September 24, 2010 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportWalleye action has heated up with the recent cool temperatures, and this increased bite should continually improve as the season progresses. Fish are showing up in the deeper waters, following baitfish as they look for cover. Fish have turned more aggressive as they try to bulk up before winter. Most anglers are having success when using large minnows and a slow presentation. This is the time to head out in search of a trophy fish, and the fall colors are making the outings all the more enjoyable.
For the most current list of lodging availability, check with the individual visitors' bureaus listed below.
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye are being taken on jig and minnow combinations fished below the Ranier Rapids to the east end of Sand Bay. Crappie fishing has been picking up, especially at the west side of Black Bay and the American Narrows. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are coming from areas closer to shore. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Anglers report success for all species of fish on lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. Walleye are being pulled from roughly 30 feet of water on jig and minnow combinations. The perch are holding in waters a bit deeper. Northern pike are in and out of the weeds, searching for live bait and tricked by crankbaits. The reef edges and structured deep shorelines continue to give up walleye, with the larger fish coming from Kabetogama, and lots of smaller fish netted on Namakan. Light-colored jigs, including those in gold, seem to work best for the walleye. Crankbaits are producing fish during evening hours in depths of 15-18 feet.
The current fall conditions have led to a decrease in water temperatures, which settled into the low-50s last weekend. The increasing fall colors are contributing to the already enjoyable fall fishing adventures. To find out more about Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out
www.kabetogama.comEly
The time is here for the serious angler to get out and search for a trophy. Fall brings with it some of the best fishing of the year, when fish start to stock up for their winter reserves.
Walleye are eagerly hitting lindy rigs tipped with crawlers or minnows worked in depths of 8-20 feet. Try slowly trolling to locate the fish, then switch to swim baits or jigs tipped with live bait, especially on Shagawa, Birch and Basswood lakes.
Northern pike are moving back into the shallows to feast on the smaller fish; try a sucker under a bobber for some great action. Casting spoons and spinners are also resulting in some bragging-size fish. Crappies are schooling up, and hitting small jig and soft bait presentations. Use your electronics to locate suspended schools of fish and some quick action. Low, Birch and Twin lakes are giving up some decent stringers of slabs. Lake trout are also moving into shallower waters. Burntside and Snowbank lakes are producing mostly six- to nine-pound fish, as well as a few weighing more than ten-pounds. For the most fish, troll rapalas and spoons in and around 50 feet of water. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
Things are starting to heat up as the water and air temperatures cool down. Walleye are starting to show up in the deeper waters, following the baitfish as they move here for cover. Some walleye are still coming from the shallows holding weeds, but the weeds are rapidly dying off and the walleye will soon move out. Muskie reports have been spotty. Anglers that are finding fish are using bulldogs and crankbaits. Expect the bite to improve as lake water temperatures drop further. 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 where the fish are biting, check out
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
Surface water temperatures are staying below the 59-degree mark, even during the day. This cool-down has prompted fish into fall patterns, chasing the baitfish that continue to school. Walleye are being pulled from 10-13 feet of water on calm days, and from even shallower waters on windy days. For walleye, use a jig and minnow combination, or a crawler on a lindy rig. Crappies are generally suspended near the weeds in 10-12 feet of water, and local guides suggest using a small jig and rainbow chub for the most fish. Expect the sunnies to be mixed in with the crappies. Since the fish are hungry, don't be afraid to use the larger minnows. For more information, check out
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake of the Woods, a resident senior gentleman took a 74-inch sturgeon just this week. It was a two hour struggle, but worth every minute according to him. Once boated, he admired the fish and then released it. The fall sturgeon bite has been exceptional.
Walleye are biting near Pine Island, Graceton Beach, Long Point and Little Traverse, with anglers having success using shad raps, as well as jigs and live bait. While fish can be found in depths of 28-32 feet, they seem to be moving rapidly into shallower depths as water temperatures decrease. At present, the water is roughly 58-degrees, and dropping about a degree each day. The shiner run will begin once waters reach the 40's, and this is when the fall walleye run is the most amazing. And yet, anglers are already taking their limits daily. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, walleye are moving off the reefs into 20-25 feet of water. Crappies, muskie and northern pike are active here as well. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Fishing has picked up for all species. Most lakes now have surface water temperatures around 55-degrees, and the thermocline is breaking down in the deep water, allowing fish access to all depths. Walleye fishing has been picking up in the large shallow lakes such as Winnibigoshish and Upper Red, especially on days with lighter winds. Jig and minnow combinations have been best for walleye, in the shallow and deep waters. A good perch bite is reported on Winnibigoshish in 6-10 feet of water, with many walleye coming from similar depths. On the deep lakes, such as Cass, Bemidji and Pike's Bay, walleye are moving off the sides of mid-lake structure, or locating along steep breaks on shoreline points with direct access to deep water. The best depths for walleye have been 18-35 feet of water, but fish may also be in even deeper waters in some situations.
Most anglers prefer using larger minnows in the fall, when fish are more aggressive as they try to put on weight before winter. Jigs and live bait rigs work best. Anglers will want to slow down their presentations and stay vertical on the fish whenever possible. Electronics play a big role in the fall, when many fish are located in deep water. Anglers should spend more time looking for fish on sonar and less time making long drifts hoping to stumble onto some fish. Crappies, bass, muskie and sunfish have all been biting, as well! To find out more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
For information on what's biting and where, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
For information on which techniques are working best, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Water temps are now at or below 60-degrees, and continue to drop. The trees are at peak fall color, and this is always a sign that it's time to switch to larger minnows. The walleye seem don't seem have a clear fall pattern yet, but anglers are having success off the steep breaks on the very outside edge of the thinning weeds. In most lakes, this location is typically found in 16-22 feet water. Cotton, Big Detroit, and White Earth lakes are all good bets. This weekend, the moon will be just beyond full, and the night skies should be clear - for the best bite, try crankbaits in depths of 6-12 feet after dark.
Muskie have been active on Pelican and Big Detroit lakes, and are starting to take live bait such as giant sucker minnows under bobbers or trolled slowly along the weed edges. Crappies can be found suspended off the sharp breaks, hitting jigs and small minnows, split shots and hooks, and small spinners and minnows. Check out Toad, Big Pine, and Melissa lakes for the majority of crappies. Please note that there is a walleye tournament on Cormorant Lake on Friday and Saturday, September 24 & 25. 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, dial 1-800-423-4571, or check out
www.ottertailcountry.comMiltona
The walleye action is picking up, with fish coming right from the weed edges. The best bait has been a sucker minnow or large fathead on a jig or lindy rig. Colors have varied, but a chartreuse-type color will have the best success. While muskie are still hard to find, some fish continue to be taken on blades and tubes. Bass have moved into the shallows, and can be taken from the pencil reeds when using jig and pigs or creature baits. Sunfish and crappies have moved to there fall haunts over deeper water - look for suspended fish in the holes in bays using twister tails and crappie minnows. To find out more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit
www.VisitLakeMiltona.comBrainerd Lakes Area
For information on where and when to fish, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
Walleye action has really heated up with the recent cool temperatures. Area lakes are giving up fish in 24-30 foot depths. Anglers are having the most success lindy rigging with redtail minnows and leeches. Northern pike are hitting spinner rigs with sucker minnows worked along the weedlines. Anglers report plenty of small- to medium-sized fish. Bass continue to hit spinners and plastic bait, such as worms or frogs, worked in the weeds. Crappies and sunnies are hitting small jigs or beetle spins worked in depths of 16 feet and deeper, with lots of large bluegills coming off Upper Whitefish. To learn more, visit
www.whitefish.orgIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
On Lake Mille Lacs, most of the walleye activity is still in the deep water. Anglers report good numbers coming from 27-32 feet of water on crawlers and spinners. Trolling deep-water crankbaits is also producing fish. During evening hours, use a slip bobber and leech at the shallow rocks. Please remember that smallmouth bass fishing became catch-and-release statewide as of September 13 for the remainder of the season. For good muskie action, head to the north end of the lake. To learn more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out
www.millelacs.comWillmar
Fishing is excellent on most area lakes. For walleye, try Lake Andrew in nearby Sibley State Park, with good numbers of fish coming from 15 feet of water on minnows. For perch, and lots of smaller walleye measuring roughly 16-inches, check out Eagle Lake. The area along the side of Highway 71 on Ringo Lake, where the water runs under the road, has been good for a few northern pike and walleye. Lake Florida is also a great place to catch walleye. Panfish anglers are enjoying all of the crappie and sunfish action off the docks on Big Kandiyohi Lake. To find out more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Bass are biting along the weedlines of most area lakes. Anglers using small sucker minnows and fatheads are taking the most fish. Good walleye action is being reported on South Lindstrom Lake in 12-14 feet of water, especially in front of Rose Hill. For the most success, use a crappie minnow. And an occasional walleye is being pulled from Needle Point on South Center Lake. 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 Thursday, September 23, conditions were muddy and high for Duschee Creek and the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro, and likely for most area rivers and streams. There has been a lot of rain, and the ground throughout the area is saturated. It may take some time before streams in southeast Minnesota are fishable again. If things clear up this weekend, there will still be a couple of days left to fish for trout on area streams before the season closes. 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
On Big Stone Lake, despite recent windy conditions, anglers were still bringing in good numbers of perch. The mid-day to evening hours were best. For the most fish, anchor above the rock piles and jig a piece of crawler, minnow head or waxworm. Most of the activity has been concentrated in the Windmill Reef, Shady Beach, and Mallard Pointe areas. There have also been some reports of fish coming from the Grape Vine area, and north at Yankeetown. While anglers have brought in an occasional walleye measuring 16 inches or more, along with some nice white bass, most anglers continue to concentrate on the amazing perch action. 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."
