Explore Minnesota Fishing Report August 16, 2013 A warming trend is in the forecast for the next week, and surface water temperatures are on the rise once again. Expect more walleyes and other species of fish to move into the shallows, becoming more active during daylight hours. Conditions are expected to remain stable, which should lead to an increase in action.
This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism, with information provided by statewide tourism organizations and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Rainy Lake walleye are being caught on the mid-lake reefs and in the backsides of the shallower bays. Fishing in the bays has also produced lots of crappies, northern pike and smallmouth bass. Jigs with leeches, crawlers or minnows are all working well on the reefs, while trolling a spinner rig is working well in the bays. Areas east of the Brule Narrows are recommended. Anglers are also finding decent fishing on the west end in such areas as Ranier Rapids; bays mentioned include Black Bay, Cranberry Bay and Lost Bay. On the Rainy River, walleyes are still responding to shiner minnows in areas with some depth or structure. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the slower bends on the river where you are also likely to connect with sturgeon. Some of the best fishing in the river has been between the Kuttes Landing at Pelland and the Black River Launch at Loman. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Another week of fall-like temperatures, with anglers picking up a few more fish with a little less effort on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. Minnows, leeches and crawlers have been best, however, artificial lures and lead lines are beginning to produce fish. Reports over the last couple of days indicate that leeches and crawlers with a slow moving presentation have put lots of fish in the boat. Lake Kabatogama's best walleye action is at 18-28 feet of water at the reef edges, especially at the windward shorelines with breaking structure. Sugarbush Island on into Namakan has been best. Jig and minnow combinations are popular again, with anglers having success in depths of 30-35 feet on days with unsettled weather. Many large northern measuring over 40-inches are being taken each week, along with a few 28-inch plus walleyes. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
The walleye bite remains fairly consistent. Cool nights have caused the lake temperatures to drop roughly ten degrees. Walleyes are usually on the deeper structure this time of year, but the fish remain scattered throughout the water column from 5-25 feet down. Slowly trolling or drifting lindy style spinners or crankbaits will allow you to cover more territory and catch the attention of more fish. Large northern pike have been attacking spinnerbaits, spoons and live suckers in 3-10 feet of water. Smallmouth bass weighing up to 6-pounds have been caught using soft baits and crankbaits in 3-10 feet of water around the rocky shorelines and mid-lake reefs. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Trout and salmon catches are strong on Lake Superior. Water clarity is great, and anglers report lots of trout coming from just off the rocky shoreline in 75-125 foot depths. One lucky angler on a charter excursion pulled a chinook from roughly 50 feet of water, and then caught a brook trout near the mouth of the Brule River. Inland anglers are taking walleyes on leeches and slip bobbers, especially during evening hours. Anglers using minnows are also taking walleyes when working 20 foot depths in Gunflint Trail area lakes. Use bobbers when fishing the shoreline or docks, and stick close to the edge of the weed beds. For northern pike, use spinners; on Tait Lake, north of Lutsen, switch to minnows.
www.VisitCookCounty.comDuluth/Grand Marais -Lake Superior
As of late last week, along the lower shore from Duluth to Two Harbors, fishing effort was high from the McQuade small craft access to Two Harbors, however catch rates were lower toward Duluth possibly due to west winds that caused water temperatures to drop into the lower forties. Anglers were seeing many marks on their fish locators at various depths, but most fish were caught within 50 feet of the surface and few fish were caught near the bottom. All chinook salmon have run 4- to 6-pounds, the cohos running either 12- to 14-inches or 18- to 21-inches, and the lake trout varying considerably. Along the upper shore from Twin Points to Hovland, fishing effort was moderate at Horseshoe Bay and Twin Points and heavier at Grand Marais, Silver Bay and Taconite Harbor. Water temperatures remained cooler nearer shore, with average surface temperatures of 49- to 54-degrees near Twin Points and Silver Bay. Further north, nearshore water temperatures were 49- to 52-degrees and offshore temperatures were in the mid-50s. Most lake trout were 2- to 6-pounds, coming from depths down to 200 feet. Anglers at Grand Marais and Silver Bay caught a few larger lakers five or more miles from shore in warmer waters. Two 20-pound lakers were caught near Grand Marais, and some lakers in the mid-teens were caught at Silver Bay. Anglers caught fewer salmon than in the previous week from Twin Points to Silver Bay, however anglers caught more cohos at the more northern sites such as Taconite Harbor and Grand Marais. Chinooks ran 1- to 7-pounds, with most in the 20- to 25-inch range. Cohos were 17- to 21-inches long and weighed from 1.5- to 2.5-pounds. One exceptional coho measured 24-inches long and weighed 3.5-pounds. Anglers caught salmon nearer to shore and within one hundred feet of the surface, often while trolling planer boards or using similar methods near the surface. More steelheads were being reported and the lengths varid from 16- to 30-inches. Lake Superior Fisheries Management.
Grand Rapids
Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing has been good on Pokegama, Big Turtle and several other area lakes. Black and pumpkin colored 6-inch worms on mushroom shaped jig hooks have been working well on the weed lines. Walleye fishing has been decent on area lakes, with some nice fish coming from Bowstring, Sand, Winnie, Cutfoot and Pokegama. Slip sinker rigs with crawlers, spinner rigs with crawlers or minnows, and crankbaits trolled during evening hours have all produced fish. Northern pike have been fairly active in the cabbage weeds where sucker minnows under a float have been working well. Many anglers are also having success when trolling spoons over and on the weed edges at roughly 2- to 3-mph. Minnow baits have also been good choices. Panfish have been active along the weedlines of most lakes, hitting small jigs with a piece of crawler; for crappies, use small minnows.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lots of eating-sized walleyes, include large numbers of trophy-sized walleyes have been reported this week on Lake of the Woods. Trolling brightly colored crankbaits on downriggers or leadcore line at the main basin with deep mud has been the most productive. Schools of walleyes and saugers can be found in 30-35 feet of water out from Pine Island, Long Point, and Garden Island. Drifting with spinners and crawlers over the mud has also produced fish on breezy days, especially at Stony Point and Graceton Beach on south end. Sturgeon are on the move in the Rainy River. Clementson Landing to Birchdale has been best for large fish. Anglers wanting to stay a bit closer should check the bends and the inside elbows during evening hours when they start to jump. Up at the Northwest Angle, deep rock piles continue to produce walleyes. For the most fish, use spinners with crawlers in 22-24 feet of water near Little Oak, Oak, and Lunatic Islands. Northern pike and muskie are in the weed beds, but moving deeper. Anglers having the most success are using spinnerbaits over weed beds, or casting crankbaits over the deeper rocky structures. Evenings have been best. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com,
www.warroad.orgBemidji
A warming trend is in the forecast for the next week, and surface water temperatures are on the rise once again. Another algae bloom is expected once surface water temperatures rise above 70-degrees. This should cause more walleyes and other species to move into shallows and become more active during daylight hours. Spinner rigs with nightcrawlers or leeches are a good option for walleyes. Anglers fishing deeper should use a bottom bouncer. When fishing shallow, use a light bullet or egg sinker, or use a jig on a safety-pin style spinner with plastics or live bait. Most of the larger lakes are producing walleyes, so anglers can now fish the lake of their choice and find cooperative walleyes, especially during morning and evening hours. Jigs and minnows are starting to produce a few walleyes. Anglers can fish larger minnows on a 1/4- to 3/8-ounce jig in the deeper waters; find the bottom and then lift and swim the jig just off of the bottom for the most success. Anglers are pulling jumbo perch from most of the larger lakes when using 1/8- or 1/16-ounce jigs and fathead minnows. Fish close to tall standing weeds, on top of chara covered sand flats, or anywhere else there are crayfish and young-of-the-year perch to eat. Anglers using a jig and minnow will often catch other species of fish, including walleyes and northern pike. A mixed bag of fish can make a great fish fry, so go with the flow and fish for whatever is biting. 800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
Lake Winnibigoshish is producing lots of nice walleyes this week. Trolling remains best, but smaller crankbaits are also working well. Anglers wanting to cover more water should use a spinner tipped with a leech or crawler. If the perch become too pesky, throw out some #7 shad raps or lindy shadlings in firetiger or perch colors, and pick the speed up to 2- to 3-mph. The best walleye areas are fairly large right now. Look to the main lake bar tops in 12-15 feet of water, especially in areas such as Center Bar, and the area between Horseshoe and Bena bars. Also check the shoreline areas from the outside edge of weedlines out to 13 feet of water. Expect a mixed bag of fish, with most walleye running 12- to 26-inches in length. Perch anglers will want to mark areas that give up larger perch, then work it using jigs and minnows. Expect lots of nice-sized fish, measuring up to a foot in length. Panfish are still very active, especially early and late in the day. Crappies have been most active during evening hours. Check the coontail and sparse cabbage beds for crapppies and sunnies.
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
Recent cooler than normal air temperatures have caused water temperatures to drop and the walleyes to become more active. When the wind blows, anglers have really had the advantage. Anglers continue to use bottom bouncers and lindy rigs, trolling or drifting with a crawler or leech. A jig with a leech or crawler will also produce fish. Cooler temperatures have also led to an increase in the jumbo perch bite, but anglers will want to stay mobile until they locate active fish. Areas to check out for both walleyes and perch include Sand Point and Little Cedar. In the main lake, Star Point and the Two Duck Points have been producing walleyes. Some muskie activity has been reported by anglers throwing spinnerbaits into the cabbage weed beds of Portage Bay, and in the rocks around Pelican Island. 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comHackensack
Walleye fishing has been decent, but anglers are having to work a bit harder since fish are spread out. Anglers having the most success are trolling crankbaits. Smallmouth bass fishing has been spectacular, and largemouth fishing has been nearly as good. Lots of nice smallmouth are coming from the rocks, responding to topwater lures. A good sunfish bite is being reported on many of the smaller area panfish lakes. Some evenings there are visible schools of fish attacking insect hatches and small minnow fry. For the most action, use light jigs tipped with waxies. Crappies are also biting well, but the aggressive sunfish will sometimes make it more difficult to get to the crappies. The most successful anglers are hitting lakes with healthier crappie populations, and dragging jigs tipped with small crappie minnows during evening hours. Muskie fishing is really heating up, especially on Little Boy, Wabedo and Baby lakes. For the most fish, use bucktails and topwater lures. 800-279-6932;
www.hackensackchamber.com Park Rapids
The walleye bite remains strong, with anglers pulling fish from the shallow weed cover. Once fish are located, switch your presentation to a lightweight jig and leech. Walleye are often sensitive to sound so turn off your electronic depth finders, and avoid using the trolling motor. Large muskies are coming from the deep growing cabbage weeds on inline bucktail spinners. Largemouth bass are attacking weedless 1/2-ounce jigs with a trailer, spinnerbaits and crankbaits when worked at the lily pads and pencil reeds. For the deeper bass, watch your electronics for the thickest patch of coontail or cabbage weeds, and place a "Texas-rigged" plastic worm with a slightly heavier weight as near to the strike zone as possible. This is a great time to catch a trophy-sized bass. Crappies have been relatively easy to locate since they continue to feed heavily in and around the cabbage weed stands. A 1/16th-ounce flu flu tipped with a small leech is producing good numbers when worked in depths of 5-20 feet of water. Lots of jumbo perch are coming from depths of 20-30 feet over a gravel bottom. Again, a flu flu and leech will entice them to bite, but use a 1/8th-ounce jig to get it to the appropriate depth. 800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.com Detroit Lakes
Walleye remain very active in most Detroit Lakes area lakes. Leeches continue to work well on jigs, live bait rigs, and spinners, but can be difficult to find. Crawlers are working well on live bait rigs and spinners. The minnow bite has picked up when combined with a jig or live bait rig. Depths of 14-24 feet have been best. Smallmouth bass action has picked up, with nice fish coming from Cormorant, Lida and Island lakes. Most fish are relating to weed cover in 13 feet of water or less. For the most action, use jigs, jigging spoons and spinners. Northern pike are active on the deeper weed edges, hitting crankbaits, spinners, spoons, and large sucker minnows on rigs. Fish over 30-inches in length are coming from Sallie, Melissa, Big Detroit, McDonald and Pine lakes. Muskie activity is high on Big Detroit, Sallie and Pelican lakes, with fish measuring over 50-inches caught and released this past week. Anglers having the most success are casting baits over mid-lake weed flats. Panfish are extremely active in the weeds, hitting pieces of crawler, waxies, small minnows, and panfish jigs with plastics. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Glenwood
As of late last week, Lake Minnewaska was giving up walleyes in 14-19 feet of water. The best approach was a leech or crawler on a spinner. Sunfish were more difficult to locate, but quite large once found. 320/634-3636
Pine River
Walleye anglers have been pulling nice numbers of walleyes from Woman, Pine Mountain, and some of the other walleye lakes in the area. Look for walleye in their usual summer haunts, either in the weedbeds or on the deep breaklines in 25-35 feet of water. The best approach has been a small spinner presentation with a leech or crawler, especially during early morning and late evening hours. Bass and northern pike have been aggressive, hitting spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastics worked along the deep edges of the weedlines. Good-sized sunfish are being pulled from the mid-lake bars in 10-15 feet of water. Straight-line fishing with a 1/16-ounce jig and worm, no bobber, is the best presentation. Crappies are coming from along the weed edges at sunrise and dusk. 800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish - Whitefish Chain of Lakes Region
On the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, a few walleyes are coming from depths of 20 feet during lowlight hours, and from deeper depths during the middle of the day. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow combination or a lindy rig with a leech or crawler. Northern pike anglers are taking large fish when using large bait; try a jig with a pike minnow, or bobber fish with any large minnow. Small northern pike will hit almost anything. If in doubt, try trolling a spinnerbait or a rattle trap and see what happens. Large bass remain in the deeper water, responding best to live bait such as large leeches or pike minnows worked at the weedlines in roughly 20 feet deep. For lots of smaller fish, use plastics around the docks. For crappies and sunnies, use crappie minnows or small leeches, fished in or at the weedlines. The largest sunfish are hitting large leeches on lindy rigs in roughly 20 feet of water.
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
Bass, northern pike, panfish and walleyes are being pulled from area lakes. Casting is working well on most area lakes. A leech under a slip bobber will also produce bass, northern and an occasional walleye when worked at the deep weedlines. The key is to suspend the bait roughly 8-14 feet down in depths of 10-20 feet. The best walleye bite has been during early morning and late evening hours. Walleye anglers are taking the most fish when using redtails and creek chubs on a lindy rig in depths down to 28 feet. 800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Lake Mille Lacs anglers continue to report lots of active fish in 27-35 feet of water adjacent to the mud flats and deep gravel. While trolling the deeper waters can be very effective, remember that some fish will respond better to a spinner with a crawler or rainbow worked slowly; even a really slow leech rig may out-perform the other presentations. The preferred colors this week are purple, blue and clown. Northern pike and muskie action picked up last weekend and remains good. While much of the effort has concentrated along the north end, a fair number of fish have been pulled from Wahkon and Isle bays as well. For the most fish, use large sucker minnows. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
Fishing in the Willmar Lakes Area has bounced back and is currently good on most lakes. Sunfish and crappies are being pulled from Diamond, Eagle, Nest, North Long, Florida, Games and Green lakes. Anglers having the most success are working the healthy green weedlines in depths of 6-15 feet of water. Green Lake continues to produce the majority of walleyes. The best depths remain 25-35 feet deep. Current stable weather conditions this weekend and into next week should improve the bite even further. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Wednesday, August 14, a nice trico spinner swarm was reported on the North Branch Whitewater River downstream of Fairwater. BWO spinners (size #20) were still alive in some spider webs, small cream craneflies (size #16) were flying around, and several small caddis were also observed. Fish were rising in the morning and early afternoon hours. On Tuesday, August 13, there were reports of good smallmouth bass and trout fishing. Hoppers were out. Different species of caddis adults were seen on every stream visited. Conditions were clear and normal for most area streams and rivers. As updates on stream conditions become available they will be posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
The forecast for the remainder of this week and into next week calls for little to no precipitation, and temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 80s--perfect for great fishing. While the fish are turning more aggressive, a slower presentation is still recommended. Stay away from topwater lures until roughly next week. At present, any grasshopper or crawfish bait in a suspended mode should work well. Conditions are expected to remain stable, providing stellar end of the summer fishing and a good beginning to hot fall action as fish ramp up their appetite prior to the winter season. 800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.org Ortonville -Big Stone Lake
Earlier this week, fishing was reported to be fairly consistent on Big Stone Lake. The perch anglers continued to pull fish from the GrapeVine Reef, Manhattan Reef, Windmill Reef and around the corner to Cramer's Resort. Some anglers did very well during late afternoon into early evening hours. The bait of choice varied greatly as anglers tried all their favorite techniques. The perch were expected to school up, creating an even better chance for anglers to find a group of active fish. Walleye are being taken when the wind blows; for the most fish, cast crankbaits into the wind blown points. Pulling crankbaits should also produce some perch, northern pike, white bass, and even a sheep head or two. One angler reported pulling crankbaits on the flat across from Schmidt's Landing and netting 26 very nice perch. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
