Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - July 10, 2015 The mayfly hatch has ended in many areas of the state, and walleye are biting more frequently in these areas. Live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers are producing the majority of walleye. Bass action remains excellent, and this a great way to introduce kids to fishing!
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2015/2016 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 9; bass, May 23; muskie, June 6. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. Seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Basics web page for the most current information.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
The mayfly hatch is over and the walleye are biting more frequently. The key is to know when and where. In the mornings, check some of the wind-driven points in roughly 15 feet of water by slowly trolling a leech or crawler. During midday hours, try jigging with a leech or a worm in areas with underwater structure. Some of the best walleye fishing has been east of Brule Narrows, but there are some good underwater humps west of the Brule as well. Smallmouth bass have been active, hitting artificials cast to shadowy areas along the rocky shorelines, especially those near weed beds. Don’t be surprised if you catch a northern pike. For the larger pike, use a large minnow rig at the wind driven points. On the Rainy River, many anglers are concentrating on the sturgeon. The tag season resumed on July 1, and you must have a tag to keep one sturgeon measuring 45- and 50-inches long, or over 75-inches long. The river is swift, so you may need a heavy weight to get your worms or crawlers to the bottom. Look for the deepest spot to drop your line. Walleye have been most active in 16-18 feet of water during afternoon hours. River walleye are responding best to spinner rigs tipped with minnows. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
As of last weekend, anglers were marking fish on the reefs in 28-35 feet of water, but it was a struggle to get them to bite. By this weekend, slip sinker rigs with leeches or crawlers should produce fish in depths of 15-25 feet. Jig and minnow combinations, or short snells on slip sinker rigs worked in 28-35 feet of water should also produce fish; don’t be surprised if you take some perch and sauger as well. The smallmouth bass bite has been sporadic, but anglers are taking fish near the rock ledges and rocky shorelines. Crayfish lures and surface lures should get their attention. Northern pike are plentiful, and the larger females are roaming in the deeper waters and at the deep weed edges. Occasionally, pike can also be found feeding in shallower waters adjacent to these deeper waters. Lost, Daily and Namakan bays have been great choices. Study your map and check wind direction before you head out to improve your chances catching fish. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comDuluth - Lake Superior and inland waters
Anglers have had to work harder to get walleye to bite. The best approach seems to be a simple jigging technique with live bait. Anglers that have had success along the south shore of Lake Superior have used a fast 2-mile per hour troll with stick baits either long-lined or off planer boards. The inland waters continue to produce lots of bass, northern pike and bluegills. These fish have responded to live bait and fake bait in the deeper waters with deep weed growth or shade. The structure has also given up fish. Anglers interested in catfishing will want to check out the Floodwood Catfish Days this weekend, July 10-12. This celebration is in the town of Floodwood, located roughly 45 minutes west of Duluth. 800-438-5884;
www.visitduluth.comGrand Rapids
The weed growth on area lakes has provided great habitat for all species of fish, and fishing has been excellent! Northern pike have been especially cooperative, with Wabana, Spider, Pokegama, Trout, Bass and North Star lakes giving up nice fish. Bluegill action has been incredible. Most area lakes are producing nice catches of bluegills, many measuring 9- to 11-inches. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing remains excellent at the traditional spots, but don’t overlook the deep weed edges and rock piles. Walleye are coming from the weed edges and offshore structure on spinners and crawlers, shad raps, bottom bouncers and spinners, and slip sinker rigs with crawlers, leeches or creek chubs.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers are catching limits of walleye and sauger on Lake of the Woods, with trophy- and picture-worthy walleye in the mix. Pine Island, Light House Gap, Graceton, and Zippel Bay have been great locations, especially when jigging in 25-30 feet of water. Jigging in 22-26 foot depths has been best from Long Point to Archie's Reef. Anglers pulling spinners through 10-15 feet of water have had success in the same areas. Knight and Garden Island reefs have also been good to anglers pulling spinners through 8-16 feet of water. The best colors are pink, gold, and orange. Some resorts are starting to down-rig in these areas. The sturgeon season opened July 1 on the Rainy River. The best approach is to anchor and work the pockets in roughly 22 feet of water. Extra weight and additional crawlers have been necessary due to strong current. Walleye and saugers are making anglers work a bit harder on the river. For the most fish, work depths of 16-18 feet during evening hours. Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye anglers are taking limits when jigging leeches in depths of 14-16 feet at the island shorelines. Anglers are also having success at the points near Oak Island. The reefs in Little Traverse are heating up, especially on windy days—check the deepest reefs for the biggest fish. For northern pike and bass, hit the bays and weed beds. Lots of catch-and-release muskies continue to be reported, with quite a few taken by walleye anglers using rattle traps with beads, or jigs and rattle traps with tubes. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
Mayfly hatches have begun on Lake Winnibigoshish, with clouds of them coming up from the deep waters. Surprisingly, the walleye bite has been pretty decent. The key is to fish high and wide in the deeper waters. Spinners with crawlers or leeches have been the ticket. On the main lake bars, run the tops in 13-20 feet of water, 10-15 feet down. Troll fairly fast, at 1.5-mph, to keep perch at bay, then roll off the edges without dropping your lines. Most strikes are taking place as you move into the deeper waters. Cover as much water as you can for active fish. The humps on the northern end of the lake have also been good. If the fish are on the hump edges, just fish deeper. Tops are in the 13-19 foot range. Run off the edges without dropping your bait, then hang on. On windy days, or in low light conditions, fish the weed edges using rigs and leeches. The perch bite has been good off the edges of the main lake bars in 25-35 feet of water. For the most fish, use jigs and minnows. Northern pike are moving into the weeds, and have been easy to catch! Water temperatures are in the mid-70s so summer bite windows are roughly 15- to 20-minutes several times a day. On dark, cloudy days, the bite windows run a bit longer.
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
Walleye anglers are having to work a bit harder due to abundant forage from the mayfly hatch and large schools of minnows. Those that stay on the move and remain versatile are having success. On hot, calm days, try pulling a crawler harness or a spinner rig on the sand flats. At the rocks, use a bottom-bouncer rig set-up. A lindy rig with a long leader, colored hook, light weight and leech or crawler has been a great combination. Bobber fishing with a leech on the weedlines or sand flats is starting to turn fish as well. Morning and evening hours have been best. In the main lake, fish depths of 16-20 feet on calm days, and depths of 10-14 feet on windy days – the windswept points should also produce fish. On the east side of Leech Lake, look to the rocks at Submarine Island, Mokey, Pelican Reef and North Bar. On the west side of the lake, hit the Grand Vu Flats, the Hardwoods and Sucker Bay. Walleye anglers are also having success at the Walker Bay humps in 15-30 feet of water during the day. During evening hours, check Sand and Cedar points. Trolling crankbaits in the evening is starting to produce more fish throughout Leech Lake. 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comDetroit Lakes Area Lakes
The walleye bite on Detroit Lakes area lakes remains great at the humps and bars in 18-26 feet of water. Live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers, and bottom bouncers with spinners have been best. Some anglers are also having success with jigging rapalas. Bass have been active at the weed edges in 12-16 feet of water, and near the docks. The lifts and shoreline structure have produced some quality catches. Muskie anglers are having success chunking baits instead of trolling. Panfish anglers are enjoying the amazing sunfish bite. The key has been to find the larger bulls. Bobber fishing, jigging, and rigging are all working well with small leeches, pieces of crawler, gulp and plastics. Northern pike are attacking crank baits, bass spinners, and rigs with large suckers at the deep weed lines. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Anglers are doing well on area lakes when using a 3- to 5-foot snell with a leech or crawler in 10-15 feet of water where the main weedline relates to structure. Use a floater hook when the bottom is mossy. If walleye don’t respond at the shallow shoreline breaks, move out a little deeper and check 15-25 foot depths. Look for the mid-lake humps and bumps that are surrounded by deeper water. Northern pike anglers are taking fish from the 10-15 foot weed lines when using minnows or spoons. Crappies, bass, and sunfish have all been active in the weeds. Crappies can be found suspended when using crappie minnows at the weeds in depths of 8-15 feet. Bass are responding best to spinnerbaits worked in 8-14 feet of water. For exciting sunfish action, use worms or waxworms in 5-8 foot depths. 800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comBrainerd Lakes Area
The walleye bite has picked up and it is the best it’s been so far this year. Anglers are finding fish in 8-13 feet of water with weeds and rocks nearby, and along the inside edge of the weedlines. Leeches have been best, but crawlers are turning fish as well. Bass are active in the cabbage—check both the inside and outside edge of the weeds. Mid-lake humps are also holding fish, with rubber power worms working best. Some large bluegills are coming from the tops of the cabbage, with large bulls taken this week. 800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
As of late last week, the Lake Mille Lacs walleye bite was best on the mud flats. Leeches were the top bait. For the most fish, use a leech and a long, 6-10 foot snell, or use a leech under a slip bobber. Some of the largest walleye, however, came in on crawlers and spinners. Check the bottom, as well as the top and bottom edges of the flats. Smallmouth bass action was great around the big rock piles in 8-12 feet of water, with fish hitting tubes, wackys and leeches. Northern pike action was good near Garrison, and at the weedlines across the north end. Most of the pike responded to large sucker minnows drifted under a bobber. 888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
Fishing off the docks remains great for sunfish, crappies and bass on Diamond, Eagle, Florida and Andrew lakes. The walleye bite has been good during morning hours on Eagle, Diamond, Florida and Green lakes. Anglers fishing Nest Lake have had a blast with all of the largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish action. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
White Bear Area Lakes
White Bear Lake is giving up bass on the Mahtomedi side of the lake. Anglers fishing from the pier by Lions’ Park are taking good numbers of sunnies and crappies. Bald Eagle Lake is giving up sunnies and crappies around the weedlines in 10-15 feet of water. Some walleye are being taken from similar depths. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Thursday, July 9, area streams and rivers were in great shape with mostly clear water conditions and a normal water flow. Fisheries staff reported that fishing had been spectacular for a number of days. There were reports of small caddis (#18-#20, possibly Little Red Twilight Sedge) coming off in the evenings. There were also reports of a mystery #18 pale mayfly. Hoppers were around. As 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. Anglers are encouraged to stop by a DNR Fisheries office in southeast Minnesota to pick up a copy of the new 2015 Trout Angling Opportunities in Southern and Central Minnesota booklet. Check the DNR Fisheries web page for locations. Check out the Fly Casting Clinic offered this weekend, July 11, at the National Trout Center in Preston, with tips and techniques from a certified IFF Master Fly Casting instructor. Bring your own equipment or use theirs and improve your casting. Please dial 507-867-8801 to reserve a spot. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
River fishing has been spectacular. Water levels are dropping, and the clarity is improving. Action has been best when fishing pressure is lowest, such as during midweek and early in the morning. These are also the times when you are most likely to have the river to yourself! Chester Woods Lake has given up nice numbers of bluegills, crappies and largemouth bass during late afternoon and evening hours. The trout streams are becoming more difficult to fish due to tall weeds and wildflowers. While the fish are there, it has been difficult to target them while casting around the vegetation. On the Zumbro and Root rivers, bass are starting to hit baits presented on top of the water. Time of day has not been much of a factor. Pay attention to the weather fronts since the bass and muskie really turn active before some fronts. Action should remain very good from now until the beginning of October. 800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.orgOrtonville - Big Stone Lake
Anglers fishing Big Stone Lake last weekend were pleasantly surprised with the nice-sized walleye and perch they caught. While few limits were taken, the quality of the fish was wonderful. Anglers pulling crank baits down the center of the lake took lots of 10- to 11-inch perch. Bottom bouncers with spinners and crawlers also worked well. Dock anglers took a mixed bag of fish. As the hottest part of the summer approaches, anglers should concentrate on the center of the lake, along with some of the traditional perch spots. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
