October 1, 2010 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report Walleye 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. Expect fish to turn even 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.
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye anglers are reporting some pretty good action when they are able to get out, with aggressive fish found hanging near the humps in roughly 28 feet of water. Large northern pike are lurking nearby as well. The best bet has been jigging with shiner minnows. Black Bay is producing some nice size crappie, especially on the west end of the bay. On the Rainy River, more strong walleye action is being reported, especially for anglers using a shiner minnow. Fish below the dam at International Falls and at the mouths of the Littlefork and Big Fork Rivers for the most fish. Fall colors are nearing their peak, and the leaves are beginning to fall. As a result, grouse hunting success has been on the increase. Bear hunters are also having some success. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Kabetogama and Namakan lakes continue to produce good numbers of walleye, especially for anglers using minnows on jig heads and slip sinker rigs. Crankbaits are producing fish during evening hours, and during mid-day hours on windy days. The best depth has been 28-35 feet, with an occasional fish pulled from shallower depths on rainy, cloudy days. Walleye anglers have enjoyed some great jumbo perch and sauger action this fall. Crappie action has been inconsistent, but definitely worthwhile once you find them. Namakan has been best for numbers. Northern pike are hitting minnows and crankbaits at various depths in the windblown bays over the tops of weeds and outside the weed edges. Beautiful fall colors are lingering, and well worth the trip! To find out more about Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out
www.kabetogama.comEly
Fishing pressure has been low due to inclement weather, and the fluctuating barometer hasn't helped those that are getting out. Still, some nice crappies and a few decent walleye were recently taken from 6-12 feet of water on Low, Twin, and Cedar lakes. Minnows and crawlers on a lindy rig have been best. Start shallow and work your way deeper until you locate fish. Northern pike have been hitting trolled spoons and large spinners on Birch and Shagawa lakes. Working the weed edges and drop-offs near points has been best for some good action. Basswood Lake is producing a fair number of walleye over the mid lake reefs and near the island drops. Trolled rapalas and spinner combinations are working well. Fishing should improve considerably with the rising barometer. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
To learn where the fish are biting, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
On Crescent and Sawbill Lakes, smallmouth bass and walleye action has been good. For the most fish, use nightcrawlers, followed by leeches, minnows and crankbaits. In the Gunflint Lake area, fishing should be steady for smallmouth bass and walleye. Around Lake Superior, the lake trout season closes September 30. Pink salmon, and a few chinooks, are crowding into the rivers - it's worth the trip just to witness the trout run in the area. Closer to Grand Marais, brook trout and rainbows are hitting crawlers or trolled spinners in 20-21 feet of water on Carrot, Leo, and Esther lakes. Perch are being pulled from Hungry Jack, Saganaga, and Seagull lakes by anglers using minnows in 12 feet of water, and on crawlers set 15-23 feet down. Gunflint Lake is giving good numbers of northern pike on sucker minnows worked at depths of 8-15 feet. Smallmouth bass are hitting minnows and crawlers in most area lakes. Hungry Jack, Saganaga and Seagull lakes recently gave up some nice keeper-size walleye - for the most fish, drift a lindy rig through 25-35 feet of water. To find out more, check out
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
For information on where to fish, check out
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
As of late last week on Lake of the Woods, a local angler took a 74-inch sturgeon. It was a two hour struggle, but worth every minute according to him. Once he boated the fish, he admired it and returned it to the water. The fall sturgeon bite has been exceptional! Walleye have been 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. 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 were moving off the reefs into 20-25 feet of water. Crappies, muskie and northern pike have also been active here. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
As of late last week, fishing had picked up for all species. Walleye fishing was good in the large, shallow lakes such as Winnibigoshish and Upper Red, especially on days with lighter winds. Jig and minnow combinations were best, in both the shallow and deep waters. A good perch bite was 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 were moving off the sides of the mid-lake structure, and locating along steep breaks on shoreline points with direct access to deep water. The best depths for walleye were 18-35 feet of water, but fish could also be found in 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 also been very active. 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
The bite is on for all species in the Detroit Lakes area. A hot walleye bite is being reported on Detroit, Pelican, Cormorant, White Earth, Island, Cotton, and Otter Tail lakes, along with many others. Jigs and rigs tipped with large minnows have been best in 19-26 feet water. Some lakes are giving up fish in shallower waters where there is a rock or weed-free and clean, hard bottom area - hit depths of 8-12 feet in these areas. Bass are active on Detroit, Melissa, Long, Floyd, and Cotton lakes. Look for good smallmouth action on White Earth, Cormorant, and Island lakes. Live bait, crankbaits and plastics are all working well in the shallows. Muskie anglers are pulling fish from Big and Little Detroit, Sallie, Pelican, and Battle lakes, with large sucker minnows working best. 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
There were an even greater number of anglers consistently taking walleye this week. Those reporting the most action were using fathead minnows and medium to large suckers in depths of 17-20 feet. During evening hours, try trolling shad raps, strike pro crankbaits or salmo crankbaits. The best bite has been in the shallows after dark. The crappies have moved out over the deep holes - look in 25-30 feet of water, roughly 12-15 feet down using small jigs tipped with crappie minnows. The bass have moved shallow and are in the pencil reeds. For the most fish, use heavy tackle jig-n-pigs or creature baits. Muskie fishing remains tough, however fish are being seen when using cowgirls, tubes and bulldawgs. 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.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
Daytime angler fishing Lake Mille Lacs are still having the most success on the deep mud and gravel in 23-30 feet of water. For the most fish, troll crankbaits or try a rainbow minnow. During evening hours, try bobber fishing or trolling through shallow depths of 8-12 feet with a #5 shad rap. To learn more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out
www.millelacs.comWillmar
Fishing action has really picked up now that the temperatures have turned cooler. Good numbers of walleye are coming from Lake Florida near the fish trap. Walleye and northern pike action has been great on Foot, Ringo, Willmar, and Diamond lakes. Solomon Lake has been the best bet for lots of crappies and sunnies. Check out Eagle Lake for numbers of perch and smaller walleye. The best approach has been a fathead minnow. Towards Spicer, hit depths of 15-20 feet on Green Lake for good walleye action. For the most fish, locate moving water, such as areas near a culvert or a local fish trap. To find out more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Bass remain very active on South Lindstrom and Chisago lakes. Fishing has been best near the weeds and on the rocks, especially when using jig worms, Carolina rigs, and sucker minnows on a jig. Walleye are starting to bite at the Green Lake Channel during early morning and evening hours. For the most fish, use a small sucker or a fathead. Sunnies and crappies are biting on most area lakes, with panfish leeches and waxworms producing the majority of fish. For the larger fish, hit deeper waters. Northern pike anglers are having the most success on Sunrise 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 30, the streams had cleared up very well, and most were at least fishable or were in perfect condition. Conditions did remain muddy and high for the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro. Baetis hatches have been really nice when the sun isn't too bright. Several species of relatively large caddis(#10-12) were coming off. Grasshoppers and crickets were active in the afternoon after the warm up. 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
Fox Lake is giving up decent numbers of panfish, with most being good-sized. Hall Lake has been good for crappies, bluegills and perch. For the most fish, hit the shallows using waxworms or crappie minnows. Walleye remain somewhat sluggish, however dropping temperatures should cause an increase in action. Panfish action has been good on Budd and Sisseton lakes, with live bait producing fish in the shallows. To find out more, dial 1-800-657-3280, or visit
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
The combination of wind and rain kept everyone off of Big Stone Lake most of last week. On Saturday, the weather broke and anglers ventured out and caught a variety of fish, including perch, white bass, and a few smaller walleye. The perch schools have moved up the lake, and the majority of fish are coming from the area between Hartford Beach and SoDak Shores. Anglers fishing off their docks in the Schmidts' Landing area also reported some nice perch action late in the afternoon and during evening hours. A few anglers recently tried fishing the Odessa Dam off of Highway 75 south of Ortonville, and they caught some very nice crappies - some measuring 14-inches. For more information, 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."
