Explore Minnesota Fishing Report July 20, 2012
Many walleye anglers are having success using a fast approach near the weeds, especially during morning hours. High surface water temperatures have resulted in depleted oxygen levels below the thermocline, sending many fish back into the weedy shallows for shade and higher oxygen levels. Some anglers report that areas covered with algae are giving up a greater number of muskie since visibility is reduced; flash, speed and vibration will help fish locate your bait.
Please help prevent the transport of harmful invasive species; do your part to protect Minnesota?s waters by following the state Aquatic Invasive Species laws.
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye fishing has been good on Rainy Lake, especially at the submerged reefs between Grindstone Island and Brule Narrows when jigging a minnow. The submerged reefs east of Brule Narrows are giving lots of walleye as well. Reports have also been good in 25 feet of water at islands and groups including Three Sisters, Steamboat and Cranberry. Crappie anglers are finding fish in Black Bay; expect to take lots of fish once you locate a school of crappies. The Rainy River continues to kick out lots of walleye west of Kuttes Landing near Pelland Junction. Anglers fishing the river should float with the current through roughly 12-15 feet of water using a spinner rig and emerald shiner minnow. 800-325-5766
Kabetogama
Anglers and water recreation enthusiasts are enjoying the wonderful, warm temperatures of Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. Water temperatures have been holding steady in the high 70s, with little if any algae. The best bite remains early in the morning, with another good bite occurring late in the afternoon into evening hours; mid-day is generally too hot for the walleye. Leeches and crawlers, with or without spinner blades, are the best approach for the walleye. One local guide's preference is to use a leech during early morning hours, switching to crawlers later in the day. A small, spinner blade, colored hook, 3/8-ounce weight and a snell measuring 24- to 48-inches is recommended. Most fish seem to be satisfying their hunger earlier in the day at the 17-28 foot shorelines, depending on time of day and conditions. In addition to the deep shorelines, some of the reefs are also now holding walleye. Bass and northern pike have been great choices for afternoon angling, with crankbaits best when worked just off the bottom. For pike, hit the weeds near deep water. For bass, check the rocky shorelines. 800-524-9085
Crane Lake
A local fishing guide fishing the far reaches of Namakan, Sandpoint and Crane Lakes on Wednesday took a decent number of walleye from depths of 20-28 feet. The larger walleye came from the shallower depths, roughly 20 feet, on 1/4-ounce chartreuse jig heads tipped with just a small piece of nightcrawler. The deeper fish tended to be a bit smaller, hitting crawlers and minnows. At depths of 30-plus feet of water the catch became mostly sauger. Please note that anglers fishing in the Crane Lake area can keep four walleye under 17-inches, and one over 28-inches, with two sauger also allowed for a total daily possession limit of six. 800-362-7405
Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
As of late last week, Lake Vermilion water temperatures measured 82.6 degrees in Pike Bay, and 76.6 degrees in Big Bay. One guide took most of his fish from Big Bay's rocky reefs when using lindys or slip bobbers with crawlers or leeches. Depths of 16-29 feet were best. Slow trolling or drifting with a lindy rig seemed the most effective, however he also had success when casting and slowly retrieving a light 1/4-ounce lindy rig. 800-648-5897
Ely
800-777-7281
Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Some huge walleye have recently been reported from anglers fishing at the end of the Gunflint Trail. On Gunflint Lake, a 28-inch walleye was reeled in on leeches worked in roughly 25 feet of water. Just a few miles north of Grand Marais, good-sized walleye and northern pike are coming from Devil Track and Elbow lakes. The walleye anglers are having success using traditional baits, such as spoons with minnows or night crawlers. Large northern pike have been most responsive to spoons on Mink, Kimball, Hungry Jack and Sawbill lakes, just to name a few. On West Bearskin, a huge, 38-inch northern, with a 17-inch girth was takne on a minnow! Lots of lake trout are being taken on crawlers worked on lakes all along the Gunflint Trail, including Trout, Hungry Jack, and Poplar lakes.
Grand Rapids
Fishing in the Grand Rapids area has been great. Professional anglers report having success during morning hours when working shoreline breaks in roughly 9 feet of water. A good bait system has been a northland baitfish spinner harness pulled behind a 1/4-ounce bullet weight at 1.2 mph. As the sun rises, fish are moving into depths of 12-13 feet. Walleye and perch seem to prefer sunrise-colored jigs tipped with a nightcrawler. For northern pike, professional anglers did well when they switched the previous presentation to yellow perch in color. The key ingredient for both depths was mature vegetation. Crappie action has been good on most area lakes, especially during evening hours on the weed beds. A good bait system is a 1/16-ounce thumper jig tipped with a minnow or tube. Bass are active in the shallows, hitting reed runner spinner baits. Walleye action on Lake Winnibigoshish has been good along the shoreline weeds; for the most fish, use spinners with a nightcrawler, minnow or leech. Start planning your next fishing trip with a Professional Grand Rapids Area Fishing Guide. 800-355-9740
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers report that walleye action remains hot on Lake of the Woods. One approach that has worked well is to pull a crawler harness on the rock piles and reefs, including Archie's, Knight, Bridges, Starren Shoal, and off of Little Oak. Anglers are taking trophies when pulling crankbaits on leadcore, downriggers or 3-ways, with fish found in depths of 30-35 feet just south of Garden Island, north of Long Point, in front of Graceton Beach, and in front of Pine Island. At the Northwest Angle, walleye are active on the reefs in the southern portion of the Angle. Depths of 25-30 feet seem to be best, however, a few of the larger fish were taken on crankbaits worked at the exposed rocks in water as shallow as 6 feet. Steady weather conditions kept Big and Little Traverse hopping, with many groups reporting over 100 fish per day when using jig & minnow combinations, crawler harnesses, and crankbaits. Muskie anglers are taking good numbers of fish from the rocks and weed edges on bucktails, crankbaits and gliders. Smallmouth bass are active on top of the rubble reefs and deep water rock points. The AIM Pro Walleye Tournament will take place August 16-18, with some openings for both pro and amateur anglers still available. 800-382-FISH
Bemidji
Surface water temperatures are now in the high-70s to low-80s in most lakes. Oxygen levels below the thermocline in the deeper lakes are running low, especially in lakes with enough algae to tint the water green. Many fish are moving back into the weedy shallows for shade and higher oxygen levels. Some of the walleye, perch and northern pike are moving on top of the mid-lake structure. Large flats, bars or sunken islands covered with chara, a.k.a. sand grass, give cover to crayfish, insects and minnows, making them attractive feeding areas for walleye and other predatory fish. Patches of rocks and cabbage weeds make them even more enticing. Anglers have been catching walleye on the breaklines or above the thermocline in deeper waters on bottom bouncers and spinners tipped with leeches or crawlers. Speed and spinner color and size are important; consider a quick change spinner clevis so you can find the right color combination as quickly as possible. Anglers are taking some fish when trolling crankbaits through the shallows and deeper waters; use leadcore to reach the right depth. Line counter reels are important to help anglers get their bait into the correct zone once the right amount of line is let out. Perch are reportedly very active on the flats. Bass action has been great in most lakes in shallow, heavy cover. Northern pike and muskie have been active on the cabbage weeds edges. 800-458-2223
Cass Lake
Walleye are hitting crawlers and leeches during the day in 12-20 foot depths on Cass and Pike Bay lakes. At dusk, try crankbaits in 6-8 feet of water. Perch are active in 10-14 feet of water on both lakes. Panfish can be found in the cabbage & lily pads, along with aggressive largemouth bass. Muskie action has picked up, with a 50.5 inch fish recently taken on a small bucktail. On nearby Lake Winnibigoshish, water temperatures have risen to roughly 78-degrees and few walleye can be found on the humps. Anglers are having the most success when running spinners tipped with half of a crawler through 10-11 feet of water over weeds. Lots of nice-sized northern pike have been mixed in, along with some perch. Perch are starting to show up on rock humps in 15 feet of water. Crankbaits are best for the northern pike; expect an occasional walleye as well. 800-356-8615
Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish
218/665-2268
Walker - Leech Lake
Surface water temperatures have risen to the high-70s, and even the low-80s in some spots on Leech Lake. The walleye have become more scattered, but can still be located by anglers willing to cover more water. The most successful tactics during the day have been trolled spinner baits, crawler & leech set-ups, and lindy rig presentations. Evening fishing has been best, especially in Walker Bay's Sand Point and Cedar Point. Two productive methods are anchored with a lighted bobber and small jig & leech, and trolled or drifted lindy rigs with a crawler or leech. Many anglers pulling crankbaits during daytime and late evening hours are taking lots of large fish. Pulling crankbaits along the weedlines has also been successful for catching northern pike. With the warm water temps, muskie action should heat up very soon. Bass action has been good in the many harbors and bays. Steamboat Bay has offered the best panfish bite. 800-833-1118
Hackensack
Walleye anglers continue to take fish when using crankbaits. Area lakes are also giving up lots of sunnies, crappies, bass and northern pike. Muskie fishing is taking off, especially on Leech Lake. 800-279-6932
Park Rapids
While fishing has been very good for most species, the walleye have been more difficult to find. Bass, northern pike, muskie, crappie and bluegill anglers are doing well in the deeper waters. For the largest gamefish, hit 16-35 feet of water. The panfish can be found in depths of 8-20 feet. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have been active at the deeper weedlines, with the largemouth coming from 8-20 feet and the smallies coming from 8-30 feet. Some of the fish are feeding on crayfish on the edge of the rock and weed edges, while others are searching deeper for schools of minnows. Soft plastic baits such 1/4-ounce mimic minnows, have been very productive; use topwater lures during calm water situations. And don't be afraid to cast a topwater into deep water when the bass are breaking the surface. Crappies and large sunnies have headed toward the deeper weed edges where they are hitting tiny jigs tipped with soft plastic bodies; just cast the jig and let it hit the bottom. Muskie activity has been very good on a number of local muskie lakes, with a 52-inch muskie caught and released last week on Mantrap Lake. Anglers are having the most success using a bass-sized bait instead of a traditional large muskie lure. Mantrap lake has also given up lots of large northern pike, and it is not uncommon to take several fish in the low 30s and larger. Walleye anglers are taking some fish by trolling crankbaits 15-25 down in 30-50 feet of water. Leadcore line attached to a salmo hornet has been tough to beat. 800-247-0054
Detroit Lakes
All fish species seem to be very weed related, with anglers taking bass, walleye, northern pike, sunfish, and even muskie from the inside and outside weed edges, as well as in the weeds and over the tops of weeds. A new hatch of perch have attracted many predator species so the minnow bite has really picked up. Leeches and crawlers also continue to work well. Surface water temperatures are in the high-70s to mid-80s on most lakes. Some of the dark, shallow lakes have even reached the 90 degree mark, with subsequent fish kills due high temperatures & low oxygen levels. Most affected seem to be the whitefish, tullibee, suckers, and some northern pike. Summer patterns are in full swing, so trolling spinners and crankbaits has been very effective for many anglers. Walleye anglers are taking fish from depths of 18-28 feet on main lake points and mid-lake structure. The sharp breaks off the edge of deeper weedlines have proved to be productive as well for eating-size walleye. For the most fish, jig a minnow, or rig a minnow, leech or crawler. And for the most muskie action, check out Big Detroit and Pelican lakes. 800-542-3992
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Otter Tail Lake walleye continue to bite. Anglers are having the most success in depths of 10-25 feet when using crawlers and spinners. During evening hours, use a purple or firetiger shad rap in 5-10 feet of water. Bass and sunfish remain very active on all lakes. 800-423-4571
Glenwood
Extreme heat has slowed the walleye action, however, some fish continue to be pulled from Minnewaska on nightcrawlers and leeches. Most area lakes have been good for bass and northern pike. Sunfish anglers report that the size and numbers have improved, especially on Minnewaska. 320/634-3636
Whitefish
Fishing activity varies throughout the Whitefish Area. While walleye numbers are down, fish can be found using lindy rigs in 20-plus feet of water at the points, bars and humps. At dusk, troll rapalas. During the day, search with spinners tipped leeches or crawlers behind a button bouncer. The largest northern pike are deep, with fish coming from 25-plus feet of water on jigs and rigs tipped with a minnow. The smaller northerns remain shallow. For sunfish, hit the weeds in 12-15 feet of water using crappie minnows or small leeches. Bass, like the northerns, tend to be larger the deeper you go. Foley's Bar has given up some large bass to anglers using lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers in 20-25 foot depths.
Pine River
800-728-6926
Brainerd Lakes Area
800-450-2838
Aitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
800-526-8342
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
The Lake Mille Lacs walleye bite has slowed a bit, however, large fish continue to bite consistently during the day. The best approach is to hit the deep edges of the mud flats using spinners and crawlers. Lead-core lines with small shads and hornets have also been producing a good number of fish. At night, bobber fish at the rock/flat transitions. The northern pike bite has been pretty good, and the muskie bite is picking up. Smallmouth bass action has been excellent, especially when using three- to four-inch tube jigs, plastics, and even bobbers in 15-18 feet of water. 888-350-2692
Willmar
The Willmar Lakes Area continues to give up lots of fish. For sunfish, crappies and walleye, check out Diamond and Green lakes. Eagle, Florida, Andrew and Games lakes are producing lots of bass, northern pike and panfish. Most of the successful anglers are using crankbaits and shad raps in 10-15 feet of water during morning and evening hours. 800-845-8747
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls
Despite hot temperatures, one avid angler continues to have good results on the St. Croix River. Earlier this week, she pulled in a few walleye, some smallmouth bass, and a northern pike during one morning of fishing. A slight wind seemed to help with the walleye, with fish then responding to a lindy rig tipped with live bait. Locating a school of baitfish hugging the shoreline was a great indicator of where to look for walleye. For the most keeper-sized fish, troll rapalas. 715/483-3580
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
651/257-1177
White Bear Area Lakes
The heat has moved fish deeper than normal, slowing the bite a bit as well. Still, anglers that are willing to put in the time continue to take fish. The sunfish are holding in depths of 10 feet on White Bear Lake and Bald Eagle lakes. The crappies have moved into 15-20 foot depths on both lakes, hitting leeches and crappie minnows on small jigs under slip bobbers. Northern pike and muskie action is actually heating up, with sucker minnows and fast-moving spinnerbaits both producing fish. Bass are hitting leeches, crawlers and plastic worms on jigs at the deeper water weedline edges. Walleye are being pulled from 12-18 foot depths on Bald Eagle Lake by anglers using fathead minnows and leeches. 651/653-5122
Waconia
952/442-5812
Southern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
877-525-3248
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Thursday, July 19, conditions were mostly clear and low for Canfield Creek, Forestville Creek, Duschee Creek, the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro, and the South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park. Similar conditions were reported for the Whitewater River system on Monday, July 16. At the time of this report, a blue-winged olive spinner fall was reported during cloud cover on Trout Run. Large and active hoppers were also reported. Locate the meadow/grassy areas for the best fishing. For detailed fishing maps showing defined property lines and easements, check out Trout Angling: Southern Minnesota. 800-944-2670
Rochester - Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
The area has had just enough rain to sustain fairly good water levels in the rivers. Unfortunately, the heat has taken a huge toll on fish in area lakes, with one small manmade lake losing over 140 northern pike last week. The lakes have also been affected by high amounts algae; please be careful when bringing dogs along since these conditions can be particularly dangerous for dogs that ingest this water. Rivers are by far the best option for southeastern Minnesota anglers at they have not experience such algae growth and elevated water temperatures. One area guide found crystal clear water conditions and excellent fishing when canoeing and fishing the Zumbro River from Zumbro Falls to Hammond earlier this week. One recommended approach was a popper on a fly-rod or spinning rod. Flukes on hooks without weight also worked very well; twitch the fluke then let it fall naturally. Smallmouth bass are especially susceptible to this approach, with one fish actually flying out of the water to grab the fluke as it cleared tall grass! Be sure to cast as close as possible to shore. Anglers are also enjoying the lack of bugs, with no mosquito breeding areas due to the lack of rain. Anglers can camp along the Zumbro River, leave the tent flap open and never get bit! Summer is definitely here, and the fishing is great. This is a great time for anglers to hit the water! 800-634-8277
Winona
While fishing has slowed somewhat due to recent high temperatures, some walleye continue to be taken on leeches and willow cat minnows during low light hours; check the wing dams and current breaks on the Mississippi River for the most fish. Sunfish remain fairly active, hitting worms and artificial lures. Crappies are in the structure, such as old tree trunks and limbs where there is current. A minnow on a gold Aberdeen hook s is a good choice. Catfish are active, hitting stinkbaits on a three-way river rig with enough weight to keep it on the bottom. Northern pike have responded best to sucker minnows. Silver bass action has been good around the current breaks near the Lock Dams, as well as on the downside of the wing dams. For the most fish, use fat head minnows, or streamers with Colorado or willow blades. Trout action in southeastern Minnesota streams and rivers has been excellent, with lots of rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout being reported! 800-657-4972
Faribault Area Lakes
800-658-2354
Albert Lea
800-345-8414
Fairmont Area Lakes
800-657-3280
Ortonville -Big Stone Lake
Fishing remains very good for Big Stone Lake. Fewer anglers are heading out due to recent high temperatures, however, those that do report lots of walleye, perch, and white bass. Perch anglers are doing well when jigging pieces of nightcrawler or a minnow just above the bottom in all of the traditional perch hot spots such as BayView, GrapeVine, and Rocky Ledge. We have heard of and seen many limits of perch in the 7- to 12-inch range. Dock anglers are also taking lots of perch. While this is unheard of in July, anglers are really enjoying this continued bite. Walleye anglers still favor open water trolling at the weedlines. Many have switched from pulling a bottom bouncer/spinner/crawler combination to pulling crankbaits or shad raps. The advantage to trolling is hooking some large perch (12- to 13-inches) and some white bass. For the most walleye, troll the deepest part of the lake, typically 13-14 feet. Limits of walleye continue to be taken, but they are not as common as they had been two weeks ago. Surface water temperatures are averaging 84-degrees in most areas. Casting shad raps has also been productive. One area guide was very pleased when he anchored in the GrapeVine area, casting number 5 shad raps, and taking 11 jumbo perch in just 30 minutes! The perch would follow the lure right up to the boat and even attempt to jump out of the water to hit the lure. An exciting time to be sure! While it is unusual to have such a variety of fish being caught in the middle of July, anglers are very pleased with the quality, quantity and variety of fish this year. Come check out all that Big Stone has to offer! 800-568-5722
