The Fishing Hot Spot this week is LAKE MILLE LACS, located the city of ONAMIA, where excellent numbers of walleyes are being taken.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing http://www.wildlifelicense.com/mn/index.html And, please consult Minnesota DNR rules and regulations for slot limits on specific lakes.
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NORTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
Duluth
A few walleyes are coming from waters as deep as 30 feet on Fish, Island and Caribou lakes. Use a crawler harness, or troll crankbaits for the most fish. Trout and splake are active on many area lakes. Some decent muskie action is being reported on Island Lake, and on the St. Louis River at the channel edges and weed beds, especially during lowlight hours. On Lake Superior, lake trout are being pulled from 100-130 feet of water, roughly 90-120 feet down, on dodgers and flies. And an occasional salmon is showing up in front of the Lester River.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, slip sinker rigs tipped with leeches, crawlers or minnows are producing the most fish, especially in depths of 22-30 feet at the reef edges and shoreline breaks. When the weather is unstable, try a jig and minnow in depths of 30-40 feet–change speeds often to improve your chance of a strike. Crankbaits are still working well along the shorelines and weed edges for most species. Rock wall structures, rock piles and deeper rock and rubble reefs have all been good for smallmouth bass action. For the most fish, try a crayfish-style bait. And other lakes within Voyageurs’ National Park have been excellent for largemouth bass action, and are well worth the hike.
International Falls
Fall is possibly the best time to fish Rainy Lake and the Rainy River–the fish are active, the weather is generally moderate, the fall colors can be beautiful, and the insect population has fallen dramatically. At present, walleye anglers are doing well using minnows in 20-30 feet of water over the submerged reefs. There are reports that Sand Bay has been very productive. Last weekend’s International Falls Bass Championship produced numbers of nice-sized bass. The Rainy River proved to be the more consistent location, an the Mimic Minnow was the best producer. Water levels remain low on the Rat Root and Littlefork rivers, with slightly higher levels on the Big Fork River–each of these rivers has been excellent for smallmouth bass. And there have been reports of a few bear sightings, as well as small flocks of geese and sandhill cranes beginning to head south.
Grand Rapids
Walleyes and crappies are once again coming from Bowstring and Sand lakes. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are very active on Pokegama, Trout and Balsam lakes, as well as most lakes around Marcell. Muskie action has been fair on Moose, Little Moose and Northstar lakes, with bucktails working best.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
Baudette
On Lake Of The Woods, fishing remains excellent. The Northwest Angle and Islands area is giving up numbers of walleyes in 14-16 feet of water on jigs tipped with minnows or crawlers. Two walleye measuring over 30-inches were recently caught and released. Crappies are also biting, with one 17-inch fish recently landed, and stringers of 45 fish being reported. Walleyes are also hitting jigs and minnows worked off the points in depths of 14-20 feet of water, with smallmouth bass also showing up. Muskies remain active in this area as well. The Rainy River is always interesting, and one party caught six walleyes, and two sturgeon on frozen shiners. The sturgeon can still be seen jumping in the river. Resorters are seeing the first run of shiners in the river, which should be followed by increased fish activity. Smallmouth bass are active in the river, with a 12-year-old recently landing a beautiful 4-pound smallie in the Clementson area. Along the South Shore, the stretch between Long Point, Garden and Stony Point has been excellent for walleyes, with fish found in depths of 34-36 feet while downrigging with plugs. At Zippel Bay, large fish are being taken on crawlers and leeches worked through the rocky areas.
Blackduck
Muskies are active on many area lakes. The walleye bite is picking up on Blackduck Lake, as well as other area lakes. Panfish are biting on Gilstad and Rabideau lakes. Upper Red Lake anglers are catching limits of crappies off the cribs near Roger’s.
Bemidji
Lake Plantagenet is producing walleyes in 7-10 feet of water out on the rock piles, and in depths of 8-10 feet along the west shoreline cabbage. Also check out 20 foot depths off the break since fish are starting to move into deeper waters due to cooler temperatures. On Lake Bemidji, the rock piles, Diamond Point, and Grassy Island are all kicking out walleyes. Try trolling after dark for the most fish. Cass Lake is giving up walleyes on the sand bars. The best approach has been a jig and minnow, or a lindy rig tipped with a crawler or leech. After dark, switch to shad raps. Muskie action has been consistent on Lake Bemidji. For northern pike, hit Grace Lake.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the bars on the south end of the lake have been the most consistent, with roach rigs, 7-foot leaders and crawlers producing numbers of fish. Leeches are also working well, but have been difficult to find. Work the edges of Big and Little Musky, Horseshoe, Moses and Eelpout in 18-25 feet for limits of fish. The jig and minnow bite has been improving, especially at Raven’s Point and the outside of Tamarack Bay. At the North Shore and Highbanks areas, try chub-colored taildancers and the new purple haze shad raps in 7-12 foot depths at the outside edges of the weeds. Crappie action has been improving on Big Cutfoot Sioux, with nice-sized fish coming from 22-28 feet of water by vertically jigging small jigs and minnows. Lots of nice bluegills are coming out of McAvity Bay on half of a nightcrawler or small leeches worked in depths of 15-17 feet. Northern pike fishing has been good at the North Shore and Tamarack Bay area when trolling flashy spoons quickly through 7-11 foot depths.
Walker
On Leech Lake, some walleye anglers are limiting out in less than an hour, especially at Sand and Agency bays. Muskies are also active, with lots of 40-inch fish being caught and released. Bass action has also been good, and perch should become more active in the next couple of weeks.
Hackensack
Muskie fishing is going well on area lakes. For walleyes, hit Woman or Stony lakes. Bass and sunfish are biting on Birch Lake.
Park Rapids
The walleye bite is picking up on Big Sand and Potato lakes in 8 feet of water. Crappies and bluegills are active on Fish Hook and Long lakes, with pink and white jigs taking fish from 13-20 feet of water.
Detroit Lakes
The walleye bite continues to improve. For the most fish, try jigs and minnows off the sharp breaks on Big Cormorant, White Earth, Elbow, Many Point, Toad, and Island lakes. Bass action remains strong, with plastics turning the majority of fish. Crappies and bluegills are being caught in and along the deep cabbage weeds. Muskie action is picking up on Detroit Lake.
Pelican Rapids
Sunfish and walleyes are being pulled from Lake Lida. Prairie Lake is also producing good numbers of sunfish. Pelican Lake is a good bet for walleyes and numbers of northern pike. Fatheads, suckers, and leeches are all working well.
Battle Lake
Walleyes are hitting suckers, shiners and redtails throughout the day on Ottertail Lake. During evening hours, troll crankbaits on the flats. Battle Lake walleyes are taking nightcrawlers, shiners and redtails. Switch to shad raps towards dusk. Northerns are hitting sucker minnows on Battle, Ottertail and Clitheral lakes. Muskies are being taken on small crankbaits. Topwater baits are producing bass. And for sunfish, hit Blanche, South Turtle and Clitheral lakes.
Alexandria
Walleyes are hitting shiners and redtails in 20 feet of water. Try Carlos, Ida and Miltona lakes during morning and evening hours for the most fish. Panfish are biting in the shallows of Geneva, Darling and Victoria lakes.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye action is picking up as the water temperatures cool down. Reno and Minnewaska lakes are both producing fish, especially at night. On Lake Minnewaska, work off the edge of the bulrushes on the north side of the lake using floating rapalas in 5 feet of water. On Lake Reno, hit 7-8 foot depths on the north side of the lake. Sunfish and bass action has been good throughout these lakes.
Brainerd
North Long, Pelican and Gull lakes are giving up walleyes on lindy rigs tipped with redtail chubs. During the day, hit depths of 18-28 feet, and at night, check out 10-12 feet of water. Bass action remains strong, with fish hitting large white spinnerbaits slowly rolled across the flats.
Crosslake
Walleyes remain deep, and are hitting lindy rigs and spinner rigs tipped with redtails or leeches in 30-34 feet of water during the day. During evening hours, try trolling crankbaits over the deeper waters. Northern pike continue to be pulled from the outer weed edges. For the most fish, try large sucker minnows on spinner rigs or under bobbers. Bass are in and along the outer weeds, hitting spinnerbaits, and jigs tipped with plastic worms worked along the surface or in the weeds. Crappies can be found suspended down 12-14 feet off the points and submerged islands. The best approach has been a small jig tipped with a minnow or worm. Panfish are hanging along the weedlines throughout area lakes.
Nisswa
The walleye bite has hit full stride, and anglers report 10, 20, and even 30 fish coming in each day, especially on Gull Lake. The abundance of young fish are growing up, and becoming keeper-size fish, with many 14- to 18-inch fish being seen. Smaller redtail chubs and nightcrawlers have been the best producers. Try tailhooking the minnows on a lindy rig on a 2-4 foot leader and work the windward side of the lakes. All windswept weedlines, humps, points, and inside turns seem to be holding fish, all the way from the 13-16 foot weed edges out to 30 feet of water. Fishing has been great throughout the day, with fish moving up and down the break, so remain mobile.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, recent breezy conditions have caused a good shallow rock bite. Some anglers are reporting excellent catches by anchoring up wind of the reefs and letting a slip bobber and leech drift up to the edge of the rocks. Many anglers overlook the shallows this time of year, and head straight for the flats. If the “flats” don’t pan out, give the shallows a try. Some anglers are having success casting Wally divers and shad raps onto the reefs, and pulling them off the drop. In the deeper waters, run crawlers and spinners through 28 feet of water near the edge of the flats. Angling pressure has been light, and anglers are enjoying easy access to their favorite fishing spots! Muskie action continues to improve–hit Vineland Bay using bull dawgs and prop tops for the best results, with several nice fish recently reported.
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TWIN CITIES FISHING REPORTS
St. Cloud
Panfish are hitting worms and waxworms on Sauk and Schneider lakes. Anglers report excellent bass action at the first and second breaklines. Northern pike remain active, with fish hitting sucker minnows. Walleye anglers are having the most success on the Mississippi River, and on Little Rock Lake, using a 1/8-ounce jig tipped with a minnow. Lowlight hours have been best. And smallmouth bass are providing lots of action on the Mississippi.
Grey Eagle
Big Birch, Big Swan and Mound lakes continue to give up limits of nice-sized sunfish, as well as a few large crappies. A few walleyes are coming from Big Birch Lake. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing, as well as northern pike fishing has been excellent throughout the area. Muskie action remains strong on Buckhorn Lake. Please note that this used to be a DNR rearing pond, so the access is minimal–a very small or carry-in style boat is advised.
Eden Valley
Panfish remain very active on Grand, Koronis, Rice, Horseshoe, Becker and Pleasant lakes, with fish hitting angle worms and waxworms in 7-10 feet of water in the holes of the weeds. A few crappies are coming from Rice Lake off Fisher’s Resort on black flu flu jigs and crappie minnows worked in 18 feet of water. Walleye are being pulled from 22-28 foot depths on jigs and lindy rigs tipped with minnows on Koronis or Rice lakes. Northern pike are extremely active 15 feet down in the weeds and just off the weed edges. For the most fish, try a larger jig tipped with a minnow during the day. Towards dusk, work spinnerbaits over the weeds and weed edges. And for bass, hit Koronis and Horseshoe lakes.
Annandale
Bass are active at the deep weedlines of most area lakes. Walleye action has been best in 20-25 feet of water on nightcrawlers. Sunnies remain on top of the weedlines in 5-10 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows either bobber fished or trolled through 10-15 feet of water on on Clearwater Lake.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, bass are active in the shallows on the north side of the lake. For the most fish, hit the reeds and bulrushes using topwater baits. Also try the reefs, such as Cemetery, Center and North. For a few walleyes, hit the Beach, Anderson’s Reef and Red’s Reef using a jig tipped with a minnow or nightcrawler.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, sunfish are hitting jigs and plastics along the weed edges during lowlight hours. For muskies, work the flats using bucktails during morning hours. Northern pike and walleye action is starting to pick up, with fish preferring minnows.
Anoka
Smallmouth and walleye action have improved on the Mississippi River. For the most fish, try live bait, such as redtails and nightcrawlers. Largemouth bass are hitting artificials on most area lakes. The crappie bite remains good on Green, Buffalo and Linwood lakes. The best approach has been a crappie minnow or fathead. For sunnies, hit Peltier and George lakes using waxworms in 15 feet of water.
Chisago City
Chisago Lake walleyes are starting to bite in 5-9 feet of water at the shallow sand. The bass bite remains good, with fish hitting rattle traps worked in the shallows of Green, Chisago, North and South Center lakes. For northern pike, hit Sunrise Lake using suckers–the weeds have died off making it much easier to fish.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
Mankato
Crappies and sunnies are coming from 12-15 feet of water on Lake Washington. Madison Lake is giving up sunfish in depths of 12 feet. A few walleyes are starting to bite during evening hours–for the most fish, use a crankbait in the shallows. Northern pike are active on Big Jeff Lake. Successful bass anglers are using spinnerbatis and tube jigs on area lakes.
Montevideo
Walleye action is picking up on Lake Lac qui Parle. The best approach has been a crankbait pulled through 10 feet of water. The Minnesota River is giving up walleyes on jig and minnow combinations.
Ortonville
On Big Stone Lake, bluegills and perch are being pulled from 10-12 feet of water at the Meadowbrook and Goose Island areas. The Rocky Ledge is producing fish in depths of 13-14 feet. For the most fish, try a variety of baits, such as waxworms on small ice jigs, and crappie minnows.
