The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Duluth, where walleye fishing has been excellent on Lake Superior. Good numbers of walleyes are also coming from Boulder and Island lakes.
Please note that the smallmouth bass season is now catch-and-release only on inland lakes.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html======================
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Crappies are biting on Fish Lake between the dam and the High Banks. Walleye action has been best on Boulder and Island lakes. On Island Lake, check depths of 12-22 feet depending on the weather. Salmon are starting to bite in the Lester and French rivers off of Lake Superior. Walleye fishing has been excellent on Lake Superior. Along the South Shore, coho salmon are being pulled from the area in front of the Blue River. For the most fish, use small spoons and diving baits such as a rapala shad rap. Recent rainfall has improved action for anglers shore casting for loopers.
Ely
Walleye action remains great, with fish being pulled from a variety of depths, mostly 15-37 feet. The various depths are probably due to some of the smaller lakes having already turned over. The average water temperature is around 57-degrees. Northern pike continue to come in on suckers and large shiners fished in the shallows.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, although the rain kept many anglers off the water, those that did venture out did very well when jigging in depths of 35 feet. Some anglers are frustrated, however, by having to release all walleyes over 17-inches, although they are enjoying all of the walleye action. Anglers are reporting lots of harvest-size fish one day, then only large fish coming from the same location the next day. But that’s fall fishing. Areas to check out include the deep water near the Martins, Blind Ash, Blunt Island and other sharp drop-off structure. Large numbers of northern pike are being pulled from the weedy bays and shorelines. Crappie anglers are taking fish near the Ash River entrance and from West Namakan.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, crappie action is best in Sand Bay. Crappies and a few northern pike being taken from Black Bay. Walleyes are active in 30-40 feet of water in Sand Bay, around the American Narrows, and on the east end reefs.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, walleye anglers report that anchoring and jigging with a shiner minnow has been best for numbers of fish. The fall emerald shiner run is in full swing, and the walleyes are following them up the Rainy River. Morris Gap, Lighthouse Gap, and the Zippel Bay area are producing some nice walleyes and sauger. Anglers are taking limits from 10-14 feet of water. As of October 8th, the Lake of the Woods water temperature was 54.9-degrees. Anglers are also reporting limits of fish from Wheeler’s Point east to Birchdale on the Rainy River. A heavier, 3/4-ounce jig has been best due to a stronger current. The water temperature in the river is roughly 57-degrees, and slightly warm for the largest walleyes. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, nice-size walleyes are coming from the reefs. Large muskie are being taken by trolling near American Point, the north side of Oak Island, and in the Flag Island area.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, a good walleye and perch bite is being reported. For the most fish, hit 8-12 feet of water using a jig and minnow combination, or a lindy rig tipped with a minnow.
Bemidji
Walleye action remains strong, especially on lakes Plantagenet, Bemidji, Andrusia and Cass. Anglers are taking the most fish using jigs tipped with redtails.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, anglers report good walleye action now that the rain has ended. The best presentation has been a fireball jig and rainbow chub. The North Shore, Stony Point, Mallard Point and Raven's Point have been best, especially in depths of 6-8 feet of water. Big Cutfoot Sioux is also giving up excellent numbers of walleyes. For the most fish, hit Bob's Bar, Battle Point and Seeleye Point using a jig and minnow in 10-14 foot depths. Some anglers are doing well when pulling #7 or #8 shad raps along the break from Battle Point to Bowen's Bay. Crappie and bluegill fishing remains good on Little Cutfoot Sioux in depths of 15-18 feet. Small gypsy jigs with half a nightcrawler or minnow has been best. There have been reports of several nice muskies being taken from Big Cutfoot, with one catch-and-release fish measuring 48-inches.
Walker
On Leech Lake, anglers are taking lots of fish on pearl-colored jigs tipped with a minnow. Hit the drop-offs and edges in 17-25 feet of water. Two of the best locations are Grand Vu Flats and the Little Hardwoods. Anglers prefering to pull crankbaits should head to Pelican Island and Diamond Point. Perch are active behind Bears Island and at Traders Bay. Agency Bay has been the hot spot for muskie fishing.
Hackensack
Walleyes are in their typical fall patterns, and hitting jig and minnow combinations, with redtails, golden shiners and fatheads all working well. Lakes to check out include Woman and Pine Mountain. Lots of perch, some measuring 12- to 14-inches, are also being pulled from Woman Lake. Some panfish anglers are doing well using crappie minnows and small jigs on the smaller area lakes.
Battle Lake
Walleye fishing has been inconsistent. Overall, Ottertail Lake has been best. For the most fish, use jig and minnow combination in 7-11 feet of water, or try trolling with lindy rigs with minnows or nightcrawlers through depths of 15-20 feet. Anglers are also taking fish by jigging in 50 feet of water. Fish are biting once you locate them. On Battle Lake, walleye anglers are having some success fishing the weedlines using bottom bouncers and nightcrawlers in 15-20 feet of water during early morning and late afternoon hours. Northern pike are hitting rapalas, spoons and minnows worked along the weedlines on most area lakes. Sunfish are coming in on small leeches, nightcrawlers and waxworms. Crappies can be found suspended 3 feet down in 20 feet of water. Bass action has been good when using spinnerbaits or plastic frogs on most area lakes.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, walleyes are hitting plugs worked in the shallows. Bass and northern pike action is also going strong throughout the lake. For crappies, try a jig and fathead.
Crosby
Walleye action has been best on Rabbit, Clearwater and Serpent lakes, especially when using redtails along the weeds or in 22-40 feet of water. Spinnerbaits tipped with a sucker minnow are producing northern pike in the shallow bays. Crappies are active on Serpent and Little Rabbit lakes. The Mississippi River has been best for smallmouth bass action. For the most fish, use a leech under a bobber, or a topwater lure during low-light hours.
Brainerd/Nisswa/Crosslake
Water temperatures on Gull and Pelican lakes, and the Whitefish Chain, are holding at roughly 60-degrees. Once the temperatures drop further, fishing should improve even more. Lindy rigs and fireballs have been the best presentations, and redtail and rainbow chubs have been the minnows of choice. Fish are being pulled from depths of 14-40 feet. Crappies can be found suspended in 20-30 feet of water, as well as at the deep weedlines on most area lakes. Northern pike and bass are coming from the shallow weeds.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, the perch bite has been excellent. For the most fish, hit the bay areas. Anglers report that the walleyes are moving into more shallow waters as the harvest moon approaches and the water temperatures drop further. Walleye anglers are doing well by trolling rapalas at Garrison Reef. Walleyes are also coming from the top of the gravel, and the shallow rocks, during evening hours. Try a deep-diving crankbait, a reef-runner, or even a minnow in roughly 19 feet of water during the day. During evening hours, just before dusk and up to an hour after sunset, relocate to depths of 7-12 feet.
Grey Eagle
Walleye action has been excellent on Cedar Lake, with some larger fish coming in on fatheads under a bobber, and on jig and minnow combinations during evening hours. Walleyes are also being pulled from Big and Little Birch lakes on shiners and redtails. Kings Lake, near Freeport, is also giving up a few fish. The Mississippi River is producing walleyes on redtails. Mound and Moose lakes are giving up crappies. For sunnies, hit Big Swan Lake.
St. Cloud
The Mississippi River has been excellent for lots of smallmouth bass catch-and-release action. Walleyes, crappies and catfish are also biting on the Mississippi River. Northern pike are active on Clearwater and Pearl lakes. Anglers are catching walleyes on Alexander Lake. Sunfish are hitting waxworms on Clearwater Lake.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Wayzata/Shorewood
On Lake Minnetonka, walleye anglers are taking fish on jig and fathead combinations worked in 28 feet of water. A few fish are also hitting floating crawler rigs. Northern pike and bass can be found tight to the weedlines using spinnerbaits tipped with sucker minnows. Crappies are active during early morning and late evening hours in the channel areas, with jig and minnow combinations working best. Muskie anglers are having success using 16- to 18-inch decoy-size sucker minnows, as well as typical muskie lures such as bucktails, at the large main lake points and humps.
Chisago City
Crappies are active on Chisago, North Center and Little lakes. Walleyes are being pulled from Green Lake, as well as from 4-6 foot depths on Chisago Lake, with rattle traps working best. The St. Croix River is giving up walleyes near Franconia.
Forest Lake
Walleye fishing continues to improve. For the most fish, hit Forest and Clear lakes using a jig and fathead combination in 15-20 feet of water. St. Croix River fishing is also starting to pick up. Muskie action has been good during evening hours when using topwater lures, especially on Forest and Bald Eagle lakes. For numbers of panfish, hit Chisago and North Center lakes--for the largest fish, check out Little Lake.
Oakdale/East metro area waters
Walleye anglers are concentrating on the rivers, with a nice 28-inch walleye pulled from the Mississippi River last weekend. Anglers have also recently taken numbers of saugers, walleyes and crappies from the St. Croix River. For the most fish, use a crankbait, shad rap, nightcrawler, or jig and minnow combination. For lots of catch-and-release bass action, head to Lake Jane.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, anglers are taking good numbers of walleyes and sauger on hair jigs and minnows cast into the rip rap. Northern pike can still be found near the mouth of the Rush River. Panfish and bass are biting around Maple Springs.
St. Peter
Sunnies and crappies are biting on Lake Washington. Walleye action has been best on the Minnesota River. Some anglers are also taking a few fish from Madison and Washington lakes.
Waterville
Panfish are active on Lake Tetonka, with lots of sunnies coming from the lagoon area, especially on crappie minnows and waxworms. Walleyes can be found on various area lakes.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
