermilion, anglers are reporting more action. Muskie anglers are doing well using blade baits in areas with a combination of rocks and weeds. Walleye numbers are up. Weeds are fading and drooping earlier than usual, forcing perch out of their hiding spots, where they are heading for deep water. This window lasts about two weeks, and anglers are encouraged to hit the water using a lindy rig or crankbait for some great action! The minnow bite usually takes off around Labor Day, so bring along some rainbows or chubs to test these out as well. To learn more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
To find out when and where to fish, check out
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
For information on what's biting and where, check out
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake of the Woods, walleye fishing remains great for anglers that use the right techniques; for the most fish, use a brightly colored 3/8-ounce jig tipped with a minnow, bait fishing with a gold spinner, or a trolled shad rap in depths of roughly 30 feet of water near Little Traverse or on the rock reefs. The North West Angle is still producing good numbers of northern pike, muskie, walleye and smallmouth bass! Spoons and bucktails are turning the majority of bass, pike and muskie. Walleye are responding best to spinners and jigs worked in 20-25 feet of water. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Surface water temperatures are hovering around 70-degrees. It is about this time that fishing starts to really heat up, and most species become more aggressive as water temperatures dip into the 60s. In the deeper lakes such as Bemidji, Cass and Pike's Bay, walleye have been moving off the sides of the structure into deeper water. Some successful anglers are using live bait rigs, while others have switched back to jig and minnow combinations. Most of the walleye action has been in 18-26 feet of water, while most of the perch are coming from depths of 6-10 feet. At this time of year, walleye may exhibit a variety of patterns on the same lake. Fish can be found at the edges of mid-lake structure, on top of the bars and humps, at the cabbage weed edges, or feeding on the shallow or deep rocks. Lake Winnibigoshish offers the best shallow walleye bite in the area, with fish found on the large shoreline points, the patches of rock and gravel, and on cabbage weed edges. Many anglers are doing well using jigs and minnows or live bait rigs, however crankbaits, jigs and plastics, and spinner rigs have also been effective. Muskie action has been slow, but fishing should pick up as the water begins to cool. Muskie anglers have been catching some nice pike, especially those anglers using smaller jerkbaits or large crankbaits. Crappies are at the deep weed edges on most lakes, where coontail or cabbage weeds offer direct access to deep water. For the most fish, use small jigs tipped with minnows or plastic tails. Sunfish can be found in similar areas; the green weeds are often the key to areas holding panfish. Once the weeds start to die-off, the fish generally relocate. To find out more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
As of late last week, the jumbo perch bite was amazing on Leech Lake. The hot spot was the Walker Narrows, both the main lake side and Walker Bay side. The Mounds Point area of Steamboat Bay, and Walker Bay's Erickson Landing were also good for lots of fish. The best approach was a multi-colored jig tipped with a fathead minnow. There were also reports of walleye coming from the Walker Narrows on jig and minnow combinations. During evening hours, crankbaits were turning fish in the Walker/Sand Point/Cedar Point area, and in the main lake at Pine, Star, and Stony points. Muskie anglers reported fish coming from Portage Bay and the Pelican Island area. The rice beds of Steamboat and Miller bays offered great bass action. For further information, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit
www.leech-lake.comCass Lake/ Deer River - Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux lakes
As of late last week, walleye fishing was very good. On Sand Lake, walleye could be found in 12-15 feet of water when using a jig or rig presentation, with lots of crappies also being taken. On Bowstring Lake, walleye action was best in depths of 8-9 feet. The majority of fish were taken on a spinner tipped with half of a nightcrawler or red-tone shad rap. Lake Winnibigoshish was also giving up lots of fish. On days with a strong south wind, Muskie Bay and Stony Point were producing fish for anglers using spinners tipped with half of a crawler, a rig and 3 foot leader tipped with a crawler, or jig and minnow combination; on the calmer days, depths of 17-19 feet of water at the main bars were best, especially for those using rigs and 6-7 foot. leaders tipped with a crawler or leech. And, all signs indicate that there will be a good fall crappie bite on Cutfoot Souix. To find out more, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit
www.casslake.comPark Rapids
For information on which techniques are working best, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Lake temperatures have dropped considerably, and are now holding at roughly 70-degrees. Anglers are taking advantage of the full moon, and doing very well using crankbaits at night. For the most fish, work the flats in 6-12 feet of water using shad baits or minnow imitators. During low light hours, hit depths of 9-14 feet in mid-lake areas. Minnows are becoming the bait of choice. Otter Tail and Cormorant lakes have been best for late night trolling; during the day, hit Cotton, Big Detroit, Pelican, White Earth, and Big and Little Pine. A pitching technique remains best for muskie, especially on Detroit and Pelican lakes. Bass are active at the deeper weed edges during the day, hitting jigs and sucker minnows. For the most fish, check out Cotton, Detroit Lake, Mellissa, Floyd, the McDonalds, and both Long Lakes. Northern pike action has been sporadic, with Sallie and Melissa giving up the most fish. To learn more, dial 1-800-542-3992, or go to
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
For information on what's biting and where, dial 1-800-423-4571, or check out
www.ottertailcountry.comMiltona
On Lake Miltona, water temperatures have started to drop, with most area lakes now in the low 70's. The best walleye bite remains during morning and evening hours in 17-22 feet of water. For the most fish, use night crawlers and spinners. Crappies and sunnies are coming from the cabbage weeds in depths of 12-15 feet on white twistertails tipped with a worm, leech or small minnow. Muskie anglers are taking a few fish from the weeds on tubes and cowgirls. Bass can be found in a range of depths, in anywhere from 1-16 feet of water. The best approach has been a crankbait or jig-n-pig. With cooler temperatures this weekend, fishing may really take off! To find out more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit
www.VisitLakeMiltona.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
Walleye action on the Whitefish Chain and many other area lakes remains good. Fish can be found in 24-28 feet of water using redtails, leeches and nightcrawlers on long lindy rigs. A good night bite is being reported by anglers trolling crankbaits over deep water. Northern pike anglers are taking lots of smaller fish along the weedlines on spinner baits or spinner rigs with sucker minnows. Bass are active, and hitting plastic worm rigs and spinner baits worked in and along the weedlines. Crappie anglers are taking fish when vertically jigging minnows and worms in 18-20 feet of water. Large bluegills are being pulled from depths of 18 feet. To learn more, visit
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
For information on where and when to fish, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
Walleye anglers are doing well using leeches under bobbers during evening hours and shortly after dark. Deepwater trolling has been very effective during the day, especially at the big gravel, such as Curly's Flat and Matton Flat. The muskie bite is starting to heat up, with reports of nice fish coming from Anderson's and Rocky reefs, as well as just out of the Hunter's Point area. For a great smallmouth bass bite, hit Anderson Reef and Indian Point. To learn more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out
www.millelacs.comWillmar
To find out what's biting and where, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
This time of year is generally the best time for bass fishing, with fish nearly jumping into the boat. For some exciting fishing, hit the deeper weedlines of South Lindstrom and Chisago lakes. Please note that this is catch and release only for bass; all bass measuring 12-inches or more must be returned to the water on these lakes. Sunnies and crappies are also active on South Lindstrom and Chisago. For the most fish, use waxworms, angle worms, and flu-flu jigs. For the most sunfish, hit the outside weedlines on South Lindstrom Lake, with the largest fish coming from depths of 6-12 feet of water. Walleye have become more difficult to catch, however it is not impossible. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area Lakes
To learn when and where to fish, dial 651/653-5122, or check out
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
For information on what's biting, dial 952/442-5812, or check out
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City -Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
To find out what's biting and where, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro
As of Monday, August 30, conditions remained excellent on area rivers and streams. Several small caddis species had recently been reported. Crane flies and several Light Cahill-type mayflies were also present. And Tricos were still coming off the South Branch of the Root River at Forestville State Park. To learn more, dial 1-800-944-2670, or visit
www.lanesboro.comAlbert Lea
For information on where to fish, dial 1-800-345-8414, or check out
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
To learn where and when to fish, dial 1-800-657-3280, or visit
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Perch fishing remains very good on Big Stone Lake. While trolling a shad rap or a bottom bouncer/spinner/crawler combination remains very productive in 10-11 feet and deeper, anglers are now doing just as well anchoring at some of the traditional perch hot spots. Limits of perch are being reported, and the average size remains roughly 10 inches, or more. Crawlers, pieces of crawler, minnows, spikes and waxworms are all producing fish. The key is to stay on the move, and use a light technique. Anglers are now concentrating on the Windmill Reef area from the Rocky Ledge public access all the way up to Shady Beach. There have also been many reports of dock anglers catching 10-15 perch off their docks during evening hours! To find out more, dial 1-800-568-5722, or check out
www.bigstonelake.com "The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism."
