October 8, 2010 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report Anglers are enjoying the incredible fall weather and amazing fall fishing. Walleye action has heated up as fish try to bulk up before winter. Fish are showing up in the deeper waters, following baitfish as they look for cover. This is the time to head out in search of a trophy fish, and all of the fall color makes the outings even more enjoyable.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye fishing on Rainy Lake has been best in the area from Grindstone Island to the Brule Narrows, where walleyes can be found on the humps and on the windward shorelines. Crappies and large northern pike are being pulled from Black Bay. The pike are also hitting in Cranberry and Lost bays. The Rainy River is producing walleyes both above and below the dam at International Falls. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan have yet to turn over. Lake water temperatures are in the mid-50s, with above average temperatures forecasted for the next week or so. Anglers are having some luck with the walleyes, sauger and perch, especially in depths of 22-35 feet. The best presentation has been a jig and minnow combination bounced off the bottom, with red, white and blue or light-colored jigs recommended. Northern pike are chasing minnows and artificial baits. Look for fish in depths of 12-25 feet near the shorelines and weed edges. Smallmouth bass are responding to lots of presentations, but please remember that they must be released since their season has closed. To find out more about Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out
www.kabetogama.comEly
As of late last week, fishing pressure was low due to inclement weather. Still, those that did venture out took some nice crappies and a few decent walleyes from 6-12 feet of water on Low, Twin, and Cedar lakes. Minnows and crawlers on a lindy rig were best. Northern pike were hitting trolled spoons and large spinners at the weed edges and drop-offs near points on Birch and Shagawa lakes. Basswood Lake was producing a fair number of walleyes over the mid-lake reefs and near the island drops. Trolled rapalas and spinner combinations were productive. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
Anglers are enjoying the fabulous weather and great fall walleye fishing on Lake Vermilion. The best approach has been a jig tipped with a minnow worked in 22-36 feet of water - get the bait right at the bottom for the most fish. Muskie anglers are having some success. Expect angling to continue to improve as water temperatures drop. To learn more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Smallmouth bass and walleyes continue to bite on Crescent and Sawbill lakes. For the most fish, use nightcrawlers, leeches, minnows, or crankbaits. Gunflint Lake is giving up good numbers of smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleyes. On Lake Superior, the recent temperatures and conditions have been perfect for salmon fishing on the big lake, and area guides will continue to head out as long as the weather allows. Please note that the lake trout season closed September 30. Closer to Grand Marais, walleye anglers are doing well on Saganaga Lake when using a jig and minnow combination in depths of 50 feet. 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
Anglers are anxiously awaiting the fall walleye run on the Rainy River. Schools of emerald shiners are being seen by resort owners when they check their minnow nets, indicating that the "run" will happen shortly. Shiners prefer water temperatures in the 40's, and the current temperature is roughly 50-degrees. The first run of shiners has been reported in the Clementson area, and anglers are looking forward to the second run when the walleyes will follow. Currently, the best action is in on Lake Of The Woods is in 23-32 feet of water, especially in front of Pine Island, right outside of Lighthouse Gap, and off Zippel Bay. Anglers are taking their limits, along with lots of sauger, and some jumbo perch measuring 11- to 13-inches. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, fishing couldn't be better. Muskies and northern pike are hitting jointed lures and bucktails in the weedy bays. Bass are being pulled from areas near deep water by anglers using shad raps. Crappies are very active in 30-40 feet of water. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
October is starting out dry and sunny, which is perfect for fall fishing. Fish are biting across the Bemidji area. Anglers have been finding walleyes in a wide range of depths, depending on the lake and the conditions. Bemidji, Cass, Pike's Bay, and most of the smaller area lakes are giving up walleyes in 18-35 feet of water. Most anglers are having success using jig and minnow combinations, or live bait rigs tipped with larger minnows. Perch fishing remains good in most of the larger area lakes such as Bemidji, Cass and Winnibigoshish. Most of the perch are coming from 8-12 feet of water, especially in areas covered with chara or rocks so the perch can feed on crayfish and minnows in the same location. Crappie fishing has been good, with crappies found schooled together on the deep structure, including large points and humps with some rock or hard bottom. Anglers have been able to see the schools of crappies using their sonar. Jigs with minnows or plastics work best. Muskies and northern pike have been active on the edges of the remaining green weed beds, and anywhere with large amounts of baitfish. The location of the tulibees is often the key to finding the largest fish since they concentrate in the few areas holding the most food. 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
As of late last week, the bite was on for all species of fish. A hot walleye bite was being reported on Detroit, Pelican, Cormorant, White Earth, Island, Cotton, and Otter Tail lakes. Jigs and rigs tipped with large minnows were best in 19-26 feet water. Some lakes were giving up fish in depths of 8-12 feet in areas that were rock or weed-free, with a clean, hard bottom. Bass were active on Detroit, Melissa, Long, Floyd, and Cotton lakes. Good smallmouth bass action was reported on White Earth, Cormorant, and Island lakes. Live bait, crankbaits and plastics were all working well in the shallows. Muskie anglers were pulling fish from Big and Little Detroit, Sallie, Pelican, and Battle lakes on large sucker minnows. 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 walleyes have become more active and the bite has increased during the day. Keep searching until you mark fish, concentrating in depths of 21-23 feet of water. On bright days use bright colors, and on cloudy days use dark colors, tipping a sucker minnow or fathead on your jig. The bass have moved up into the shallows, with fish coming in on jig-n-pigs worked at the pencil reeds. The muskies have been more difficult to locate, but some are coming in on cyco spinnerbaits and other blades. Colors have varied, but black or blue cisco-colors seem to be best. The crappies have moved over the deeper holes in roughly 25-30 feet of water, with fish found suspended only 12-20 feet down. Use twister tails and crappie minnows for the most action. To find out more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit
www.VisitLakeMiltona.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
Walleyes are hitting minnows either jigged or lindy-rigged in 24-36 feet of water in the Whitefish Chain of Lakes area. Northern pike action has been good, with fish found along the weedlines when using sucker minnows. Bass continue to hit plastics worked in and along the weedlines. Crappies can be found suspended in 16-20 feet of water on Fox and Mission lakes. For crappies and sunnies, jig crappie minnows. 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
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye action has slowed a bit during this stretch of bright, sunny days. Anglers finding fish are working the mid-depth rocks using slip bobbers and leeches or rigs with rainbow minnows in 14-18 feet of water. The perch bite is starting to pick up in the bays and rock reefs - jig and minnow combinations, and minnows under slip bobbers have been best for the most fish. Muskie and northern pike action remains best along the weedlines, but the rock reefs should give up more fish as the water temperatures drop. Please note that smallmouth bass season has closed. As of Wednesday, October 6 at 11:40 a.m., the surface water temperature was 56-degrees. To learn more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out
www.millelacs.comWillmar
Anglers report that fish are biting in just about every area lake. For numbers of walleyes and northern pike, hit Florida, Ringo, and Willmar lakes. Foot Lake is giving up walleyes and pike just off the side of the road where the water flows under the culvert. Eagle Lake continues to produce nice-sized perch and walleyes. For sunnies and crappies, hit Solomon Lake. To find out more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
As of late last week, bass were very active on South Lindstrom and Chisago lakes. Fishing was best near the weeds and on the rocks, especially for anglers using jig worms, Carolina rigs, and sucker minnows on a jig. Walleyes were starting to bite at the Green Lake channel during early morning and evening hours. The majority of fish were hitting small suckers and fatheads. Sunnies and crappies were biting on most area lakes, with panfish leeches and waxworms working the best. The largest fish were coming from the deeper waters. Northern pike anglers were 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
Anglers are busy pursuing the larger, more aggressive fish that are trying to bulk before winter. This is also when anglers can make note of weedlines and drop-offs, and even save this information in their GPS systems to easily locate these hot spots during the ice fishing season. This weekend will be especially good for fall trophy fishing and locating your winter hot spots! For more information, 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.orgFaribault Area Lakes
Fishing has been hot on lakes surrounding Faribault and Waterville. On Lake Tetonka, anglers are taking large numbers of sunnies on waxworms. French Lake is producing lots of walleyes on fathead minnows. For perch and walleyes, hit the narrows of Cannon Lake in 4-8 feet of water. Mazaska Lake anglers are pulling walleyes from depths of 4-8 feet on suckers under bobbers. Roberds Lake is giving up lots of northern pike and striped bass on red and white daredevils. Crappie anglers are taking nice-sized crappies over the deep holes on Cedar Lake. And Shields Lake is producing northern pike for anglers using suckers and bobbers, with lots of crappies and walleyes coming in on shiners worked in 6-10 feet of water. To learn more, dial 1-800-658-2354, or visit
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
For information on where to fish, dial 1-800-345-8414, or check out
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
As of late last week, Fox Lake was giving up decent numbers of good-sized panfish. Hall Lake was good for crappies, bluegills and perch. Anglers had the most success using waxworms or crappie minnows in the shallows. Walleyes remained somewhat sluggish, however the bite was expected to improve once temperatures dropped further. Panfish action was 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
Fishing pressure has been light on Big Stone Lake, and this is the time to head out in search of a trophy! Anglers continue to concentrate on the perch, with the majority of fish coming from the area between Hartford Beach and SoDak Shores, and from the Windmill Reef. For the most fish, hit 10-11 feet of water using minnows, minnow heads, crawlers and pieces of crawler. Some anglers took fish on grub baits, however the perch were mostly on the smaller side. Anglers looking for walleyes should cast into the wind-driven points. 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."
