Pine Needle Lawn

The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of NISSWA, where area lakes are producing good numbers of walleye!

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH
On Lake Superior, salmon are staging at the river mouths in roughly 60-80 feet of water during lowlight hours, especially in front of the Lester and French rivers.

KABETOGAMA
On Lake Kabetogama, walleye remain scattered, with fish being taken from 8-28 feet of water on a slip bobber and minnow, or jig and minnow combination. Slip sinker rigs tipped with minnows and crawlers may also work well this weekend. On Lake Namakan, fishing is slightly more predictable, with the walleye schooling in 24-30 feet of water. Crappies can be found using a plain red hook or light round jig head. Northern pike remain active, with artificial lures worked along the shorelines in 8-12 foot depths producing good numbers of fish. Live bait, such as small sucker minnows under a bobber are also working well. And lake turnover is expected next week.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleye and northern pike are bulking up for the winter, with both species taken from the reef structure in 28-50 feet of water. The best approach has been a shiner or rainbow chub on a 1/4- to 3/8-ounce jig or lindy rig. Gold and yellow seem to be producing the best results at this time. The reefs on the main lake have also been productive, with most baits and lures trolled quietly working well. A few smallmouth are being pulled from the tops of the reefs in waters less than 20 feet deep. Crappies have been active near the mouth of the Rat Root River.

GRAND RAPIDS
Recent rains have helped to raise area rivers and lakes to more normal levels. So much water is flowing down the Mississippi River it has been difficult to get out and fish, however some of the backwater bays are producing good numbers of bass and crappies. Lake Pokegama is giving up walleye and northern pike during the day on golden shiners. For the most fish, hit the weedlines. Rice, Spider, Balsam and Wabana lakes have all been good for numbers of bass and northern pike. And a few crappies are coming out of Splithand and Portage lakes.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, the Northwest Angle and Island area has been great for muskie fishing. Crappie anglers are taking numbers of 14-inch fish from the South Shore at Four Mile Bay and The Lighthouse Gap in both 5 foot depths, as well 17-22 feet of water. Red and gold jigs have been the most productive. Good numbers of fish are also coming in on crankbaits, and jig and minnow combinations worked straight out from The Gap in 30 feet of water. One angler recently caught a 31 & 1/2 inch walleye weighing 12 pounds! Another angler landed a 9.8-pound walleye which was pulled from 30 feet of water on a spinner and 1 & 1/2-ounce jig. Many anglers are looking forward to the October walleye run on the Rainy River. Anglers are currently using 1/2- to 3/4-ounce jigs for bait fishing, as well as a slip sinker on a line with a spinner. Other anglers are using a lindy rig set-up. And sturgeon have been biting regularly.

BLACKDUCK
Blackduck Lake, as well as some smaller area lakes, continues to produce numbers of walleye. Smaller area lakes have also been good for numbers of panfish.

BOWSTRING
On Bowsting Lake, a few walleye are being taken from the deeper waters on chub minnows. Northern pike remain active and can be found along the shorelines. Crappies are beginning to bite in the deeper waters.

BEMIDJI
On Cass Lake, walleye are hitting ruby red max gap jigheads with a double-hooked rainbow minnow worked in 14-22 feet of water on windy days. Redtails on a lindy rig are also working well. Some of the better locations include North Cedar Bar, Dead Man’s Bar, Buck Bar and Turtle Bar, especially during lowlight hours.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleye are being pulled from 7-9 feet of water due to high water levels. For the first time in years, the creeks along the North Shore are dumping into the lake, which is both good and bad. The water is very dirty, but there is also a lot of food to attract schools of hungry walleye. For the most fish, try a fireball jig tipped with a chub or shiner, and switch to crawlers if necessary. Roach rigs, with 4- to 6-foot leaders and a red bead or red VMC hook is all you will need. Crappies remain active, with good numbers being taken on small jigs tipped with minnows or two waxworms worked in 22-30 feet of water on Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux Lakes. Muskie and northern pike can be found at the cabbage weeds near deeper waters at Tamarac Bay, the High Banks, Bowen’s Flats, and Big Cutfoot. Jerkbaits, suicks, and B-flat shiners are all good choices.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, muskie remain very active, with many 40-plus inch fish recently caught and released. Perch and walleye action is expected to improve in the near future.

PARK RAPIDS
Northern pike are active on the Crow Wing Chain. For crappies, hit both the shallow and deeper waters on Island Lake.

DETROIT LAKES
Shallow area lakes seem to be best for walleye action. For the most fish, try a spinner and crawler, or jig and minnow combination. A few muskie in the 50- to 55-inch range were recently caught and released on bucktail spinners. Bass remain extremely active on most area lakes, with fish hitting jigs and tubes, as well as plastic worms fished along the deep weedlines. Large panfish can be found using small lindy little nipper jigs and leeches at the mid-humps of area lakes.

PELICAN RAPIDS
Walleye action has been best on Lida and Lizzie lakes, with nightcrawlers taking fish from 18-20 feet of water. Fall muskie fishing is best on Pelican and Beers lakes using spinnerbaits. Bass are coming in with the muskie.

BATTLE LAKE
Walleye action is picking up on Clitheral, Eagle, Ottertail and Battle lakes, with minnows worked in 9-30 feet of water taking numbers of fish. At night, move into shallower waters using a minnow under a bobber, even off the docks. For northern pike, try trolling with spinners and large sucker minnows at the 10-foot weeds on the same lakes producing walleye. Jig and minnow combinations are also working well. Anglers are catching a few sunfish on Star, Clitheral and Stuart lakes. For numbers of bass, try buzzbaits and jig-n-pigs.

ALEXANDRIA
The walleye bite is picking up on Lakes Le Homme Dieu and Darling in 16-22 feet of water. The best approach has been a jig or lindy rig tipped with a redtail or crawler. On Lakes Ida and Miltona, fish can be found in 35-40 foot depths using jigs tipped with a redtail or minnow. Bass are active on the smaller area lakes at the 14-15 foot weedlines, with some taken from the shallows on spinnerbaits and jigworms. For a few muskie, hit Lakes Miltona, Oscar and Lobster. Anglers are catching a few crappies in 8-9 feet on flu flus and crappie minnows.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye fishing remains best right at dusk. The large number of frogs have moved the walleye up into the shallows. For the most fish, try pulling shallow-running crankbaits in 4-5 feet of water. Sunfish and perch can both be found during the day.

BRAINERD
Walleye continue to slide deeper as temperatures fall. For the best walleye action, hit the Whitefish Chain using a jig and rainbow chub, or a lindy rig tipped with a redtail. Key locations have been 40-45 foot depths at the sharpest breaks. The night bite has been strong on other area lakes, with long lining floating rapalas in 6-12 feet of water working best. Crappie action remains strong, with fish found suspended over open water, adjacent to a major point on the lake.

NISSWA
Numbers of walleye are being pulled from Gull, Whitefish and Pelican lakes. On Gull Lake, fish can be found in depths ranging from 12-40 feet. The best action on Whitefish and Pelican lakes has been in 30-34 foot depths. Redtails and creek chubs on a lindy rig, as well as rainbows on a jig are working well. And consider pulling rapalas at night.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, the famed September full moon provided good results. The key to catching fish now will be mobility. The best locations have been Agate, Three-mile, Shaw’s, Anderson’s, Rocky, Indian Point and Myr Mar reefs. For the most fish, try black-, blue- or clown-colored crankbaits. Last week slip bobbers and leeches were the best approach. Divide your time accordingly. All reef markers remain in the water, and this would be a great time to get these spots identified in your GPS for future fall fishing. Expect the markers to be removed in the next week or so, as weather permits.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD
Large panfish are hitting waxworms on Becker Lake in 10 feet of water. Becker is also producing a few crappies. Bass measuring 18-plus inches are being taken on spinnerbaits worked over the weeds in 10 foot depths on Grand and Pearl lakes. Walleye are being pulled from Rice and Koronis lakes on nightcrawlers, as well as jigs tipped with minnows worked in 15 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 12 feet of water.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata and Brown’s bays are giving up walleye on spinners and minnows. Bass are being pulled from the weedlines on jig-n-pigs and large spinnerbaits. For crappies, hit 14 foot depths using a spinner and minnow at the outside weed edges.

CHISAGO CITY
Chisago Lake has been excellent for northern pike and bass action. For crappies, hit 8-12 foot depths on South Center Lake. Walleye are active on Green Lake, and between the channels of Big and Little Green lakes.

STILLWATER
On the St. Croix River, walleye and sauger fishing is improving, with keeper-size fish, and a few large walleye and sauger coming in from 18-28 foot depths. Anglers are taking fish by trolling spinners and crankbaits, as well as drifting live bait rigs. And some flathead anglers are reporting success, with one angler taking a catfish weighing nearly 60 pounds!

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

MANKATO
Crystal Lake is producing walleye near the access in depths up to 6 feet. Sunnies and crappies are active at the Second Point on Washington Lake. The holes of the Watonwan River are also giving up a few walleye and some nice northern pike.

WILLMAR
Sunnies and crappies are biting on Nest, Norway, Games and Florida lakes. Walleye action has been best on Green Lake, with fish hitting crankbaits worked in 20-30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are also being pulled from Green Lake. Lakes expected to soon produce good numbers of fish include Eagle, Diamond and Solomon. Hit the shallow weedlines for the most action.

MONTEVIDEO
Fishing has improved due to higher water levels on the Minnesota River. For walleye, work the current breaks. Lake Lac qui Parle can also be counted on for a few keepers.

ORTONVILLE
On Big Stone Lake, perch fishing has been good, especially at the Bayview and Rocky Ledge in 12-13 feet of water. For the most fish, try crappie minnows and jigs. Casting jigs or crankbaits along the shoreline is producing a few walleye during evening hours.

The Fishing Hot Spots this week are the cities of PARK RAPIDS and PELICAN RAPIDS, where area lakes are producing good numbers of muskie, walleye, northern pike, crappies and bass!

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH
Salmon run running in the rivers since the recent rains. Lake trout are moving to the shoreline areas on Lake Superior, as well as the French and Lester river mouths. If trolling, fish in 100 feet of water, 80-100 feet down using dodgers and flies, or spoons. Walleye action is good on the St. Louis River at Spirit Lake in 4-8 foot depths at the channel edge.

TOWER
On Lake Vermilion, walleye are active in 25-50 feet of water, and hitting jig and minnow combinations, trolled crankbaits, and lindy rigs with minnows. A few muskie, in the 40- and 50-inch range, are being taken from the rock piles and rocky reefs.

KABETOGAMA
On Lake Kabetogama, walleye activity has been inconsistent. On warmer days, fish can be found in waters as shallow as 8 feet. On cooler days, walleye have been more sluggish and holding in waters as deep as 40 feet. For the most fish, try a lindy rig or artificial lure. On Lake Namakan, fishing has been consistent, with a mid-depth bite at 33-38 feet. Jig and minnow combinations have been the best bet. Northern pike anglers are having the most success, with fish found just outside the weedlines in the bays using live bait, spinnerbaits, and husky jerks.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleye are active at the reef structure found in depths of 8-30 feet. Some anglers are having luck working the tops of reefs found in 23-33 foot depths. At either location, use leech and lindy rig combinations, or jigs tipped with minnows. Large northern pike are in the deeper waters and hitting speed trolled super shads. Crappies are holding in 4-8 feet of water in Black Bay, as well as at the crappie beds, and near the mouth of the Rat Root River. For the most fish, try jigs tipped with crappie minnows, or spinners with gold spoons and chubs.

GRAND RAPIDS
Fluctuating temperatures, along with 6 inches of rain, has led to inconsistent walleye activity. Fish were moving into the shallow waters, but are now in the deeper waters. On Lake Pokegama, walleye are currently being taken from the deep weed beds on minnows. Some anglers are having success using a crawler on a harness or rig. Northern pike remain active, with fish hitting large suckers under a bobber, as well as large red and white spoons cast up to the weed edges. Crappies can be found in the 20- to 30-foot holes when vertical jigging using a small fathead minnow.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
The Rainy River area has been steady for walleye action, especially upriver from the access, with numbers of smaller walleye and sauger and some nice 17- to 19-inch fish being taken. A large sturgeon was also recently caught and released. On Lake of the Woods, muskie fishing has been excellent at the Northwest Angle and Islands, with a 43-inch catch-and-release fish reported in the last few days. Along the South Shore, numbers of walleye are starting to move towards the Rainy River, with some guided charters reporting up to 100 walleye a day! Fish are averaging 13- to 16-inches. The best approach has been a hammered gold spinner tipped with a minnow. Four Mile, The Gap, and the Morris Point areas nearest the shoreline seem to be the best locations at present.

BOWSTRING
On Bowstring Lake, walleye are active in 15-20 feet of water and hitting minnows. Northern pike remain active along the weedlines. Crappies can be found in the deeper waters on the north shore of Bowstring Lake.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the walleye bite has been as sporadic as the weather and water levels. Local anglers and guides expect a good shallow bite in the near future. Big Cutfoot Sioux is giving up some nice 15- to 16-inch fish. Crappie action remains strong, with fish found in 25-31 feet of water using a 1/16-ounce watermelon fireball jig and a small minnow. Try to stay as vertical as possible and watch your electronics for schools of fish.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, muskies are hitting bucktails near Pelican Island. A few walleye are being taken from Trader’s Bay on a jig and minnow combination during evening hours.

PARK RAPIDS
Walleye action has been best on Potato Lake using a fathead, or a jig and minnow combination, in 16-18 feet during lowlight hours. Northern pike remain active on Big Mantrap Lake in 12 feet of water, with live bait rigs and crankbaits producing fish. Crappies are hitting jig and minnow combinations on the Crow Wing Chain in 16 feet of water. Fishhook Lake has been good for sunnies and bluegills, with an ice fly and waxworm taking numbers of fish from 14 feet of water.

DETROIT LAKES
Walleye are hitting jigs tipped with minnows at the edges of the deep weeds and sharp breaks, especially on Detroit, Big Cormorant, Toad, White Earth, Tullibee, Elbow, Crystal and Franklin lakes. Bass fishing remains excellent using lindy max gap jigs tipped with thumpin’ grubs. Work these jigs down tapering points and breaks into deeper waters and hold on! Crappies remain active at the deep cabbage patches.

PELICAN RAPIDS
Muskie fishing has been excellent on Pelican and Beers lakes, with reports of four 40- to 45-inch fish recently taken. Bass action has been good using spinnerbaits. Walleye can be found on Lida and Lizzie lakes using nightcrawlers in 18-20 feet of water.

BATTLE LAKE
For walleye, try leeches or crawlers on Battle Lake in 22-25 feet of water. On Ottertail Lake, a few walleye are being pulled from 8-12 and 20-24 feet of water on minnows. Northern pike are active on Ottertail Lake at the 10-15 foot weedlines. Large bass are hitting plastics on Anna, Clitheral and Stewart lakes. Crappie action has been best on West and East Battle lakes. For sunfish, hit Star, Dead and Lost lakes.

ALEXANDRIA
Walleye action is picking up on the Chain of Lakes and Miltona Lake in 18-25 feet of water. The best approach has been a jig tipped with a minnow or crawler. Bass are active in 12-16 foot depths on the Chain of Lakes, and hitting Carolina rigs, jigworms, and spinnerbaits. Sunfish are being pulled from the bays, with Lake Darling giving up numbers of fish.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye are hitting jig and minnow combinations during the day, however the best action has been during evening hours using shallow-running crankbaits in 5-6 feet of water. For the most fish, work the points and gravel bars. Perch can be found using fathead minnows on small jigs in the same areas as the daytime walleye.

BRAINERD
Walleye action remains strong on many area lakes. Most of the daytime catches are coming from 30-40 feet of water on a jig or lindy rig tipped with a 3- to 5-inch minnow. Key locations include the base of steep breaks that are adjacent to large shallow flats. After dark, try trolling a #13 or #18 blue-silver or black-gold floating rapala on top of the shallow flats. Long lining in 6-12 feet of water may produce a trophy-size fish. Northern pike action remains good. Crappies are also active and can be found suspended off the major points over open water areas.

NISSWA
Gull, Whitefish and Pelican Lakes are giving up good numbers of walleye, with fish up to 25 inches in length taken from the Whitefish Chain. Pelican has been good for a few walleye in the 17- to 18-inch class. Creek chubs and redtails seem to be working best. On Gull, fish are scattered in 13-38 foot depths. Walleye and northern pike are both being pulled from 25-36 feet of water on Whitefish and Pelican lakes. On windy days, hit structure with a southern exposure using Lindy rigs and chubs worked slowly along the drop-offs. Crappies and sunnies are hitting small jigs and minnows in 14-18 feet of water.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, some nice walleye are being pulled from the shallow rocks on leeches and slip bobbers worked over 3-10 foot depths. A few anglers are having success with the larger perch using small leeches and an I-bob jig in 4-5 feet of water at the weeds. And, this is the weekend many anglers have been anticipating due to the September full moon! Much has been written about the affect of moon phases and walleye fishing, and now is the time to check it out! Try trolling, bobber-fishing or casting at Agate, 3-mile, Shaw’s, Anderson’s, Rocky, Indian Point and Myr Mar reefs. The key is to stay mobile until you locate fish. Slip bobbers, jigs and leeches account for over two-thirds of the walleye coming in, with the best jig colors being black, blue and clown. Reef markers are still in the water and this is a great time to get these spots identified in your GPS for future fall fishing.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST CLOUD
Panfish are active on most area lakes, and especially on Becker, Long and the Horseshoe Chain in 4-6 feet of water off the weeds. For the larger panfish, use waxworms. Northern pike action has been good using sucker minnows in the Sauk River just off the weeds in 14 feet of water. Good walleye action is being reported on Lake Koronis just off Third Island, with Rice also producing fish in 15-18 feet of water. For the most fish, try crawlers on a lindy rig. Crappies can be found suspended in front of Fischer’s Resort on Rice Lake using a crappie minnow and flu flu in 12-14 feet of water. Lake Koronis is producing numbers of smallmouth bass, with 19- to 22-inch fish taken on large fathead minnows worked in 22 feet of water.

ANNANDALE
Bass are active on Sylvia Lake, with a 7-pound, 11-ounce largemouth bass recently taken from French Lake. Pike are being pulled from depths of 12-15 feet on Clearwater and John lakes using spinnerbaits and sucker minnows, or crankbaits. For walleye, hit Sugar, Cedar, Clearwater and French lakes using fatheads, leeches and crawlers in 8-30 feet of water.

WACONIA
Muskie remain very active on Lake Waconia. Northern pike and largemouth bass action has also been good.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, anglers are taking fish on chubs worked at the weedlines, as well as in depths up to 22 feet. For northern pike, try trolling spinnerbaits and small sucker minnows. Sunnies are active along the shoreline, and bass remain in the deep milfoil. Hit the smaller area lakes, including Independence and Sarah, for some fast action.

CHISAGO CITY
Chisago Lake has been best for numbers of bass. Hit the 2-12 foot weedlines and docks for the most fish. Crappies can be found suspended at 10 feet in 20-26 feet of water. Try vertical jigging using a flu flu jig tipped with a waxworm, leech, or crappie minnow for some good action. Walleye are active in the channel between Big and Little Green lakes.

STILLWATER
On the St. Croix River, walleye and sauger fishing from Stillwater to Hastings has improved. Sauger make up over half of the catches, but 16-inch sauger have been common. Walleye remain on the smaller side. The best approach has been a larger live bait rig and spinner tipped with a minnow worked in 22-30 feet of water. Trolled crankbaits are also catching fish. White bass are turning up more often, and smallmouth bass action has also improved. For the most fish, try a topwater lure during morning hours. Bronze backs are hitting plastic tubes, tails, and worms, as well as crawlers and fatheads worked in depths of 12-22 feet.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

MANKATO
On Lake Washington, plastic worms are taking good numbers of bass. Sunnies and crappies are active in 6-10 feet of water, and hitting waxworms at the Second Point on Lake Washington. Flathead catfish action has been excellent on the Minnesota River, with medium chubs and suckers working best. Walleye are hitting crankbaits worked in 10 feet of water around the narrows of Madison Lake.

WILLMAR
Panfish are active on Florida, Andrew, Nest and Willmar lakes. A few walleye are being pulled from Green Lake. For a few smallmouth bass, hit Green Lake using live bait and crankbaits.

ORTONVILLE
Perch are being pulled from Big Stone Lake near the Rocky Ledge and Cramer’s Resort in 12-14 feet of water. Crappie minnows seem to be working best. For walleye, hit these areas while casting towards shore using a jig and minnow combination.