Water temperatures on some Minnesota waters have reached the mid-80s, and most species of fish have moved deeper in search of cooler, more oxygenated waters. Some fish are coming from the deeper weeds where shade and bait fish can be found. Fishing early and late in the day is usually best for walleye and northern pike.
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.
[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]
Northeast Minnesota
Kabetogama
The 4th of July weekend was very busy, with anglers and outdoor enthusiasts enjoying their time on Lake Kabetogama. Many area waters were affected by one of the largest mayfly hatches in years. Now that the hatches are subsiding, the walleye are becoming more cooperative. Anglers have been marking large schools of inactive fish in depths of 30-40 feet, then returning to find fish in slightly shallower waters, willing to bite. Enticing these fish can take some time and patience. Pulling spinners is a good way to cover water and get a reaction bite. Lindy rigs and leeches are a great tactic when presented slowly (.1- to .2-mph). Also try casting the weedlines since walleye have been mixed in with the northern pike and smallmouth bass.
Northern pike and smallmouth bass anglers report very active fish along the weedlines and shallow rocky shorelines, with these fish attacking just about anything thrown their way. It won’t be long until the larger pike start heading to deeper water in search of colder and more oxygenated waters. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com
Ely
Walleye fishing has been challenging partially due to record high temperatures making it uncomfortable to even be out on the water. Still, those that do head out are finding walleye. Most fish are holding on top of or around the sunken islands in waters as shallow as 10 feet. Trolling or drifting spinner rigs in these areas has been very effective. Minnows continue to work well, but keeping them alive has been difficult so leeches and crawlers are now the preferred baits.
Topwater frog fishing for largemouth bass has been excellent in the thick weeds or lily pads early in the morning. Smallmouth bass have also been hitting topwater lures during morning hours. As the sun rises, the fish start sliding deeper. During the day, use spinner baits or jigs with twisters.
Lake trout action has been surprisingly good, with anglers taking fish over deep water when using lead core and shallow-diving stick baits, or downriggers with large trolling spoons. Most of the trout are holding 20-40 feet down.
Stream trout fishing has improved this week. Anglers are catching rainbows when trolling spinner rigs or small crank baits over deep water about 10-20 feet down. Shore anglers have been catching trout on inflated nightcrawlers set just off the bottom. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail and Grand Portage Area Waters
Fishing was spectacular on Cook County’s inland lakes late last week. According to a longtime local guide, the walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike were aggressive.
Large schools of herring were showing up near Grand Marais, attracting good numbers of lake trout. Most trout were coming from deep waters, roughly .5- to 2-miles offshore in 180 feet of water. 218-387-2524; www.visitcookcounty.com
Duluth – Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
Lake Superior continues to produce fish, but the bite has slowed a bit. The best areas to target are the deeper waters roughly 8 miles off the entries. The further north and east, the better. Most fish are being caught on big flasher fly combos with some sort of scent. Dr. Juice is a popular choice, but many anglers are using smelt heads. Downriggers, steel line and dipseys have been necessary and will continue to be as we move into August. Fewer anglers are stream fishing, but those that do have lots of open terrain to choose from. Brook trout and resident brown trout are being pulled from the fast current breaks on small spinner baits.
The St. Louis River is giving up large walleye in the deep channels, with anglers taking fish when towing diving crank baits. Some fish continue to come from the shallows during low light periods of the day. Catfish and other rough species remain the dominant catch. Live bait will turn a mixed bag of fish. Smallmouth bass have been active in the narrow areas of the river with current and cooler waters. Don’t be surprised if you also catch a few northern pike, perch or walleye along the way. Similar to north shore stream fishing, the river has had little fishing pressure.
The inland lakes have been great for panfish action in the deeper vegetation. Successful anglers are ripping soft plastics through the 10-15 foot deep weed pockets. Largemouth bass have also been active, responding to topwater baits resembling frogs. The varied speed of a buzz bait weaving in and out of weed patches works very well. Most walleye can be found at the mid-lake structure when trolling crank baits. The morning and night bite windows are great times to pitch the mid-lake reefs adjacent to deeper waters. Leeches under a slip bobber are also turning fish.
Please note that oxygen levels and other variables are negatively affecting certain fish species, especially the larger fish now that water temperatures are roughly 80 degrees on many area waters. If you catch a large fish, it is very important to release the fish as quickly as possible. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
Fishing has been affected by recent high temperatures. Walleye and northern pike seek out cooler waters this time of year, often in the shade of the weeds. While anglers usually think of walleye moving deep during warm summer months, the fish often gravitate to the cabbage weeds in search of shade and food. Scattered weed beds near deeper water are the best areas to target. Pull spinners with a small chub or golden shiner, as well as a gold blade for sound and flash over the tops of these areas. Early and late in the day are good times to be on the water. Some great weed walleye lakes include Trout, Bowstring, Sand, Round, Big Splithand and Big Winnie. During the day, anglers are taking nice numbers of bass and panfish. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Fishing has been spectacular on the south end of Lake of the Woods, with limits of nice walleye, plenty of larger slot fish and some trophy walleye measuring over 28 inches being taken. Schools of fish can be found throughout the lake. Some of the areas producing well include the Lighthouse and Morris Point gaps, Zippel Bay, Garden Island, and the reefs and mud near Long and Rocky points. The ideal presentation is to pull a spinner with a crawler or leech at 1.0- to 1.3-mph. Some anglers are doing well when trolling crank baits on lead core line or downriggers. Schools of walleye are also staged over the deep mud. The most productive colors are currently hammered gold, gold/glow, pink and orange.
On the Rainy River, sturgeon anglers are having success when fishing the holes with a 3-ounce no-roll sinker and sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers or frozen shiners. Lots of smallmouth bass action is being reported in the rocky areas. Northern pike are cruising the weedy bays, bay mouths and current breaks. For walleye, work the flats using crawler harnesses or trolled crank baits.
At the Northwest Angle & Islands Area, walleye action remains strong in less than 10 feet of water. Anglers having success are casting rapalas, floating leeches, and pulling crawlers at the rocks and sand bays. Walleye are also coming from the points and main lake reefs. Trolling deep-diving rapalas through 12-18 feet of water is working well for very large northern pike and slot walleye. Muskie have been active in the shallow, weedy areas, with one muskie measuring over 50 inches recently taken. Many fish measuring roughly 45 inches have also been reported. As water temperatures increase into the high 70s this week, areas with rocks will heat up. Smaller bass-size baits and blades have been very effective, with some muskie anglers seeing up to 10 fish a day! 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
As of late last week, anglers continued to take fish using a spinner rig and crawler at the deep weed edges and sharp breaks in 14-22 feet of water. Jigging raps were also working well at the deeper humps. Some of the more productive lakes included Bemidji, Wolf and Plantagenet.
Crappies and bluegills were scattered around the deeper weed edges in 8-12 feet of water, responding to small jigs and plastics. Bass fishing remained good for anglers using plastics off the deep weedlines, while topwater baits worked well in the shallows early in the day. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
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