Explore Minnesota Fishing Report for November 1
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the St. Cloud and Grey Eagle vicinity, where the Mississippi River and various area lakes are giving up good numbers of walleyes. Lots of crappies and sunnies, and a few muskies are also being taken.
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
Walleye action has been best on Island Lake when using a jig and minnow in 18-22 feet of water. Boulder and Fish lakes are producing walleyes in depths of 8-10 feet, with a few crappies also being taken. Up near the dam on the St. Louis River, anglers are taking some nice-size fish. On Lake Superior, anglers are pulling in a few steelhead and loopers when in front of the French and Lester rivers.
Ely
Anglers continue to take good numbers of walleyes on jigs and spinners tipped with a minnow fished at the deeper drop-offs, with some jumbo perch and crappies also coming in.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, walleyes and sauger remain active. Anglers are reporting success in the deeper waters from mid-Kabetogama to east Kabetogama. The best depths vary from 32-35 feet one day to 40-45 feet the next day. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow combination. Northern pike anglers are taking quite a few fish on sucker minnows. Recent cold nights will lead to dropping water temperatures which should result in increased crappie action.
International Falls
Anglers report good fishing on the Rainy River, where the waters levels are dropping, but the current remains strong. Anglers are having success using crankbaits, as well as a heavier jig tipped with a minnow. Water temperatures recently measured 44-degrees.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
Fishing remains strong on the Rainy River, especially in 12-14 feet of water. Limits of fish, and lots of 16- to 18-inch walleyes are being pulled from waters near the Lighthouse Gap all the way to Birchdale. Try anchoring and jigging with a 3/8 ounce jig for the most fish. The most productive colors include orange and white, pink, gold, and green. Water temperatures of 44-degrees were recently recorded. Less debris is coming down the river, and the water clarity is improving.
Bena
The walleye bite remains good on Big Cutfoot Sioux, and anglers that venture out are catching plenty of fish. The key is to stay mobile until you locate active fish, and then stay put using a watermelon- or parrot-colored fireball or gumball jig in depths of 12-18 feet of water. Plenty of walleyes can be found on the Big Cutfoot bars, with a good bite being reported the last hour of the day. And, quite a few crappies and bluegills continue to be taken from Little Cutfoot Sioux.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleye fishing has been excellent at Pelican Island, with trophy-size fish coming in. Anglers report having the most success using the largest shiners. Goose Island and The Hardwoods are also giving up quite a few large fish. The perch have moved into the shallow bays, with lots of fish being taken from Miller and Boy bays. Muskies have been aggressive at Two Points. For the most fish, use a black and white bucktail.
Hackensack
Walleyes remain very active, especially in 5-12 feet of water on Woman Lake. The best approach has been a jig tipped with a redtail or rainbow. Perch action has also been good, with small jigs tipped with a fathead taking fish from depths of 7 feet. Sucker Bay and Oak Point are giving up the most fish.
Pelican Rapids
Walleye anglers report shore fishing to be excellent. The muskie bite has also been great, especially when using large, live bait on Beers, Pelican and Detroit lakes. Trolling suckers on a live harness has been the best approach. For lots of largemouth bass action, hit the bulrush line.
Battle Lake
On Ottertail Lake, walleyes continue to be pulled from 8-10 feet of water when trolling rapalas during evening hours. During the day, hit the deeper waters using a jig and minnow combination. Anglers report having the most success in 40-50 feet of water. A few muskies are coming from Battle Lake, with anglers also taking a few walleyes on golden shiners. For good numbers of sunfish, hit East Lost Lake.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Area lakes are giving up the most walleyes during late afternoon and evening hours. A few fish are being reported during the day, however these fish remain fairly deep.
Crosslake
On the Whitefish Chain, the walleyes are becoming more active. The best approach has been a redtail chub worked in 40-50 feet of water off the steep drop-offs. Crappie action remains good, with most fish coming from their winter hiding spots. Large northern pike are coming in on large sucker minnows worked off of the deep weedlines. For bass, try live bait rigging in depths of 12-20 feet.
Crosby
Walleye anglers report lots of action on Pelican, Rabbit and Gull lakes, especially when using jigs tipped with redtails.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, lots of muskie anglers are venturing out, with a few fish being taken by anglers that remain persistent. The perch bite has been good along the shorelines in the bays during the day. A few walleyes were recently taken on crankbaits pulled through 6-9 feet of water. And on Anne Lake, some anglers are taking some nice-size crappies, as well as a few walleyes.
St. Cloud/Grey Eagle
Walleyes are biting on Big and Little Birch lakes, as well as on Lake Alexander, with 3/8-ounce jigs tipped with a redtail chub working best. Walleye anglers are taking limits of 12- to 14-inch fish by bobber fishing with a fathead on McCormick Lake, with some limits taken in less than an hour. Walleyes and crappies are being pulled from Clearwater Lake and the Mississippi River, with most anglers having success using fatheads, shiners and redtails. Muskies are hitting live and artificial baits on Buckhorn, Alexander and Shamineau lakes. Sunfish are active at Hunters Bay on Big Birch Lake on sunny days.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Anoka
Although the Mississippi and Rum rivers are running high and fast, the fishing has been fair to good. Anglers are catching lots of crappies below the Coon Rapids Dam. Walleyes are hitting chartreuse jigs tipped with minnows on the Mississippi.
Wayzata
Muskies have been active on many metro area lakes, including Lake Minnetonka, with large suckers working best. The walleyes are also biting on Lake Minnetonka. For the most fish, hit 24-30 feet of water using minnows. Some northern pike activity is being reported in the channels when using suckers. Crappies can be found suspended in roughly 15 feet of water, about 8 feet down, in the channel areas. The best approach has been a darker colored jig tipped with a minnow. And, there have been a few reports of walleyes being pulled from roughly 28 feet of water on Lake Medicine.
Chisago City
Walleyes are biting in the channel areas between Big and Little Green lakes and Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes. Walleye anglers will also want to check out the bar on South Lindstrom Lake, and just off the shore near the Dinner Bell. For crappies, hit the north end of North Center Lake.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, the sauger are biting at the dam, with a few walleyes also being taken. The best approach has been a brightly-colored hair jig tipped with a minnow worked in 12-15 feet of water. Anglers report that 3/8-ounce jigs have been best. Panfish remain active around the dock area at Baypoint Park. Some catfish are also being taken near the dam.
St. Peter
A few walleyes are being pulled from the Minnesota River. Panfish are biting on Lake Washington in 10-12 feet of water.
Waterville
Sakatah Lake is starting to produce walleyes near the narrows, and near the Highway 13 bridge. Panfish are being taken from most areas of Lake Tetonka, as well as most depths. Local anglers expect water levels to be good for ice fishing this winter. Clear Lake is giving up a few walleyes measuring 20- to 24-inches. For the most fish, try crappie minnows, fatheads, and waxworms.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
