November 3, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportFew reports are available as anglers put away their boats, and turn their attention to hunting or hard water angling. Still, fish remain active and are eager to bite for those willing to venture out! Please be sure to wear your lifejacket since those extra layers of heavy clothing will greatly reduce your ability to swim or float if you happen to fall overboard.
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Weather conditions have remained mild enough for anglers to continue venturing out. The best fishing has been in the Rainy River, where walleye are hitting shiner minnows. Rainy Lake is giving up some walleye just above the Ranier Rapids, as well as crappies in the west end of Black Bay. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
There have been reports of many small walleye and nice-sized northern pike, with an occasional keeper-size walleye and sauger coming from anglers fishing lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. The best bite has been in 26-32 feet of water when using a jig and minnow combination. Anglers have had the most success on the reef edges and structured shorelines adjacent to deeper waters. A zig-zag presentation over these areas has increased the chance of catching fish. Productive locations include the Martin Islands, Headlight Island, Green Island, and the mouth of Ash River into Sullivan Bay. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Most lakes in the Sawbill, Caribou and Gunflint trail vicinities are expected to freeze up within the next two weeks. Those that continue to venture out are pursuing northern pike and walleye. Hungry Jack, Kimball, and Esther lakes, located off the Gunflint Trail, are producing a few good-size northern pike. The best approach has been a nightcrawler on a jig worked along the weedlines. On October 21, netting for whitefish began on Devil Track Lake, which is located just 7 miles from Grand Marais, and also on Poplar Lake, which is halfway up the Gunflint Trail. Many fishing enthusiasts have repaired their nets and have caught a decent number of these mild tasting and delicious fish. On Caribou Lake, a few shoreline anglers have landed some walleye when casting spinners and small spoons.
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Fishing remains good on Lake of the Woods. While it dipped down to 22-degrees on Tuesday night, the weather forecast for next week shows highs in the 40s and 50s so anglers will be able to take advantage of the continued great fall fishing action! Areas producing walleye and saugers include the Lighthouse Gap and Zippel Bay. On the Rainy River, check the area near the Baudette Airport and near the Clementson Rapids. The best presentation has been a pink, orange or gold jig tipped with a shiner minnow. The water temperature is hovering around 44-degrees. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
As of late last week, the deeper area lakes had turned-over and most of the docks at the public accesses had been removed from the water. Surface water temperatures were in the mid-40s on most lakes. Tulibees and whitefish were preparing to spawn, using many of the same wind- or current-swept areas which walleye used for spawning in the spring. Large northern pike and muskies can often be found concentrated in these areas. The fish often give their locations away by the large swirls in the water left by muskies and pike chasing tulibees and whitefish. Anglers have been having success catching walleye, perch, crappies and sunfish, so there are plenty of good fishing opportunities for anglers willing to brave the elements. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
Only a few anglers continue to head out onto the water. One group reported this week that the walleye were coming from depths of 40 feet or so on Cass Lake. There have also been reports of good perch action on Leech Lake. 1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comWalker - Leech Lake
1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
As of late last week, the walleye bite was slow on Whitefish area lakes. The most productive technique was a chub minnow on a rig or jig. Fishing is expected to improve once the full moon draws near. Northern pike anglers have been taking fish on jigs and lindy rigs tipped with larger minnows worked in 20 feet of water just outside the weeds. Rattling' rapalas, rattle traps and diving crankbaits have also worked well. Bass are responding to just about any everything, with live bait and plastics producing lots of fish when cast around docks or trolled outside the weedlines. Panfish are active at the weedbeds in 12?18 foot depths. For the most fish, use a worm, waxworm or small leech under a bobber.
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
The fish are still biting despite cooling temperatures. Florida, Andrew, Eagle and Nest lakes have been producing walleye and panfish. And Green Lake continues to give up lots of walleye in 10-25 feet of water. 1-800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
As of Tuesday, November 1, walleye continued to be pulled from the channel between Big and Little Green lakes during evening hours. Walleye anglers are also taking fish when trolling the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes in front of the boat landing. Northern pike are coming from all area lakes, especially Sunrise, with sucker minnows under bobbers working best. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Area Lakes
Fish remain very active! Walleye can be found in 30 feet of water on the Mahtomedi side of White Bear Lake. Muskie, northern pike and bass are coming from the shallow waters near the docks on White Bear. Muskie anglers are taking fish on muskie suckers. And on Bald Eagle Lake, walleye are being pulled from 12-16 foot depths on the north and south side of Cigar Island. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
The 2011 trout season has come to an end. Overall, the season provided record numbers of brown trout measuring more than 12 inches, most likely due to a very successful 2007 spawn. Trout fishing will not resume until January 1, 2012, when a winter season will open on select streams in southeast Minnesota. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
1-800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.orgFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville - Big Stone Lake
The fishing activity on Big Stone Lake has slowed to almost a standstill. Many anglers are also hunters, and have put away their rods and pulled out their shotguns. A few die-hard angler that continue to venture out report taking a few perch and a random walleye. For the other anglers, fishing will wait until hard water or early next spring. Reports will be discontinued until next year's open water season. 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
