Explore Minnesota Fishing Report for November 21
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the Forest Lake/Taylors Falls vicinity, where the St. Croix River is giving up lots of walleyes, sauger and smallmouth bass just above the Taylors Falls dam.
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
Anglers that continue to venture are out are having success. On Fish Lake, walleyes are being pulled from 8-12 feet of water. A few crappies are also coming from the deep holes, roughly 15 feet down in 20-25 feet of water. On Island Lake, depths of 17-22 feet are giving up fish. The best approach has been a jig and minnow for both species. On Lake Superior, a few loopers are being taken in front of the rivers by shore anglers. The best fishing is being reported by anglers trolling for coho roughly two miles out from Gooseberry Falls, Knife River and the harbor. For some large walleyes, drag large minnows on the bottom very slowly in the bay. Some ice is expected to form this weekend.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, the best bet is a jig and minnow worked either in the deep water or at the Ash River/Kabetogama entrance. Ice is appearing behind the break walls in the mornings, but it typically melts by midday.
Ely
The few anglers that are braving the cooler temperatures are bringing in limits of walleyes. For the most fish, hit Shagawa, White Iron and Fall lakes, with some of the smaller lakes such as Little Long and One Pine also giving up some nice fish.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, anglers are taking walleyes from 18-24 feet of water around Sand Bay, at the American Narrows and at Black Bay. Rainy River walleyes are being caught at the mouth of the Littlefork River, just below the dam at International Falls, and at Ranier Rapids.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
Some great fishing is being reported on the Rainy River, with limits of eating-size walleyes being taken. The temperatures are supposed to dip into the 20's this week, with overnight temperatures dropping into the single digits. A skim of ice is already forming on the creeks and in the bays.
Blackduck
A few small lakes are developing a skim of ice, and another week of cold temperatures and low winds should result in good ice formation.
Bemidji
A few anglers continue to venture out in search of muskies, with some fish being taken. The smaller area lakes are skimming over with ice, and local anglers hope to be able to access the ice by next weekend! As always, ice is never completely safe, and anglers are asked to use extreme caution when venturing out onto the ice.
Bena
A few anglers continue to fish the Mississippi River just below the Winnie Dam, with walleyes being taken on jigs tipped with minnows. Lake Winnibigoshish remains free of ice.
Hackensack
The small ponds are icing over, and the bays and smaller lakes will soon be covered in ice.
Battle Lake
Anglers continue to take a few muskies from Battle Lake on trolled plugs. The accesses are getting tough to navigate. Ice is expected to form this weekend.
Crosslake
Fishing on the Whitefish Chain continues to be very productive, however the walleyes have moved back into waters as deep as 40-plus feet. For the largest walleyes, try trolling crankbaits at night. Large northern pike are coming in on large sucker minnows worked off the deep weedlines. The crappies are scattered, and the bite has slowed somewhat.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, some anglers continue to troll out on Rocky Reef. A few perch are being pulled from the waters near Isle.
Grey Eagle
Walleyes remain active on Big Birch Lake, with some fish also being pulled from Cedar Lake during evening hours. For the most fish, use fatheads, shiners or redtails.
St. Cloud
Anglers continue to venture out in search of muskies on Lakes Alexander and Sugar, with some nice fish being reported. Walleyes continue to be pulled from the Mississippi River on fathead minnows.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Forest Lake
The St. Croix River is giving up lots of smallmouth bass, walleyes and sauger above the Taylor’s Falls Dam. Clear Lake is also giving up fish to anglers bobber fishing after dark.
Chisago City
On Chisago Lake, anglers are taking fish from shore just out from the Dinner Bell.
Oakdale
Sauger are active in the narrows of the St. Croix River.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, fishing has been very good at the dam, with limits of walleyes and sauger being taken. The walleyes are averaging 2- to 4-pounds, however a few large fish are being reported. Some large catfish are being caught by accident, and seem to respond best to brightly-colored hair jigs tipped with a fathead. For panfish, hit the Baypoint Park area by the docks.
St. Peter
The walleye bite on the Minnesota River is picking up as water temperatures drop. On Lake Madison, a few walleyes are being taken during evening hours.
Waterville
The perch are hitting minnows in 8-12 feet of water on Lake Tetonka. A few walleyes are being taken from shore on Lake Elysian.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
