Explore Minnesota Fishing Report for November 15
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Red Wing, where the Mississippi River is giving up limits of walleyes near the dam. Lake Pepin is also producing quite a few walleyes and sauger.
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, while fishing from shore has been fair, trolling has been best for catching coho and loopers, as well as some lake trout. Please note, that at this time, all lake trout must be released immediately. The walleyes are biting in the bay just off the bottom in 20-25 feet of water. The best approach has been to slowly drift a large sucker and spinner rig, and when you feel a bite, let the fish take it for a while before setting the hook. All of the recent reports have come from the lower bay. The current water temperature is roughly 47-degrees. And, crappie action is picking up on Fish, Boulder and Island lakes, with quite a few fish coming from the deep holes.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, a few anglers continue to venture out, however they report that the fall bite has slowed. Crappie action remains slow, but is expected to improve in the near future.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes are biting in 18-24 feet of water around Sand Bay, Black Bay, and the American Narrows. On the Rainy River, walleyes are coming from the mouth of the Littlefork River, below the dam at International Falls, and at the Ranier Rapids.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
The Clementson, Birchdale and Frontier areas of the Rainy River continue to produce nice limits of walleyes. On Lake of the Woods, Morris Point and the Lighthouse Gap have been the hot spots. For the most fish, use a pink, gold or green jig when anchored.
Blackduck
Some area lakes are developing a skim of ice overnight when the wind subsides. It won’t take many more cold days and calm nights for the lakes to remain frozen.
Bemidji
A few anglers continue to venture out in search of trophy-size muskies.
Hackensack
The ice fishing season is right around the corner. The small ponds are starting to ice-over, and the bays and smaller area lakes will be next.
Crosslake
Fishing on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes continues to be productive. Anglers are now using ice fishing spoons, tipped with the head of a fathead minnow, and jigging on the breaklines in 12-25 feet of water. For the largest walleyes, try trolling crankbaits at night. Crappie action remains good, with fish being pulled from their winter haunts. Large northern pike are being taken on large sucker minnows worked off the deep weedlines. For bass, try live bait rigging in depths of 12-20 feet.
Isle/Onamia
Anglers continue to pull fish from Anne Lake. On Lake Mille Lacs, some nice-size walleyes are being taken at night on trolled rapalas. There have also been reports of crappies biting in Izaty's Bay.
Grey Eagle
A few walleyes are coming out of Big Birch Lake on shiners and redtails. And, anglers are catching large muskies on Shamineau and Alexander lakes.
St. Cloud
Walleye fishing on the Mississippi River has been very good according to local anglers. Green Lake would also be worth checking out.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Anoka
The month of November has been exceptional for smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike fishing on area lakes and rivers. During a recent fishing trip on the Mississippi River, one group caught more than 15 bass measuring 19-inches or larger, with one fish measuring 21-inches long! All bass were taken on artificials.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, a few anglers continue to venture out in search of muskies.
Chisago City
Anglers continue to take walleyes from the channel by trolling the shoreline. Fishing is expected to remain good until the lakes freeze over.
Forest Lake
The St. Croix River is producing walleyes and crappies north of the St. Croix dam. South Lindstrom and Chisago lakes have been good for crappies. Clear Lake is giving up walleyes to anglers bobber fishing at night.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, anglers are taking limits of walleyes near the dam, with lots of nice 2- to 3-pound fish coming in. Quite a few 18- to 22-inch saugers are also being reported. The saugers are running even shallower, and can be found in 10-15 feet of water--most of the walleyes are hanging in depths of roughly 18-feet. A few crappies are also being taken by walleye and sauger anglers. The best approach has been a brightly-colored hair jig tipped with a minnow. On Lake Pepin, walleye and sauger anglers are having the most success pulling plugs.
St. Peter
The walleyes continue to bite, with fish being pulled from the Minnesota River and Madison Lake. Anglers are also taking a few fish from Lake Washington.
Waterville
A good jumbo perch bite is being reported on Lake Tetonka.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
