The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of BENA, where LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH is producing numbers of nice-size walleye, crappies and northern pike!

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH
On Lake Superior, kamloops are biting along the North Shore. Anglers are having success casting spoons and floating spawn bags off the French River and Stoney Point. Anglers are also taking fish by trolling with spoons and stickbaits. Good crappie reports are coming from Fish Lake. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow in 15-20 feet of water.

KABETOGAMA
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, anglers are stating that the post turnover slowdown is passing, and late fall deep water reef fishing is picking up. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow at the 30-plus foot reef structure or at the strong current areas where baitfish are gathered. Northern pike can be found outside the weedy bays using sucker minnows or imitation minnows. A few crappies are coming in on light tackle and small jigs worked near the mouth of the Ash River and on into Lake Namakan.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleye and northern pike continue to bulk up for winter, and can be found near the reef structure in 28-50 foot depths. For the most fish, use a gold or yellow jig tipped with a shiner or rainbow minnow. The reefs on the main lake have been very productive. A few smallmouth bass are being picked up here and there on top of the reefs, in water no deeper than 20 feet. For crappies, hit the mouth of the Rat Root River.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
The fall walleye run on the Rainy River remains excellent. Many anglers are taking limits using bright orange and chartreuse jigs tipped with a shiner minnow. Shiners remain active in the Clementson area. On Lake of the Woods, the South Shore is producing limits of walleye from the Morris Gap area all the way to Birchdale. There is plenty of current so anglers are using 1/2- to 3/4-ounce jigs while vertical jigging. Limits of walleye are also being pulled from the mouth of the Rainy River. The Northwest Angle and Islands area has been great for muskie anglers.

BEMIDJI
On Cass Lake, numbers of eating-size walleye are being pulled from 35-50 feet of water. Larger walleye, measuring over 18 inches, can be found in depths less than 20 feet, with fish as large as 12 pounds being taken. Some of the better locations include Town Bay, Wishbone Bar, Deadman’s, North Cedar, and Turtle River Bars. Jumbo perch are becoming more active, especially on bright days at the east side of Star Island. Muskie have been very aggressive, and can be found at the same bars during lowlight hours. Crappies are active at their wintering holes. Just a few of the primary locations include Kitchie, Cutfoot Sioux, and Bowstring Lakes, as well as Allen’s Bay on Cass Lake. For the most fish, try sapphire shad, sunburst orange, and silver flash techni-glo fuzz-e-grubs tipped with a fathead or chub minnow. On Lakes Bemidji and Plantangenet, walleye are being pulled from 24-40 foot depths during the day on 3/8-ounce max gap tipped with a rainbow chub. For the most fish, hit the connected points and larger bars with a steep break, with many jumbo perch also being taken.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, numbers of nice-size walleye, crappies and large northern pike are being taken. Walleye are being pulled from the North Shore and from Tamarac Point on fireball jigs tipped with a shiner or chub. Locate an area where baitfish are present and the wind is blowing and you’ll take numbers of fish. Also check some of the smaller area lakes, such as Round, Sand, and Big Jessie.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, most walleye anglers are having success in Walker Bay and at some of the lake’s points, especially in 10-14 feet of water at night. For a few muskies, use bucktails.

PARK RAPIDS
The walleye bite has been best one hour before dark on Fish Hook Lake.

BATTLE LAKE
Walleye are active on Eagle, Stalker and West Battle lakes, with minnows taking fish from 18 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows and large golden shiners on Ottertail, Clitheral and Battle lakes. For some nice crappies, hit 18 foot depths on South Turtle, Stalker and Battle lakes.

ALEXANDRIA
Walleye action has been excellent on Lake Miltona in 60-85 feet of water. Fish are also being taken from 10-20 foot depths on Chippewa, Le Homme dieu, Darling and Geneva lakes. Fish are moving into the shallows during evening hours, and many anglers are having success shore fishing at night. For the most fish, try a redtail or fathead. Northern pike can be found in the shallows on the Chain of Lakes. For some great muskie action, hit Miltona and Lobster lakes.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska,walleye are biting on Lakes Emily, Reno and Minnewaska. Crankbaits are working best at night. Try jigs and minnows during the day.

BRAINERD
The few anglers that recently ventured out on Pelican Lake had success with the walleye. The best approach has been a 3/8-ounce chartreuse jig tipped with a rainbow chub worked in 28-35 feet water. A few fish are also being pulled from Gull Lake. ISLEOn Lake Mille Lacs, the few anglers venturing out are using crankbaits at night, and a leech and slip bobber set up during the day. Muskie and perch remain active. For numbers of perch, hit Wahkon, Isle and Cove Bays using an I-Bob jig and minnow.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD
Panfish are active on Schneider and Horseshoe lakes, with waxworms and ice jigs taking fish, especially on windy days. A few walleye are being pulled from 7 feet of water on jig and minnow combinations. Sucker minnows are producing northern pike in the river’s breaks and holes. Bass have started their fall feeding frenzy, with some 18-inch fish being reported. For the most fish, try wacky worms in the shallow weeds.

EDEN VALLEY
Lakes Koronis and Rice are producing a few walleye in the shallows during the morning hours, and in deeper waters late in the afternoon and evening. For the most fish, try a fathead on a lindy rig or jighead. Panfish remain active on most area lakes.

ANNANDALE
Hit 15-21 feet of water using fatheads in Clearwater, Pleasant and Cedar lakes for northern pike and walleye.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, evening hours have been best for walleye, especially in 14-16 feet of water. For northern pike and muskies, hit the reefs. Crappies can be found suspended off the weed edges. For sunfish, hit depths of 10-15 feet using waxworms.

STILLWATER
On the St. Croix River, walleye and sauger fishing is slowly improving. Keeper-size and larger fish are being pulled from 18-28 feet of water. Anglers are having success trolling spinners and crankbaits, as well as drifting livebait rigs with crawlers or minnows. And flathead anglers are reporting success, with one fish weighing nearly 60 pounds!

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

MANKATO
Anglers are catching a few walleye on the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers using a jig tipped with a minnow or chub. On Madison Lake, walleye are being pulled from the narrows on crankbaits and jigs tipped with minnows.

WILLMAR
Hit Willmar and Green Lakes for a few walleye and crappies.

MONTEVIDEO
The Minnesota River is producing walleye on crawlers and spinners. Some anglers are reporting success using crankbaits. Also hit the rocks on area lakes using a jig and minnow combination.