The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of ALEXANDRIA, where area lakes are producing good numbers of walleye!
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
DULUTH
On Lake Superior, looper action has been good along the North Shore. Salmon are staging at mouths of the rivers. The walleye bite remains strong in the rivers, and especially in the St. Louis River.
KABETOGAMA
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, walleye are schooling in 28-35 feet of water. The reef and current fed bays and channels seem to hold the most fish. On the east end of Lake Kabetogama, hit the entrance to Ash River, Blind Ash Bay and Lost Bay. Namakan Island, Tar Point, even Old Dutch Bay seem to also be productive. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow combination. Northern pike are hitting small sucker minnows, as well as minnow type lures trolled through 12-15 foot depths. Half-pound crappies are coming in on plain red hooks or jigheads tipped with minnows. As water temperatures drop, walleye and northern pike should move into 32-38 foot depths. Perch action is also expected to increase in these depths.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, the navigational markers will be removed from Rainy Lake roughly October 14-17. Walleye and northern pike are currently being taken near the reef structure in 28-50 feet of water. Shiners and rainbow minnows on a gold or yellow, 1/4- to 3/8-ounce jig or lindy rig, has been the best approach. The reefs on the main lake have been the most productive. Try trolling with a quiet motor when it’s calm, and anchor if it’s breezy. A few smallmouth bass are being picked up on top of the reefs, in waters no deeper than 20 feet. Crappies are active near the mouth of the Rat Root River. The Rainy River has been productive for walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass, especially near the International Dam. For walleye, also try the Falls Golf Course area on the Rainy River.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
BAUDETTE
The annual fall walleye migration on the Rainy River has been excellent near all of the access sites. On Lake of the Woods, along the South Shore, another productive location has been the Green buoy in the middle of Four Mile Bay at the edge of the channel. For trophy-size muskie, hit the Northwest Angle and Islands area. And last weekend, Lake of the Woods hosted the Grand National Walleye Cup National Championship. Some anglers used traditional jig fishing techniques, however others pulled crankbaits in the swift river currents. Most of the winners used jigs tipped with dead minnows, with Fireline to cut the water. The best approach was to let the jig hit the river bottom, and then snap the minnow to attract attention.
WASKISH
Anglers are catching large northern pike in the Tamarack River area of Upper Red Lake.
BLACKDUCK
Blackduck Lake continues to give up numbers of walleye on live bait rigs tipped with minnows. Some good panfish reports have been coming from Gilstead and Rabideau lakes at the weedlines.
BEMIDJI
On Cass Lake, numbers of 14- to 24-inch walleye are being taken from 24-35 feet of water, and some showing up in 40-50 foot depths. The best approach has been a 3/8-ounce max gap jig tipped with a shiner minnow. Lindy rigs tipped with redtails or crawlers are also taking fish. Some of the better locations at Allen’s Bay include North Cedar Bar, Buck Bar and Turtle River Bar, especially early in the morning until late afternoon.
BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, fishing has been inconsistent. The best approach has been a jig and minnow combination worked in 7-9 feet along the North Shore from the Gap to Stoney Point. On Cutfoot Sioux Lake, anglers report a fairly consistent bitein 10-18 feet of water, with fish hitting glow green fireball jigs tipped with a shiner or rainbow chub. Crappies are active in 22-30 foot depths on Big Cutfoot Sioux. For the most fish, try a small minnow and 1/16-ounce jig. Slip bobber rigs and vertical jigging are both producing fish up to 2 pounds, with crappies averaging 3/4-pounds. Perch are being pulled from the rocks found in 28-34 feet of water on Lake Winnibigoshish.
WALKER
On Leech Lake, the walleye bite has been best at night. Anglers are having the most success using a jig and minnow combination in 10-15 feet of water. A few muskie are also being taken. Perch are biting in 6-10 feet of water at Sand Point in Walker Bay. Also try the northeast corner of Portage Bay, or the Federal Dam area in 8-14 feet of water at the standing cabbage. Other locations producing perch are 10-14 foot depths at Duck Point in Sucker Bay, and in 8-12 feet of water at the Clam Beds in Boy Bay. A jig tipped with a fathead or rainbow chub seems to be working best, especially from mid-morning until late evening hours.
HACKENSACK
Good walleye reports are coming from Woman and Pleasant lakes. For the most fish, try trolling crankbaits at night.
PARK RAPIDS
For walleye, Fish Hook Lake has been best. The Crow Wing Chain remains good for panfish.
DETROIT LAKES
Area lakes are producing walleye on lindy max gap jigs and minnows worked in 18-32 feet of water. Hit the steep breaks and remaining deep weedlines for the most fish. Some of the better locations include Pelican, Big Cormorant, Island, Detroit, White Earth, Round and Elbow lakes. The largemouth bass bite has been excellent using jigs and tubes in the deeper waters. Muskie action has also been good, with spinnerbaits worked in deeper waters taking the most fish.
PELICAN RAPIDS
Numbers of walleye are being pulled from Lida, Lizzie and Pelican lakes. On sunny days, hit 25 foot depths. Move into the shallows at night using minnows. Muskie are coming out of Pelican and Beers lakes.
BATTLE LAKE
Walleye are hitting fatheads, shiners and suckers in the shallows at night and during early evening hours. During the day, try leeches or crawlers in the deeper waters off the flats. The better locations include West Battle, Ottertail, Clitheral and Eagle lakes. Northern pike anglers are having success trolling sucker minnows at the weeds in 11-15 feet of water on most area lakes. For bass, use sucker minnows or spinnerbaits in the shallows or in the weeds. Bass are being pulled from Eagle, West Battle, Clitheral and South Turtle lakes. Crappies can be found using crappie minnows in the shallows on South Turtle and West Battle.
ALEXANDRIA
Walleye are active on Lake Miltona in 6-80 feet of water using jigs and minnows. On Lakes Darling and Le Homme Dieu, walleye are hitting jigs and minnows in 16-30 foot depths. Lake Reno is producing walleye in 10-15 feet. Bass and northern pike can be found in the shallows of Darling, Carlos, Le Homme Dieu and Geneva lakes. Crappies are biting on Lake Le Homme Dieu in 12-15 foot depths at the cabbage weeds. Expect area lakes to turn over in the near future.
STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye are hitting jig and minnow combinations during the day, and shallow-running crankbaits at dusk. A few walleye are also being taken from Lake Emily. Perch are active during the day, and being taken along with the walleye. And, numbers of nice-size sunnies are being reported.
BRAINERD
The majority of walleye are being taken from the deeper waters. North Long Lake continues to be best for numbers of nice-size fish. Key locations include the sharp breaks located next to deeper waters. During the day, try lindy rigging and jigging in 25-35 feet of water. After dark, hit the shallows, with several nice fish recently taken by anglers trolling in 6-8 feet of water.
CROSSLAKE
Upper Whitefish, Gull and Pelican lakes are producing walleye in 20-40 feet of water. Try live bait rigs with a long snell tipped with redtails or river chubs during lowlight hours. Northern pike action remains good along the weedlines, with spinnerbaits and spinner rigs tipped with pike minnows working best. Bass are also active at the weedlines. The best approach has been a spinnerbait, or jig and plastic worm. Crappies can be found suspended in 12-14 feet of water throughout the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. For the most fish, try minnows or worms on small jigs at the submerged structure.
ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, the reef markers have been removed, so anglers are asked to navigate with caution. The shallow rock reefs found in 12 feet of water or less will provide the most consistent walleye action. Some of the better locations include Anderson’s, Shaw’s and Lakeside Reefs. Muskie action has been decent, with multiple fish taken some days.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS
ST. CLOUD
Large sunfish are hitting waxworms and angle worms in 10 feet of water. Try Schneider Lake during the day, and Becker Lake just before dark. A few crappies are being pulled from Horseshoe Lake on crappie minnows worked in 15 feet of water. Walleye are being taken from Rice and Koronis lakes on golden shiners worked at the breaks found in 7 feet of water or less. For northern pike, try a #5 mepps spinner suspended at 6 feet off the weed edges in 12 feet of water on Koronis, Rice and Horseshoe lakes. For bass, use a slow presentation while working a jig-n-pig right in the weeds.
ANNANDALE
Clearwater and Cedar lakes are producing walleye on minnows. During evening hours, try crankbaits on Sylvia Lake. Crappies are active on Cedar and Clearwater lakes in 5-20 feet of water. For northern pike, hit Pleasant Lake. Sunfish can be found on most area lakes.
WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, the east side of the island has been best for walleye. Try a jig and minnow combination for the most fish. Sunfish are being pulled from the bays, and crappies can be found suspended. The muskie bite has been best near the reefs.
WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, walleye are active in 35 feet of water, and hitting live bait rigs tipped with shiners. For crappies, hit 18-20 foot depths working a jig and minnow just below the surface. Bass are hitting 1-ounce jigs in the 10-12 foot milfoil. Also try spinnerbaits in the cabbage for a few bass. Northern pike can be found using suckers at the channels in 12-18 feet of water.
CHISAGO CITY
Panfish are active on Chisago Lake near the Eagle’s Nest and at the A-Frame. Also try Needle Point on South Center Lake, and Nelson Island on North Center Lake. A 6-pound, 4-ounce bass was also recently caught and released on North Center Lake. Bass remain active on Chisago Lake.
STILLWATER
On the St. Croix River, walleye fishing has been best using live bait jigs tipped with minnows in 20-28 feet of water. Also try trolling three-way crankbait set-ups for a few fish. Silver, blue and orange colors have been best. Saugers and white bass continue to be taken.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
WABASHA
On the Mississippi River, crappies are active in the backwaters and at the wingdams. Bluegills are hitting redworms and waxworms. Walleye action is picking up, with healthy fish in the 17- to 18-inch range being taken. White bass are becoming more active at the wingdams.
MANKATO
Madison Lake is producing sunfish and walleye. Hit the narrows and weedlines for the most fish. The Minnesota River is also giving up walleye, with chubs working best. On German Lake, try trolling crankbaits in 10-15 feet of water.
WILLMAR
Diamond, Eagle, Ringo and Green lakes are giving up walleye on minnows. The panfish bite has been best on Florida, Norway and Games lakes.
MONTEVIDEO
Lake Lac qui Parle is producing walleye. The walleye bite on the Minnesota River has been good near the bridges, and just below the dam.
ORTONVILLE
The Minnesota River, from Appleton to Ortonville, has been excellent for walleye action. Lake Traverse is also producing some nice-size walleye. On Big Stone Lake, walleye action has been best during evening hours off the points. For the most fish, try casting plugs along the shorelines. A few perch are also being taken.