Explore Minnesota Fishing Report September 19, 2013 Fish are beginning to school and bite more aggressively. Minnow action is taking over, however, crawlers and leeches continue to produce fish. Morning and evening hours remain best. Please remember that the smallmouth bass season is now "catch-and-release" only through February 23, 2014 on inland lakes.
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 walleyes are still being pulled from the mid lake structure in 30 feet of water. Jigging with a minnow has been best. Areas mentioned range from Stubs Shoal east to the Fox Islands, and again on the reefs east of the Brule Narrows. Anglers looking for smallmouth bass on the windward points are finding both smallmouth and walleyes. Crappie action has been best in Black Bay, but there are some good reports coming from areas around Grindstone and Dryweed Islands. The sturgeon have been quite active, particularly below the rapids. Manitou Rapids near Loman is easily accessible from the wayside rest, and the Long Sault can be accessed from Franz Jevne State Park or Nelson Park in Birchdale. There is also a solid stairway providing access at the Koochiching County Park wayside just west of Birchdale. Walleye fishing has been pretty good in the Rainy River near International Falls both in the area above the dam east of town and in the area below the dam west of town. Rainy River walleye are definitely preferring shiner minnows. Fall colors are starting to show in the forest. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Cooler temperatures have led to a vast improvement in fishing action, and it seems all species are responding. The lake water temperatures are now in the mid-60s. Surprisingly, anglers are finding walleyes in less than 12 feet of water, and there is a good, consistent bite in depths of 30 feet or more. For the most walleyes, hit the reef tops and vertical drops from the shallow points down to the 30 feet of water. Artificial lures trolled in 28-33 feet of water have been producing nice northern pike, walleyes and sauger. Live bait anglers are having lots of success using jig and minnow combinations, with slip sinker rigs also producing fish. During morning hours, work the shallows, then move gradually deeper as the day progresses. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
Walleyes are responding well to slowly-trolled minnows and crawlers, either with or without a spinner rig. The larger fish are hanging out in the deeper holes, but the eating-size walleyes are scattered throughout the water column, often in waters as shallow as six feet. Many smaller bait fish are hugging the shoreline, drawing in lots of walleyes. Northern pike are as voracious as ever, slamming spinners and spoons. One group of anglers recently netted over 60 pike while trolling spinner rigs tipped with a small sucker. Fishing a sucker or other large minnow under a bobber from a boat or off shore can also be very effective. Crappies are beginning to bunch up nicely at dusk, and they are particularly vulnerable to small minnows under a bobber or attached to a small jig. Small jigs tipped with a tiny plastic tail can be a very effective searching tool for slabs; check the weeds or look for them to be suspended off the points extending from shore. Lake trout fishing has slowed considerably, but this doesn't mean they have stopped feeding. The best approach is to troll a spoon or rapala-style bait through 50-65 feet of water for the larger fish. Some walleye anglers are even catching a few lake trout while fishing in 20 foot depths. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
The cooler nights seem to be pushing the fish deeper. On Elbow Lake, just out of Grand Marais, this shallow lake continues to producing walleye for anglers using live bait. On Cascade Lake, walleyes are coming from roughly 25 feet of water, and trolling is still bringing them to the boat. Trout and salmon are very active in 80-140 foot depths. One lucky angler brought in a 12-pound lake trout near Lutsen. The charter boat captains report that the best fishing of the entire season is right now!
www.visitCookCounty.comDuluth/Grand Marais -Lake Superior
As of late last week, angling efforts were heavy along the Lower Shore of Lake Superior, from Duluth to Two Harbors. Water temperatures had dropped to 58-62 degrees. Near Duluth, anglers caught fair numbers of chinook salmon and some larger lake trout. The lakers began to concentrate near bottom structure. Anglers had their best success using spoons or skirts with approved smelt baits. The lake trout ranged from 3 to 15 pounds, and the chinooks were roughly 3 to 5 pounds. Further upshore, trolling was slower. Jigging was still effective on the humps and at the deep structure in 80-150 feet of water when using smelt-mimicking jigs. Fishing effort was moderate to heavy at most stations along the Upper Shore from Twin Points to Hovland, but starting to decrease a bit. Anglers from Grand Marais reported that salmon catches had decreased and the lake trout catches had increased. Most of the lakers were running 3 to 6 pounds with a few larger as well. Lakers were widely scattered with many fish coming from the top 70 feet of the water column and fairly close to shore. Anglers caught some nice 2 to 5 pound chinooks at all stations, but anglers were also catching more 10 to 16 inch chinooks and cohos. Anglers from Silver Bay and Twin Points caught some nice-sized cohos in the 2 to 3 pound class, along with Chinooks ranging from 1 to 7 pounds. Anglers caught more lakers at all stations, especially at Taconite Harbor and Grand Marais, with some larger lakers beginning to show up in near shore. Lakers weighing roughly 15 pounds were taken in fair and increasing numbers. Pink salmon were observed in both the Temperance and Cascade rivers, although only in light numbers. Anglers from the Grand Marais area reported similar results.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/lakesuperiorGrand Rapids
Fishing continues to be excellent in the Grand Rapids area. Lately, anglers have been targeting panfish, with fish now moving into the shallows on many lakes. Locate the wind swept areas with rice and a muddy bottom for the most fish. Standard round head jigs tipped with a crappie minnow or a piece of crawler has been working well. A northland gypsy jig fished all alone will also do the trick. Anglers are finding lots of true jumbo perch feeding in 4-6 feet of water. Crappies have been active in 9 foot depths.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake of the Woods, pulling lead core and crankbaits in the main basin of the lake has been best this week due to walleyes beginning their move in for the fall. Try 25-27 or 30-35 feet of water over the shallow rocks off Zippel Bay, Stoney, and Long Point for the most fish. A 3/8-ounce gold jig and minnow has been picking up some fish near the Lighthouse Gap and Pine Island. During the day, hit 27-30 feet of water; during evening hours, work depths of 6-12 feet. Sturgeon continue to bite in the Rainy River--please remember that the "keeper" season ends September 30th. For the fight of a lifetime, use a 5- or 6-circle hook with a glob of worms on the edges of the deep holes. At the Northwest Angle, anglers are reporting lots of success when jigging pink, gold or orange jigs with a minnow, especially when fishing depths of 23-27 feet near Skeet, Oak and Crowduck islands. Perch and crappie action has been best when working a jig and minnow in 35-45 feet of water. Smallmouth bass have been very active in depths of 15-25 feet near the rock points. The muskie bite remains good for anglers using shallow-running crankbaits near Oak Island.
800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
The fall cool down has begun in the Bemidji area after a hot beginning to September. Rain and cooler temperatures are expected to drop the lakes back into the 60s pretty quickly. Walleye fishing has been slowly picking up in most of the larger lakes. Walleyes continue to use several different patterns, so anglers may have to try different techniques to see where the active fish are located each day. There are some walleyes feeding in the shallows at the weed edges and on the shallow rocks. Anglers targeting perch with jig and minnow combinations are often catching walleyes and northern pike by accident. Walleyes feeding in the shallow waters in the morning and evening hours will move off the sides of the structure during the day. Anglers should fish bottom bouncers and spinner rigs on the sides of the structure to catch these fish. Anglers are also finding walleyes in deeper waters, with some holding all the way down to the upper edge of the thermocline. For the most fish, use jigs and minnows, or live bait rigs with leeches, night crawlers or larger minnows. Some anglers are catching walleyes using spinners, plastics and other hard baits so it may be more dependent on areas fished. Muskie anglers report more activity recently. Northern pike can be found in most of the same areas as the muskies. Anglers are catching sunfish and crappies on the edges of the tall standing weeds. 800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
The jumbo perch bite has turned hot on Leech Lake. Depths of 9-10 feet at Sucker Bay's 3rd Duck Point and the Oak Point area have been good for both jumbo perch and some walleyes. A chartreuse or multi-colored jig tipped with a golden shiner has been the winning combination. Walleyes are starting to school, with nice numbers taken from 1st Duck to Ottertail, Stony Point and the Goose Island Flats on days with a good walleye chop. While anglers continue to take walleyes using a spinner and crawler combination, a jig and minnow combination is quickly taking over. Muskie fishing has slowed a bit and the fish seem to be scattered in the rocks and weeds. 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comHackensack
Cooler temperatures have really lowered the water temperatures. Fish are starting to group up a bit more, and they are starting to bite more aggressively. Minnow action is taking over, however, crawlers continue to produce lots of fish. Depths of 15-20 feet have given up the majority of fish, but the recent heavy clouds and wind have brought the fish into depths as shallow as 6-10 feet. Jigging fatheads, small suckers, redtails and shiners during morning and evening hours has been the key to success, with lots of eating-sized walleyes and an occasional 24-plus inch fish being netted. Crankbait action has really slowed, but some anglers continue to take a few fish by slowly pulling deep divers along the rocks. Muskie fishing has been fairly slow, but these cool temperatures seem to have motivated them to search for food. Large baits such as bulldawgs, big bucktails, and other larger swim baits have been producing fish. Perch action is heating up on Leech and Big Winnibigoshish lakes. For the most fish, focus on the sand and weed edges out on the flats, and use larger minnows to weed out the little ones. 800-279-6932;
www.hackensackchamber.com Park Rapids
Walleyes are moving into the shallows to feed early in the morning and near dusk. For the most action, use 1/4-ounce glow jig with a 3-inch white twister tail. Live bait is not necessary, but tipping it with a fathead minnow won’t hurt. If possible, use the wind to drift a submerged weedline out from the pencil reeds; the pencil reeds generally grow where the lake bottom is hard and sandy and this is also the preferred habitat for walleyes. The largest northern pike will soon leave their summer haunts, headed for shallower cabbage weed stands in 6-12 feet of water. For a trophy fish, try trolling the weedlines with a crankbait, especially on days when the wind is moving the surface of the water. Largemouth bass fishing has been phenomenal, and deep-diving crankbaits worked slowly are producing some very large fish. Look for long, deep running points near the deepest areas of the lake since this is where the biggest of the bunch should be congregating. Also check the lily pads; dying lily pads repel bass so look for those that are the healthiest. Reports of nice 13- to 15-inch crappies are coming from anglers fishing Mantrap Lake, as well as the Fish Hook Chain of Lakes. Use your electronics and watch for fish stacked up in depths of 5-35 feet. Success will be found on the subtle points protruding into the deep surrounding waters. A 1/8-ounce flu-flu jig tipped with a crappie minnow will work best. For lots of nice bluegills, hit the cabbage weed stands in depths of 8-12 feet using a small insect-like jig and worm. Don’t put your boat in storage just yet, the best fishing is about to begin! 800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.com Detroit Lakes
Walleyes are biting in 18-26 feet of water on most Detroit Lakes area lakes. The best bite for walleyes is transitioning to rigs or jigs with minnows. Crawlers and leeches on rigs are still working well, but leeches have been difficult to find. Muskie activity has been slow, but it is expected to heat up shortly with large suckers turning fish on the shallow flats. Smallmouth bass have been aggressive and this bite should heat up even more over the next few weeks. Check White Earth, Cormorant, Island and Lida lakes for lots of nice 14- to 20-inch smallies. Please note that the smallmouth bass season is now "catch-and-release" only. Water temperatures remain in the mid- to high 60s. It won't be long until the fall bite takes off. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Whitefish - Whitefish Chain of Lakes Region
Walleye anglers are having success with minnows, leeches and crawlers. Lindy rigs and jigs are both working well. Northern pike are hitting light northern pike minnows. For the larger pike, jig in 20-plus feet of water; the smaller fish are scattered at a variety of depths. Bass anglers fishing from the docks are to be doing better using plastics or spinnerbaits. When fishing the outside edge of the weedbeds use a jumbo leech or minnow for the larger bass. Crappies and panfish are responding to lindy rigs with leeches or crawlers worked in roughly 20-22 feet of water.
www.whitefish.orgPine River
Bass and northern pike have been especially active along the deep weedlines. The bass are being taken in waters as deep as 30 feet. Northern pike are cruising in 15-25 foot depths. Most of these fish are being taken on crankbaits, deep-running spinnerbaits, and jig and minnow combinations. Walleyes are beginning to come out of their summer slump, and can be found in 15-35 feet of water using leech/crawler rigs with a small spinner. Walleye fishing will continue to improve as water temperatures cool to normal fall levels. Sunfish have been very active, still hovering in 10-15 foot levels on off-shore bars and points. For the most fish, use a small jig tipped with an angleworm, a piece of nightcrawler or a leech without a bobber. The best fall fishing is right around the corner! 800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Angling pressure has been light on Lake Mille Lacs. Fish have been scattered in depths ranging from 6 to 36 feet, however, most of the fish are coming from 28-32 feet of water. The trolling bite has been decent, but the fish seem to prefer a little larger baits such as a #10 husky jerk, or #7 shad. The leech/slip bobber anglers are doing as well, and possibly a bit better. Again, look deep first. A decent evening reef bite is being reported at various depths all the way up to 6 feet. Some of the better locations have been Greg's Flat, The Graveyard, Sherman's Point and the deep gravel. Some smallmouth bass action is being reported on the deep side of the rock reefs, but this bite is showing signs of slowing down. Senko's and tubes are the top choices. Start on Indian Point, Sherman's Point or Brown's Point for the most fish. Please remember that the smallmouth bass are "catch-and-release" for the remainder of the season. The surface water temperatures have been hovering around 70 degrees. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
It has been very quiet on area lakes. The few anglers that have ventured out have reported success with the walleyes and northern pike when using rigs and slugs in the deeper waters of Green Lake. Other lakes to check out include Diamond, Eagle, Andrew, Florida and Nest. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan area
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Panfish are hitting leeches and worms on all area lakes. Walleyes are being caught during early morning hours and at dusk. The best fishing has been on North and South Center lakes, especially when using leeches, fathead minnows and shiners in 16-18 feet of water. Bass fishing is good on North Center and South Center lakes. Fish can be found in both the deep and shallow waters. Please note that the Chisago Boat Landing will remain closed until roughly September 23rd or 24th for maintenance. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Friday, September 13, conditions were reported to be clear, with low to normal water levels. This is the time for streamers and terrestrials, and there have been reports of some BWO and Trico hatches. Some caddis have also been seen in stream-side spider webs. Area fisheries staff remind us that there are only a few more weeks left for trout fishing this season. As updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
On a recent guided trip on the Zumbro River, one angler cast his line one last time and hooked an 8-inch smallie. As he was reeling it in, it was slammed by a giant muskie. After 30 minutes of battle, it required all 4 in the group to boat this fish, estimated to weigh nearly 35-pounds. Even without the muskie action, the day was already spectacular due to the amazing smallmouth bass action. 800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.org Ortonville -Big Stone Lake
Big Stone Lake is producing even greater numbers of fish, with lots of perch and bonus crappies and bluegills being taken. The favorite spots continue to be Windmill Reef, Grapevine Reef, BayView, and Manhattan Island. Minnows have been best, however, it is wise to have a few crawlers or spikes in the boat in case fish turn finicky and you want to try a new presentation. The key seems to be placing your bait on the bottom. A favorite method is to put some weight about 10-12 inches above your favorite hook and then tip with the bait of choice. When you feel a bite, let the fish take it and then set the hook! There have been a few walleyes reported as well. Recently, a guided trip headed out in search of white bass and one of the anglers caught a 26-inch walleyes. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
