Overall, fishing has been very good. Most fish are gravitating toward cooler waters in the deeper holes and around structure. Lowlight hours are often best for locating active fish.
Anglers are asked to fish bodies of water close to home, and practice social distancing at the boat landings and shorelines.
For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR’s Fish Minnesota web page.
Many of the communities listed below are tracking availability for this weekend. If you are looking for a last-minute getaway, please give them a call or link through to their website.
Wishing you a very happy and safe 4th of July from all of us at Explore Minnesota!
[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]
Northeast Minnesota
Ely
Walleye fishing is starting to improve on many area lakes as mayflies wrap up their annual hatch. Anglers are finding walleye at the shallow weed beds, deep mud and sunken islands, as well as suspended over deep water. The shallow water walleye are responding to jig and minnow combinations and crank baits. Walleye in the mud and around the sunken islands are coming from 15-20 feet of water on leeches or crawlers on spinner rigs or lindy rigs. Anglers finding walleye suspended over deep water are catching them when using deep-diving shad raps or tail dancers during the evening hours.
Lake trout fishing has been as hot as the recent air temperatures! Anglers report excellent fishing on the many area lake trout lakes when trolling large trolling spoons behind downriggers and lead core over deep water. Fishing from a canoe has been successful when drifting over deep water with large buck tails or tubes jigged aggressively.
Both smallmouth and largemouth bass have been aggressive around downed trees, weed beds and large boulders, hitting topwater baits like frogs, whopper ploppers and hula poppers. During the day, anglers continue to catch bass when using sub-surface spinner baits, beetle spins and wacky worms.
Lots of smaller northern pike are being pulled from shallow waters. There have been a few reports of some large pike coming from the weed beds on buzz baits, spinner baits and spoons. Areas to target include the shallow weed beds, mouths of the shallow bays and river mouths. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth – Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
The bite on Lake Superior has stalled a bit. Reasons for the slowdown include numerous bug hatches and fish taking on new summer patterns. The best tactic has been to focus on deeper water using downriggers, dipsey divers or steel-lines with flasher-fly combinations and spoons. Meat-rigging should also turn some fish. Anglers are finding some very large lake trout along the north shore, with some large walleye coming from depths of 20-40 feet along the south shore. The best walleye tactic is to speed-troll stick baits near the river mouths.
On the St. Louis River, most fish have headed deeper to the cooler waters. Lots of good-sized channel cats are being reported by anglers slowly rolling night crawlers. Smallmouth bass are active up river in areas with current. Some muskie anglers are having success near the vegetation. Lowlight periods have been best since the daytime temperatures are at their lowest. Traffic has dropped on the river so if you’re hoping to avoid the crowds, the river is a nice choice.
Inland waters are bustling with people enjoying the summer. Fishing has been good on some lakes, but not-so-good on others. Some nice walleye are coming from depths of 20 feet near the mid-lake humps on leeches under slip bobbers. Anglers are also taking some very nice smallmouth bass when chucking spinner and crank baits near the rock/sand/gravel areas. Largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish are active in and around the deeper vegetation. To avoid bass and pike when panfishing, use corn.
With all the people taking to the water this summer, there will be lots of fireworks debris, plastic bags, cans, etc. If you see any litter while out on the water, please pick it up. Let’s all do our part to help keep things clean. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
This weekend will be a great time to share special moments and introduce a child to fishing. Children thrill to see a bobber disappear below the surface then reel in a perch or sunfish. Many lakes in the Grand Rapids area are excellent for panfish action, including Pokegama (Tioga, Myers and Salter bays), Trout, Little Splithand, Little Moose, Rice and Jay Gould lakes. Take time to fish with a youngster this weekend — you may very well create memories for a lifetime. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Walleye fishing remains very good in numerous spots on the south end of Lake of the Woods. Areas to check out include 8-10 foot depths around Garden Island and near the Lighthouse and Morris Point gaps. Large numbers of walleye are also staged over the deep mud in 25-31 feet of water. Most anglers are having success when drifting or trolling harnesses (spinners) with crawlers or leeches. Hammered gold is hard to beat, but glow, pink, chartreuse and orange colors are also working well in the stained water. Some fish continue to be caught when jigging on the structure or rock to mud transitions.
The sturgeon season opened July 1, and Rainy River anglers are thrilled to have the chance to catch one of these prehistoric fish once again. To see a sturgeon jump high out of the waters of the Rainy River is a memorable sight, and to catch a sturgeon is a memory that will be etched into your mind for years to come. Learn more at Sensational Sturgeon on the Rainy River. Anglers are taking lots of smallmouth bass from the rocky areas, around the bridges and at the current breaks on the Rainy River. Northern pike are being pulled from the weedy bays, bay mouths and current breaks. Walleye can be found in depths of 20-25 feet.
Up at the Northwest Angle, schools of walleye are holding at the structure, over the sand and on the mud in 8-14 and 26-28 feet of water. The best presentation has been drifting and trolling spinners with a crawler or minnow. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are active in the weedy bays, and there are hundreds around the Angle. For the most action, try a spinner bait or spoon. Until the U.S./Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake and stay in Minnesota waters. Learn more at Boating to the Northwest Angle. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bemidji
Additional bug hatches have caused the walleye bite to slow a bit, but anglers continue to take fish using a spinner rig and crawler. Look to the deep weed edges and sharp breaks in 14-22 feet of water for the most fish. Jigging raps are also working well when you can find a pod of fish at the deeper humps and. Some of the best lakes to fish currently include Bemidji, Wolf and Plantagenet.
Crappies and bluegills are scattered around the deeper weed edges in 8-12 feet of water. For the most fish, use a small jig and plastic. Bass fishing remains good for anglers using plastics off the deep weedlines, while topwater baits are working well up in the shallows early in the day. Have a great 4th of July weekend and please remember to practice selective harvesting. By doing so we will continue to have great fishing for years to come. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
Walker – Leech Lake
Fishing remains steady on Leech Lake, but anglers must stay mobile to stay on top of fish. The bug hatches are in full swing so the fish are keying in on areas with the highest concentrations of bugs. Covering water with spinner rigs and night crawlers at 0.9- to 1.2-mph are producing a good number of walleye on the west side of the lake. During low light hours, pulling crank baits through 6-9 feet of water has also been productive.
Northern pike and bass are very active near the greenest weeds in 3-5 feet of water. Casting moving baits such as spoons, spinner baits, and swim jigs are good ways to catch these fish. Panfish are active in many of the same areas, but slightly deeper in 6-8 feet of water. For the most action, use a small jig and panfish leech.
The muskie bite has been steady for anglers casting bucktails and jerk baits, or trolling 10- to14-inch crank baits in the open water.
On other area lakes, summer patterns are working well for walleye. Try trolling spinners with crawlers on bottom bouncers to locate active fish. Start in depths of 8-12 feet of water and work deeper. Once an active pod of fish is located, use leeches or crawlers on a lindy rig or jig rap.
Largemouth bass are still in or on the weeds. Texas rigs are a great option for lots of action. The smallmouth bass are relating to the rocks, with the larger fish at the deeper rocks in 25-plus feet of water. Lindy rigs with live bait is a great option for these fish.
For crappies and sunnies, start shallow in the weeds and work your way out to the weed edge. Trolling small jigs at the cabbage will produce crappies. Low light seems to be the best time to find active fish. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com
Park Rapids
Midsummer crappie action is in full swing. The crappies can be found schooled in and around the heavy, shallow weed beds in 8-12 feet of water. For the most action, try working a 1/16-ounce tube jig along the edges of the weeds about halfway to the bottom or through the tops of the weeds. Midday fish can be found grouped tight together inside the weeds.
Walleye are being pulled from the weedlines and secondary breaks in depths of 12-25 feet. Fast-moving live bait rigs such as a crawler/spinner combination worked along the weed edges will put fish in the boat, along with some really nice bluegills.
Largemouth bass are schooling on the deep weedlines at the points and inside turns in 15-20 foot depths. For fast and fun action, use a black 7-inch power worm rigged Texas-style. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
Fishing in Otter Tail Lakes Country remains excellent, with multiple patterns producing fish. The walleye can be found at the sunken humps, points, inside corners and deep saddles. Bottom bouncers and slow death rigs have worked best. A good rule of thumb for bouncers is to use one ounce of weight for every 10 feet of water. Puppet minnows are another great option since they let you work a spot to locate an active pod of fish.
The crappies are well established in the growing cabbage beds. Trolling a thumper jig over the weeds is a great tactic to locate fish and trigger a strike.
The muskies are split between the emerging weed beds and open water where the fish are suspending. Bucktails have been best to trigger fish to bite, but trolling methods are also producing fish. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Brainerd Area Lakes
The fishing has really heated up in the Brainerd lakes area. Walleye are very active off the weed drops in 11-17 feet of water. A wide variety of presentations have been working well, but trolling rattling crank baits that can nick the tops of the weeds has been the best way to get a reaction strike.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass action is in full swing. Try topwater lures early and late in the day for a strong bite. During midday hours, check under the docks and off the deep points.
Northern pike remain active throughout the day, with fish hitting muskie jerk baits and big spinner baits.
Bluegills and crappies are both in their mid-summer patterns. Bluegills are biting throughout the day. Crappies are more active during low light periods. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
The walleye season will be closed for the month of July on Lake Mille Lacs. Anglers will still enjoy all of the smallmouth bass action, as well as the active bite by many other species of fish. Check out current lake conditions at the Mille Lacs Lake Webcams web page. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
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