The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of ST CLOUD, where area lakes and rivers are producing numbers of walleye, northern pike, crappies, sunnies and jumbo perch!

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH
On Lake Superior, kamloop fishing has been good along the North Shore from the French River to the Knife River. The best approach has been a spawn bag and hardware cast from shore. If trolling, try stickbaits. And, anglers report catching a few muskies on the St. Louis River.

KABETOGAMA
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, heavy rains kept anglers of the lakes last weekend. A few anglers did venture out and found walleye off the structured shorelines in 12-18 feet of water drifting a jig and minnow combination. The typical late fall walleye holes in 30-45 foot depths have been slow. Northern pike action is expected to pick up before the lakes freeze over. And whitefish netting has been slow due to poor weather conditions.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, a few anglers continue to venture out and enjoy late autumn fishing. Walleye and northern pike continue to be pulled from the reef structure found in 28-50 feet of water. The best approach has been a gold or yellow jig tipped with a shiner or rainbow minnow. Also try trolling the reefs on the main lake.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
Fishing remains excellent throughout the Rainy River and on Lake of the Woods. The month of October was one of the best in years with numbers of walleye being reported. Walleye activity on the Rainy River continues to be excellent, with anglers either drifting or anchoring. One party had five catch-and-release walleye over 24 inches, with one measuring 26 inches. Water temperatures are hovering in the mid-40’s, and the current flow is above normal. On Lake of the Woods, fishing is good from the Lighthouse Gap to Birchdale, with many 8- to 11-pound walleye being taken. At the Northwest Angle and Island area, anglers report good muskie action when trolling.

BENA
On Lakes Winnibigoshish and Cutfoot Sioux, fishing has been inconsistent. Try green glow fireball jigs in areas with gravel and green cabbage near the deepwater breaks for most fish. Also change speeds while jigging. The deep crappie bite is expected to pick up in the near future.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, walleye are hitting jig and minnow combinations during evening hours at the humps in Walker Bay.

DETROIT LAKES
Pelican, Big Cormorant, Lizzie and Big Detroit lakes are all producing walleye on jig and minnow combinations worked in 20-30 feet of water. More muskies are also being reported.

BATTLE LAKE
Anglers are catching a few walleye at night on Battle, Stalker and Blanche lakes using minnows. Northern pike are hitting suckers worked in 15 feet of water during the day. Crappie action is picking up on South Turtle, Stalker and Battle lakes.

ALEXANDRIA
Anglers venturing out are catching fish. Walleye can be found in 60-90 feet of water on Ida and Miltona lakes. Lake Le Homme Dieu is producing walleye in depths of 40-55 feet. Anglers are also catching a few walleye on Chippewa Lake. For the most fish, try fishing from shore during evening hours.

STARBUCK
Walleye action has been slow on Lake Minnewaska, however fish continue to be pulled from Lake Emily.

BRAINERD
Walleye action is picking up on area lakes. Fish remain scattered, with some now moving into the shallows. The best reports are coming from anglers trolling black & gold, fire-tiger or blue crankbaits after dark in 5-8 feet of water. Key locations have been the large, shallow flats adjacent to deeper waters. The daytime bite is expected to improve once the lakes have a chance to stabilize.

NISSWA
As the fall winds down, the fishing is improving. Lakes that turned over last week have settled down, and fall feeding patterns have resumed. Fish are moving into shallower waters, with some remaining all year in 25-40 foot depths. Walleye can be found in the shallows using crankbaits during evening hours and into the night. For the most fish, hit depths of 5-10 feet on Pelican and Gull lakes. North Long continues to produce some nice fish on live bait in the Merrifield Bay area and into the main lake on the north side. Shiners, rainbows and river minnows have all worked well. Crappies are coming out of Upper Gull Lake, as well as some of the other smaller area lakes. November’s forecasted warmer temperatures should result in excellent fishing.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye activity has been good in 5-8 feet of water. Last weekend’s steady east winds improved fishing at the rock reefs along the west side of the lake. Reefs near a good deepwater access have been more productive than the shoreline reefs. Some good starting points include Anderson’s, Shaw’s, Rocky Reef, Agate, Flamingo and Indian Point. For the most fish, try a shallow-running shad rap, husky jerk, F-11, F-13, rattling rogue or a sting about an hour before sunset until an hour after sunset. Please remember that all the markers and many of the docks have been removed.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD
Walleye are being pulled from the Sauk River near the town of Cold Spring. Fish are also biting above the Sartell Dam on the Mississippi River. Crappies and sunnies are hitting below the dam by St. Cloud State University. Rice Lake, and the Third Island area on Lake Koronis are producing a few crappies and walleye. Goodner Lake is giving up panfish on waxworms and ice jigs. For northern pike, try a sucker minnow in 10-12 feet of water on any area lake. Jumbo perch can be found using waxworms in 6-8 feet of water on Little Rock Lake. Mayhew and Julia lakes have been good for sunfish.

ANNANDALE
Pleasant Lake is producing walleye in 28 feet of water on nightcrawlers. Fatheads are working best on Clearwater Lake.

WACONIA
Lake Waconia’s reefs are producing muskies during the day on bucktails and crankbaits.

WAYZATA
Walleye and northern pike are biting at the weedlines on most area lakes. For the most fish, try a minnow in 15 feet of water on Lake Minnetonka or Independence. A few walleye are also being taken from the channels at night on rapalas.

CHISAGO CITY
A good shallow walleye bite is being reported on Green Lake in roughly 6 feet of water. The channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes is also producing fish. For the most fish, try trolling a #5 or #7 shad rap. Crappies can be found suspended in the middle of area lakes.

STILLWATER
On the St. Croix River, walleye size is improving, and many fish are measuring 18 inches and more. For the most fish, hit 20-30 feet of water using minnows on a live bait rig or jig. Also try trolling three-way crankbait set-ups or 3-6 inch stickbaits. The most productive colors are firetiger and orange. Anglers are reporting good numbers of 15- to 17-inch saugers as well.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

WABASHA
Bluegills are hitting waxworms and redworms in the backwaters of the Mississippi River. Walleye are active below the Alma Dam. For the most fish, try a 3/4- to 1/2-ounce purple or black killer jig tipped with a minnow.

MANKATO
Walleye are hitting jig and fathead combinations on the Blue Earth, Minnesota and Watonwan rivers. Walleye and crappies are being pulled from the narrows of Madison Lake. Crystal Lake is producing walleye on jigs tipped with minnows, with crappies taken on minnows and plain hooks under a bobber. Try shore fishing or fishing from docks. On German Lake, hit the typical ice fishing areas and deep holes for some crappie action.

WILLMAR
Walleye are active on Green Lake. Shore fishing has been good on Ringo, Diamond, Big Kandi and Eagle lakes.

MONTEVIDEO
Anglers continue to pull a few large walleye from the Minnesota River, as well as from Lake Lac Qui Parle.

ORTONVILLE
Fishing on Big Stone Lake has been productive during evening hours. For the most fish, try casting a jig and minnow on the south end of the lake, as well as near town and by the Peninsula.