Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update, Aug. 29, 2014 Summer fishing patterns are breaking down as water temperatures drop, but the cooler waters will cause fish to feed more aggressively as the try to bulk up before winter. For the most gamefish, try to find the deep-growing cabbage weeds and run your crankbait parallel to the weedlines.
Consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Basics web page for the most current information on seasons and regulations. Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Reefs on the east end of Rainy Lake are the best bet for walleyes currently, with fish hitting jigs tipped with minnows, leeches or worms in roughly 35 feet of water. Some large northern pike and smallmouth bass are being pulled from the rocky shorelines on the south shore of Rainy Lake. The northern pike are in the weedy areas, responding best to large minnows. The smallmouth bass are hitting lures cast towards shore. On the Rainy River, the best walleye and bass fishing remains above and below the International Falls dam. Sturgeon are the primary target, however, with fish hitting worms trolled against the current in 12-20 feet of water. Please note that the sturgeon tag season ends September 30th. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
The fall season means some of the year’s best fishing is just around the corner. As days get shorter and water turns cooler, game fish become more aggressive as they try to fatten up for the cold winter months ahead. Walleye anglers are having success working 25 foot depth at the reefs and structured shorelines near drop-offs, with quite a few jumbo perch mixed in. Leeches or minnows on a jig head or slip sinker rig have been best. Northern pike are aggressively hitting artificial baits, stick baits, and jerk baits tossed up near the deep weed edges. Suckers under bobbers should also turn fish. Smallmouth bass season is in full swing, with many 20-plus inch fish reported. Anglers having the most success are using artificial lures along the shorelines and at the edges of the rock piles. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly Area Lakes
Walleye fishing has had its ups and downs, but anglers willing to spend some extra time on the water have brought home quality fish. The key is to locate a school of bait fish. Crawlers and minnows have replaced leeches as the preferred bait. Large northern pike are still hammering spinnerbaits and spoons, responding best when lures are retrieved rapidly. Smallmouth bass are entertaining anglers using topwater baits, with good numbers reported early and late in the day; during the middle of the day, use a jig and soft bait or a small crankbait. Crappies are most active during low light hours, hitting live and artificial baits worked in waters as shallow as three feet! Most crappies retreat to deeper waters during midday hours. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgDuluth/Grand Marais - Lake Superior
As of late last week, the Summer Creel Survey indicated moderate angling pressure at the Duluth port, and light pressure from the McQuade access to Two Harbors. Anglers were fishing deeper, with success at depths below 120 feet. The largest lake trout reported weighed 10-pounds, and measured 30-inches. The Upper Shore Summer Creel Survey revealed heavy angling pressure at Grand Marais, and moderate pressure at other stations. A few of the lake trout at Silver Bay were in the 4-7 pound range. Grand Marais anglers reported decent action, catching lakers weighing up to 13 pounds. The lake trout have been widely scattered, although many are suspended within 100 feet of the surface in the deeper waters. Grand Marais anglers also caught smaller lake trout in the shallows, although the action was sporadic. Anglers were also picking up a few chinook salmon in the 2-8 pound range, and a few cohos in the 2-3 pound range.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/lakesuperiorGrand Rapids
Crappies and sunnies are still holding at the shallow weed beds, but it won’t be long until they move to their deep water fall haunts. Walleyes and perch are transitioning from the deeper flats to the shoreline beds of thick submerged weeds, areas with sand grass, and shallower mid-lake structure that hold bait fish. Perch can be found at most rocky bottom areas where crayfish linger. Northern pike should also be in these areas, chasing the perch. Good reports continue to come from Pokegama, Trout, Wabana, Big Winnie and Cutfoot Sioux, as well as many other area lakes throughout the Grand Rapids area.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Multiple methods are producing limits of fish on Lake of the Woods this week. Charters continue to head north to Garden Island and Crow Duck, with a mix of downrigging and pulling spinners working best. Archie's Reef is also giving up nice numbers to anglers downrigging in 34 feet of water. Recommended colors include fire tiger, UV pink, and sunset frenzy. Spinner fishing is working well in depths of 15-20 feet. Anglers are doing well just outside the Lighthouse Gap when using spinners tipped with crawlers or leeches and hammered gold spinners. Some success is being reported in front of Graceton Reef in depths of 22 feet, and 5-6 miles straight out from Zippel Bay Gap; jigging with frozen shiners has been best. On the Rainy River, anglers are finding sturgeon in 20 feet of water when using crawlers. Smallmouth bass are coming from the shorelines east towards Birchdale. At the Northwest Angle, Little Oak and Four Blocks are producing good numbers of walleyes in 25-30 feet of water; crawler and minnow harnesses have been best with hammered gold. Muskie hunters are doing well during evening hours when using small cowgirls, especially on nights with a bright sky. Target the shorelines and weedbeds for the best results. Note: Pictured above is an amazing 51-inch northern pike recently pulled from Lake of the Woods by Justin Hammann. Congratulations, Justin! 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Summer fishing patterns are breaking down on area lakes, with the surface water temperatures having already dropped into the high 60s. Most of the larger lakes are producing good numbers of walleyes, with Upper Red Lake still offering up amazing numbers of walleyes. Some of the year’s best fishing occurs in autumn as most species try to put on weight before winter arrives. Now that fall fishing is right around the corner, expect perch to move to the shallow flats to feed. Areas covered with chara are often best since chara provides cover for both minnows and crayfish. Northern pike and muskies will be active on the outside edge of the weedlines, and may also congregate in areas with concentrations of prey. Bass will be moving out of the extreme shallows and gathering into schools on the outside edge of the weeds; if you catch one, expect more action nearby. Crappies and sunnies also become more active in the fall, so anglers’ toughest decision is often what lake to fish and what species to target! 877-250-5959;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
Cass Lake anglers expect fishing to heat up by this weekend due to recent cool temperatures. Look for walleyes in roughly 14 feet of water using crawlers. 800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
Lake Winnibigoshish’s 9-12 foot weedlines remain the best option for keeper-sized walleyes and northern pike, while the main-lake bars and humps continue to produce the largest fish. Spinner rigs and crawlers, and jig and minnow combinations have worked best near Sugar Point, the Birdhouses, Tamarack Point, and Raven’s Point. Perch reports are favorable, with the 7-9 foot weeds off Rich’s Townsite giving up the majority of perch. Some nice fish are also coming from the structure in 20 feet of water.
www.lakewinnie.netHackensack Area Lakes
While walleye action has slowed a bit, Leech Lake anglers continue to take lots of nice fish. Anglers having the most success are using crawlers in 15-20 feet of water. Morning and evening hours are best, but if you are willing to put in the time, fish can also be found during the day. A decent night bite is starting to be reported. Muskie fishing remains great. Anglers are doing well in the rocky areas, but more and more reports are coming from the Walker Bay area. Bucktails are turning the majority of fish. Panfish remain very active on many area lakes. Large bluegills and crappies are being pulled from a variety of lakes including Birch, Woman, and Ten Mile. Use slip bobbers at the edges for the most action. Lots of smallmouth bass are coming from Stony, Woman, and Baby lakes on topwater lures worked off the edges over deeper waters. Working plastics across the bottom has also produced fish. The deeper rock piles have been the most active, especially during early morning and late evening hours. 800-279-6932;
www.hackensackchamber.comPark Rapids
Overnight temperatures recently dipped into the low 50s, and some of the leaves have already started to change color. The cooling water temperatures will cause fish to feed more aggressively with some of the year’s best fishing right around the corner! Expect walleyes to leave the deeper waters, moving to the weed edges in 8-20 feet of water. The majority of the eating-size walleyes are already feeding at the weed-bearing shelves; look for trophy-size fish to migrate here very soon. The late season submerged vegetation provides excellent habitat for some of the walleye’s favorite prey, and the best time to fish these areas is early morning late evening hours. A long shank jig tipped with a minnow or crawler has been best. Some giant muskies have recently been pulled from Mantrap, Elk and Twin lakes. An inline bucktail spinner has been best, but during midday hours, try a topwater lure to get their attention. Scan the lake for large expanses of cabbage weed beds and begin your hunt here. Area northern pike are also putting up a good fight. These fish are hefty after a long summer of feeding, and can be found on the deep edge of the submerged vegetation. A perch crankbait will work best, and be sure to use a heavy action rod since there are some monster pike in the area. The largemouth bass are getting close to their peak weight for the year. Deep-diving crankbaits will lead to the most success. For nearly every other predatory fish, the key is to find deep growing cabbage weeds and run your crankbait parallel with the deep weedlines. Shallow-running crankbaits should also produce fish when cast over the tops of the weed beds--use a slow retrieve with an intermittent pause to make these fish respond. Crappies are active in and around the coon tail weed stands in 6-14 feet of water, especially during evening hours. Crappies feed aggressively during just before dark and will continue to feed through the night if prey is readily available. 800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes Area Lakes
Water temperatures have dropped to roughly 70 degrees in Detroit Lakes area lakes. With cooler nights and shorter daylight hours, expect temperatures to keep falling. Walleyes are still holding at the mid-lake structure in 20-28 feet of water. Anglers are having the most success when rigging minnows, leeches or crawlers, jigging minnows or rapalas, or pulling bottom bouncers, spinners or slow death rigs. Largemouth bass are expected to be very active over the holiday weekend when weather conditions stabilize. Smallmouth bass action will pick up over the next several weeks. Muskie activity continues for anglers using casting baits on Big Detroit, Pelican and Sallie lakes. In a few weeks, there should be a good sucker bite . Crappies and sunnies remain active on the inside and outside weed edges. Water levels are good and there are no problems accessing the lakes. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Country
Fishing in Otter Tail Lakes Country remains great. Walleye anglers continue to take fish during the day on jigs with minnows, and bottom bouncers with night crawlers worked in 10-20 foot depths. At night, walleyes are moving into depths of 5-7 feet of water where anglers are having success using shad raps. Sunnies and crappies are hitting flu flus tipped with wax worms, nightcrawlers, or crappie minnows; work depths of 8-10 feet along the weed lines, or check the weeds in 15 feet of water. Bass anglers are having success using spinner baits and tube jigs in 5-8 foot weed beds. Northern pike are holding at the weedlines in 12-20 feet of water, with minnows and jigs turning the most fish. Muskies can be found in 15-20 foot depths during the day when using large spinnerbaits. 800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comGlenwood
Lake Minnewaska continues to produce walleyes and panfish. Anglers taking the most walleyes are using crawlers with spinners at the outside edge of the weedlines. Panfish anglers are having the most success when working waxworms or small leeches in 12 feet of water. Some large crappies have been biting on west side of Lake Reno. There have been no recent reports on northern pike and bass action.
www.glenwoodlakesarea.orgWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
Walleyes are biting on the edge of the weeds, with some also showing up at the mid-lake structure. For the most fish, try jigs tipped with red tail chubs or minnows. Bass and panfish action is on the rise.
www.whitefish.orgIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
As of late last week, the bite on Mille Lacs was typical of mid-August, and very scattered. A few fish were being taken during the day on slip bobber and leech combinations. The rock reefs (3-mile, Hawkbill, 1 1/4 mile) were producing fish on windy days in 12-18 feet of water. The edges of the flats also produced a few fish. First and last light have been best for numbers. The smallmouth bass bite slowed a bit. Anglers having the most success were using dark-colored and slow-falling tubes or flukes in 7-14 feet of water adjacent to very large rocks. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
The lakes have been quieter as families prepare to send their children back to school. Anglers, however, report very peaceful and enjoyable fishing outings. When fishing for walleyes, troll a bottom bouncer with a crawler harness. Most fish are also responding to crankbaits, #5 and #7 shad raps, and live bait rigs with minnows, leeches or crawlers. You can find sunnies and crappies at the weedlines in 6-15 foot depths. Walleyes are being pulled from 27-30 foot depths. Most area lakes are producing fish. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Thursday, Aug. 28, most area streams and rivers ranged from clear to slightly off, with normal water levels. Rain was expected to fall. On Tuesday, Aug. 26, staff monitoring the South Branch Whitewater reported a small Trico spinner fall, as well as several dozen caddis (two species), craneflies, hoppers, crickets and beetles all on the water. As further updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. You are also welcome to call the office for updates at 507-467-2442. Before traveling, please check out the new detailed fishing easement maps. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Fishing on Big Stone Lake remains excellent. While many anglers continue to target walleyes, they have been pleased with the quality and quantity of perch they have taken. The white bass have added to the fun out on the water. Some anglers report great action when using "salmos" around Manhattan Island. Others have had success using live bait just off the bottom at the GrapeVine and Bay View, with perch, bluegills, bullhead and walleyes all falling for this presentation. One group of anglers trolling crankbaits netted a 26-inch walleye and a 25-inch walleye, and each took their limit over two days of concentrated fishing. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
