The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of BAUDETTE, where the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods are producing good numbers of walleye!

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH
On Lake Superior, fishing has been slow due to recent heavy winds, however some anglers have been taking steelheads and loopers by casting spoons from shore.

KABETOGAMA
Murky waters on Lake Kabetogama the last few days indicates that the turnover is in progress. Lake Namakan should turn this week. Walleye action should soon kick into high gear, with schools of fish showing up in depths of 35 feet or more. Northern pike have been active, and hitting 3- to 5-inch sucker minnows. Crappie action should improve in the Ash River area and throughout Lake Namakan as the lakes settle down. Try a jig and minnow combination or deep-running artificial bait for the most fish.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleye and northern pike are being pulled from the reef structure in 28-50 feet of water. Most anglers are having success using shiners or rainbow minnows on a gold jig. A few smallmouth bass are being taken from on top of the reefs. On the Rainy River, walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass are active near the International Dam.

GRAND RAPIDS
Crappies are being pulled from Cutfoot and Little Cutfoot Sioux lakes on yellow or white jigs tipped with small fathead minnows vertically jigged in 20 feet of water or more. Lake Pokegama is giving up some nice walleye during the day on jig and minnow combinations worked along the weed edges. Bass are active on most area lakes at the deeper weeds. Muskie are being pulled from Moose and Spider lakes on large minnows, bucktails and crankbaits.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
Fishing on the Rainy River has been exceptional! Anglers report that the shiners have moved into the river, with the walleye following right behind. Many fishing rigs can be seen up and down the river, especially at Birchdale, the Frontier Landing, and at Clementson. For the most fish, try green-white or pink-white glow jigs tipped with a spinner or minnow. Crankbaits are also working well. On Lake of the Woods, at the Northwest Angle and Islands area, anglers are having success near Soldier’s Point at the deep rocky points in 24 feet of water. And anglers at a recent fishing tournament report that the walleye are hitting shiners on orange-white, gold, chartreuse, green and orange jigs in front of Pine Island, with limits of eating-size fish being taken.

BLACKDUCK
Walleye can be found at the weeds in 8-12 feet of water on Blackduck Lake.

BEMIDJI
On Cass Lake, numbers of 14- to 24-inch walleye are being reported. Most fish can be found in 24-35 feet of water, but some are holding in depths of 40-50 feet. The best approach has been a 3/8-ounce max gap jig tipped with a shiner minnow. Live bait rigs tipped with redtails or crawlers are also working well. Some of the better locations at Allen’s Bay include North Cedar Bar, Buck Bar and Turtle River Bar, especially during lowlight hours.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the winds have subsided, and anglers are taking walleye on 1/8-ounce fireball jigs tipped with a minnow. The best approach has been to vary the retrieve from snap-jigging to gliding across the bottom, especially at the remaining green cabbage weeds. Anglers are also taking fish from the shallow rocks and gravel areas. Hit The Gap, between Winnie and Big Cutfoot, as well as Mallard Point, Farley Creek, Tamarac Point and Raven’s Point for some good action. Stay on the move until you locate fish. For some large perch, try jigs tipped with medium chubs in 6-8 feet of water at Stoney Point, Muskie Bay and at the Three Sisters. Crappies are biting on Cutfoot Sioux in 28-32 feet of water, and hitting slip bobber rigs and vertical jigs, with fish up to 2 pounds being taken. For perch, hit the rocks found in 28-34 feet on Lake Winnibigoshish.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, fishing pressure has been light, and only a few anglers have been out chasing the muskie. Anglers report many sightings, but few catches. The walleye are moving into the shallows. Perch action has been good in most of the bays, with fish hitting in 6-10 feet of water at Sand Point in Walker Bay. Other areas to try include 8-14 foot depths at Duck Point in Sucker Bay, at the Clam Beds in Boy Bay, next to the standing cabbage at the northeast corner of Portage Bay, and at the Federal Dam area. For the most fish, use a jig tipped with a fathead or rainbow.

HACKENSACK
Pleasant Lake is producing walleye, and bass can be found on most area lakes.

PARK RAPIDS
Some anglers continue to take northern pike from the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes. Island Lake is best for crappies.

DETROIT LAKES
Shallow area lakes have been best for walleye action. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow combination, or a spinner tipped with a crawler. Muskie are hitting bucktail spinners. Bass remain active on most area lakes, with plastic worms taking numbers of fish. For large panfish, use jigs and leeches.

BATTLE LAKE
Walleye are active on Stalker, Battle and Ottertail lakes, especially during late afternoon and evening hours. At night, anglers are working the shallows off the docks using minnows. Clitheral Lake is giving up a few walleye, however numbers of northern pike are also being taken. For the most fish, try trolling a minnow at the weeds. Sunfish are being pulled from most area lakes on small leeches, crappie minnows and waxworms.

ALEXANDRIA
Miltona and Ida lakes are producing walleye in 50-60 feet of water. On the Chain of Lakes, walleye can be found in depths of 16-22 feet. Bass and northern pike are biting in 10-12 feet of water in the weeds.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye are hitting jigs tipped with shiner minnows or fatheads worked in roughly 16-18 feet of water around the points during the day. During evening hours, try pulling shallow running crankbaits in 5-6 foot depths at the edge of the bulrushes. Shorefishing at Glenwood Beach and Starbuck Beach has also been productive. Numbers of larger sunfish can be found using nightcrawlers on a small jig in 10-12 feet of water.

BRAINERD
The fall walleye bite is in full swing and most area lakes are giving up numbers of fish. Most daytime walleye are being pulled from the deeper waters. One of the best locations for the larger walleye has been 30-40 foot depths on North Long Lake at the steep breaks. For the most fish, try a jig, or live bait rig tipped with a 3- to 4-inch minnow. Numbers of smaller walleye continue to be taken from Gull Lake during the day. For larger fish, hit Gull after dark. Whitefish and Pelican lakes are giving up walleye in 25-28 feet of water. Long-lining a floating rapala in 6-12 feet of water continues to be the most effective method for catching walleye after dark.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, trolling crankbaits late at night has been inconsistent for most anglers. Some anglers did well last week, while others struggled to pick up even a couple walleye. Bobber fishing seemed to be a bit more productive. The bite is expected to improve as the water temperature drops over the next couple weeks. The reef markers are now being removed, and anglers should stick to the shallow rock reefs. Try 12 feet of water or less at Anderson’s, Shaw’s and Lakeside reefs for the most consistent action.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD
Anglers are catching 10-inch panfish on local area lakes using waxworms and ice jigs. Walleye are holding in 15 feet of water, and hitting jig and minnow combinations, as well as Corky’s golden shiners. Northern pike have been aggressive, with fish hitting sucker minnows worked in 12-14 foot depths off the weedline breaks. A few crappies can be found suspended on Pearl and Becker lakes using flu flus and crappie minnows in 15 feet of water. A few nice-size bass are being pulled from the points in 22 feet of water on jig-n-pigs. Spinnerbaits worked over the weed beds are also working well.

ANNANDALE
Clearwater, Cedar, Sylvia, Twin and Sugar lakes are producing walleye in 18-24 feet of water since the recent cold temperatures. Anglers are catching northern pike on Clearwater, John, Sylvia and Sugar lakes. For a few muskie, hit Sugar Lake.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, muskie action has been good, with many 40- to 50-inch fish being caught and released throughout the lake. The best approach has been a large bucktail, spinnerbait or crankbait. Panfish and bass are being pulled from Reinke’s Bay.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, walleye are hitting live bait rigs tipped with minnows in 24-27 feet of water. During lowlight hours, try jigs and leeches worked tightly at the 16- to 17-foot weedlines. Northern pike are hitting spinnerbaits tipped with sucker minnows trolled at the 14- to 16-foot weed edges. Bass can be found tight to the weeds in 10-12 feet, hitting 1-ounce jig-n-pigs. Crappies are taking spinners and minnows from on top of the weed flats.

CHISAGO CITY
Crappies are active on Kroon Lake in 8-12 feet of water. For walleye, hit the north end of North Center Lake, as well as just off Nelson’s Island. On South Center Lake, try Needle Point and Lindbergh’s Point. The channel between Big and Little Green lakes has also been good. Bass are in the shallows on Chisago, North Center and South Center lakes near the docks and in the lily pads.

STILLWATER
The St. Croix River is giving up walleye on live bait jigs tipped with minnows worked in 20-28 feet of water. Also try trolling three-way crankbait set-ups for a few fish. Silver, blue and orange crankbaits, 3-6 inches in length, have been best. Saugers and white bass are being taken along with the walleye.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

MANKATO
Sunfish are hitting small jigs and waxworms on Madison Lake and around the narrows. Walleye are being caught by anglers trolling white shad raps at night, and casting crankbaits during the day. German Lake is producing walleye in 10-12 feet of water. Walleye anglers are also having success on the Blue Earth River. For the most fish, try jigs tipped with small chubs, suckers, or white twister tails. Bass are active on Jefferson Lake, and hitting brightly-colored rapala DT-10’s.

WILLMAR
Panfish are active on Nest, Florida, Norway, and Games lakes. Green Lake is producing a few walleye and smallmouth bass.

MONTEVIDEO
Walleye action has picked up on Lake Lac qui Parle. Jig and minnow combinations are working best near the Island Bridge area. Walleye are also active between Montevideo and Wegdahl, as well as south of Granite Falls on the Minnesota River. Hit the current breaks and holes using a jig and minnow for the most fish.

ORTONVILLE
Big Stone Lake is giving up good numbers of perch, especially at the Rocky Ledge and Cramer’s. The best approach has been a crappie minnow in 12-14 feet of water. Walleye fishing on the Minnesota River has been good at the dams, as well near Ortonville and Odessa. Most anglers are fishing from shore using a plug or jig. High water levels seem to be improving the bite.