Explore Minnesota Fishing Report for November 8
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Crosslake, where the Whitefish Chain of Lakes continues to give up good numbers of walleyes. Lots of crappies and large northern pike 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
On Lake Superior, anglers are catching a few steelhead and loopers just off shore near the rivers. Coho salmon are being pulled from the south shore of Lake Superior. While the season doesn't open until December 1st, a lot of lake trout are being reported. The walleye bite has been fair in the deeper waters of the St. Louis River. Fish Lake continues to produce good numbers of crappies by the Fish Lake bridge.
Ely
Anglers that continue to venture out onto Shagawa, White Iron and Burntside lakes are taking some nice stringers of walleyes.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, local anglers report great fall fishing! The best approach for lots of walleyes has been a light-colored, glow, or white and pink jig tipped with a fathead minnow wored in 35-plus feet of water. Northern pike anglers are doing best using pike suckers. Crappie action should soon heat up.
International Falls
Recent mild temperatures have kept anglers on the water, with quite a few walleyes being pulled from 15-20 feet of water. Some of the most productive areas include Ranier Rapids, Sand Bay and American Narrows. Crappie anglers are doing well in the area where the Rat Root river flows into Black Bay. Walleyes are being taken at the mouth of the Littlefork River, near Pelland Junction.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, anglers are taking good numbers of fish by anchoring and jigging at Morris Point and the Lighthouse Gap. Recently, the most productive colors have been pink, gold, and green. Anglers continue to take fish from the Rainy River. The water clarity is improving, and the current remains strong. The Clementson, Birchdale and Frontier areas are giving up nice limits of walleyes.
Bena
The few anglers that continue to venture out are taking quite a few walleyes. Big Cutfoot Sioux and the Mississippi River have been the best, however a few of the smaller area lakes in the Grand Rapids vicinity have also been good for walleyes and crappies.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleyes are being taken from the Pelican Island area on shiners. Anglers report that the largest shiners offer the best chance for a trophy-size fish. Goose Island and The Hardwoods are also giving up nice numbers of fish. Perch can now be found in the shallow bays. Muskie action remains very strong.
Battle Lake
Fishing on Ottertail Lake remains good, with anglers taking fish from depths of 5-60 feet. The best approach has been a jig tipped with a sucker minnow or fathead. Battle Lake is giving up a few walleyes after dark, with rapalas working best when trolled in 15 feet of water or less.
Crosslake
Fishing on the Whitefish Chain continues to be very productive. Walleyes have moved up into 10-25 feet of water. The larger walleyes are being taken by trolling crankbaits at night. Crappie action is good, with fish found in their winter hiding spots. Large northern pike are coming in on large sucker minnows worked off the deep weedlines. For bass, use live bait rigs in depths of 12-20 feet.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleyes can be found using a crankbait pulled through 7-14 feet of water at the rocky areas on the east side of the lake. The best bite has been from dusk until dark. A few perch are coming from the bays, and worth pursuing while waiting for the walleyes to bite. Muskie anglers are hitting the bays now that the weeds have fallen over. Some good panfishing is being reported on Ann Lake.
Grey Eagle
Anglers continue to pull walleyes from McCormick, Swan, and Big and Little Birch lakes. Fishtrap and Shamineau lakes are also worth checking out. Redtails and shiners have been best for numbers of fish.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Forest Lake
Clear Lake has been good for walleyes. The St. Croix River is giving up walleyes, sauger and crappies. The muskies are active on Bald Eagle and Forest lakes.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, some northern pike activity is being reported in the channels by anglers using suckers. The muskies are biting on various metro area lakes, as well as on Lake Minnetonka. The best bet is to use large sucker minnows. Walleyes are coming from 24-30 feet of water on trolled minnows. Crappies can be found roughly 8 feet down in 15 feet of water in the channel areas. For the most fish, use a darker-colored jig tipped with a minnow. And anglers are taking a few walleyes from depths of 28 feet on Medicine Lake.
Chisago City
On South Center Lake, anglers are catching walleyes using fatheads and shiners at the channel. Crappies are being taken right off the docks on Chisago and South Center lakes. On Green Lake, anglers are taking walleyes between Little and Big. Both walleyes and crappies are coming from the area just off the park beach on South Lindstrom Lake. Panfish are biting on North and South Center lakes.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, limits of nice 18- to 22-inch sauger are being taken near the dam on brightly-colored hair jigs. Anglers are also doing well pulling #5- or #7-shad raps. Panfish are active in the backwaters and at Baypoint Park.
St. Peter
Fish are biting on the Minnesota River. Lake Crystal is giving up fish just off shore at night. Crappies are coming from 12-15 feet of water on Lake Washington.
Waterville
On Lake Sakatah, walleyes are being pulled from the area near the narrows, as well as near the Highway 13 Bridge. Panfish are being pulled from most areas and depths on Lake Tetonka. Clear Lake is giving up a few 20- to 24-inch walleyes. Crappie minnows, fatheads, and waxworms are producing the most fish.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
