While we’re in the “dog days” of summer, fishing remains very good for bass, crappies and bluegills. Walleye anglers are finding some nice fish when trolling crank baits and spinners through depths of 6-30 feet of water depending on weed cover and structure.
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]
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers are enjoying great walleye fishing on the south shore of Lake of the Woods last week, with strong numbers of eating-size walleye and some large walleye being reported. The two most popular patterns have been spinners with crawlers and trolled crank baits. Most of the larger walleye are coming from the deep mud and on or adjacent to the deep reefs. Scattered schools of eating-sized fish can be found in 7-34 feet of water. Hammered gold, glow white, glow red and firetiger are the most productive colors.
On the Rainy River, walleye are being caught by anglers trolling the flats and shoreline breaks. Sturgeon are starting to cooperate in the deep holes up and down the river, responding to sturgeon rigs with 3-ounce no-roll sinkers and crawlers. Smallmouth bass are active around the rocks and bridge pillars, and along the weedlines. Northern pike are scattered in the bays and weedy areas.
Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing remains strong, with lots of walleye being taken from the 8-17 foot sand, and from around the structure and over mud in depths of 23-29 feet. The best presentation continues to be drifting and trolling spinners with a crawler, leech or minnow. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are active in the weedy bays. Muskie are being caught in the deep bays and at the rocky points.
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
Water temperatures have dropped back into the mid-70s which seems to have revived the walleye bite. Live bait rigs with leeches or spinners with crawlers have been the key to boating walleye. Look to the deep weed edges, mid-lake structure and sharp breaks on Bemidji, Plantagenet, and Wolf lakes for the most fish.
Northern pike fishing has been good off the deep weeds of area lakes, especially when using a jig and minnow. Bass fishing remains excellent for anglers using plastics. Crappies and bluegills are active in and around the deeper cabbage. Anglers are asked to please 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
The walleye are in their mid-lake summer patterns on Leech Lake, with bottom bouncers and pulled rapalas producing the most fish. Unfortunately, the abundant food supply has made it necessary to cover more water at faster speeds. Most of the walleye have had crayfish inside of them so a crayfish-colored rapala is a great place to start. Silver shad and perch colors should also turn fish. Early morning and evening hours are best, especially in 8-16 feet of water along the sand flats and breaks.
Muskie action has been slow, with few sightings. Still, the warm water temperatures should push the muskie into the shallows and enhance the bite. Weeds are a good place to start, but depths of 5-7 feet at the rocks and sand should also be considered. For the most action, toss out a bucktail, topwater or jerk bait. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com
Park Rapids
Fishing for multiple species has been great in the Park Rapids area. Largemouth bass are attacking wacky worms in 5-10 feet of water at most weed beds. The northern pike are a bit more sluggish, but can easily be caught by trolling the deep weedlines with deep-diving crank baits running about 12-15 feet deep. Crappies and bluegills are hanging out in the thick weed beds in between shore and the first break. Working small white grubs on a 1/16-ounce jig through the tops of the weeds will put fish in the boat. Walleye anglers are finding fish in a variety of locations. Some fish are at the deep mid-lake structure, some are along the weedlines all day long, and others are cruising the mid-range flats in search for food. For the most action, use spinners, live bait rigs, or jigs tipped with live bait. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Detroit Lakes
Water temperatures in the Detroit Lakes area have dropped to the mid- to high 70s due to the cold front and rainfall last week. Walleye are being pulled from 20-30 feet of water on the breaks, points and mid-lake structure of most lakes. The deeper walleye are responding to jigging, rigging, jig/rippin raps, slip bobbers and trolled crank baits and spinners. Some walleye can be found shallow, feeding on young of the year hatches in 8-12 feet of water. The shallow walleye are being taken by anglers snap-jigging or pulling crank baits or spinners.
Largemouth bass are relating to the weeds, shallow rocks, docks and shoreline deadfall. The smallmouth bass have been the most active on the gravel beds and rock piles. Crappies are coming from depths of 8-15 feet at the cabbage weeds. The bluegills are active everywhere. For lots of small northern pike action, check the outside weed edges. For larger northern pike, hit the deeper/cooler waters off the shoreline breaks. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Glenwood Area Lakes
Walleye continue to bite in lakes throughout the area. On many area lakes, large populations of walleye have moved out to the deep structure and basins. Mid-lake points, inside turns, and sometimes the middle of nowhere are holding walleye. Finding the right bait is key, as well as being able to mark fish. When fishing out in deeper water (22-28 feet), move on if you aren’t marking fish. Anglers are catching fish when pulling lead core, a good tactic when fish are out roaming the basin. Lead core is fairly simple to use, and it adds about 5 feet to the crank bait. Pull the crank baits at roughly 1.8- to 2.2- mph. If possible, find out what the fish are feeding on to determine the best colors and patterns. www.glenwoodlakesarea.org
Brainerd Area Lakes
Fishing remains fairly consistent for bass, bluegill and crappie anglers. Look for bass under the docks, in the thick vegetation and off the tips of the deepwater points. Bluegills can be found along the weedlines, inside turns and the tips of the points. Crappie action has been best on top of the weedy points on windy days, and suspended off the edges of the weeds on calmer days.
The walleye bite has been fair to good for anglers trolling harnesses along the weed edges, with some deeper fish on the rocks responding to live bait rigs and snap-jigging. A consistent night bite is being reported along the weedlines. Northern pike remain very aggressive along the shoreline breaks. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
Please note that walleye fishing is prohibited during the month of July on Lake Mille Lacs, however, the walleye season will resume on August 1. Bass fishing remains steady, and the quality of fish has increased a bit compared to last week. The weather has been extreme with lots of wind, rain and thunderstorms, but there hasn’t been much of an impact on fishing. The water clarity, however, has decreased so natural colors and patterns are out-producing more colorful choices. Some of the smaller fish remain in 5-8 feet of water. Most of the larger fish have moved out to the deep, isolated boulders in roughly 10-15 feet of water. The best baits have been a ned rig and drop shot when targeting the deeper fish. When fishing shallow, use paddle tail swim baits, and 3-inch diving husky jerk baits.
A few muskie are being seen when up shallow on the rock reefs. When targeting these fish, throw large baits into 4-10 feet of water on the main lake rock reefs.
Check out current lake conditions at the Mille Lacs Lake Webcams web page. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Willmar
Walleye action has been good for anglers using bottom bouncers and crawlers in 15-25 foot depths, especially during early morning and late evening hours. Anglers are also doing well when trolling shad raps through 10-15 feet of water over the large flats during evening hours.
Bass and northern pike action remains strong, especially at the deeper weeds holding baitfish. The crappies have been aggressive, hitting spinner rigs and jigs with plastics worked over the weeds in 9-15 feet of water. Lakes to consider include Big Kandiyohi, Diamond, Florida, Calhoun and Eagle. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Northeast Minnesota
Kabetogama
Fishing has improved on Lake Kabetogama, and anglers are enjoying more moderate temperatures and nice numbers of walleye. Inconsistent weather patterns have most anglers on the move looking for active fish. Water temperatures are holding in the mid-70s in most areas of the lake, except on warmer days where some bays are pushing 80 degrees. The most consistent walleye bite has been in 20-26 feet of water off the reefs and shoreline points. On windy days and during early morning and late evening hours, move into depths of 12-18 feet in these areas. Most anglers are having success when using slowly presenting a lindy rig tipped with a leech. Some anglers are also taking fish when casting along the deeper weedlines, especially on cloudy or windy days. Again, moving frequently to find active fish has been essential.
Northern pike and smallmouth bass remain active in and along the shorelines and deeper weed beds. Larger pike can be found suspended over deep water looking for cooler temperatures and more oxygen. Trolling crank baits and spoons can be very productive this time of year. Locating the thermocline is important since baitfish will suspend just above this layer where oxygen levels are higher — expect the larger fish to be right nearby. You can find the thermocline by turning up the sensitivity on your sonar unit, and looking for a band on your screen. Trolling baits just above this area can result in some great action! 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com
Ely
Walleye fishing continues to improve, with anglers finding fish out on the main lake structure in 12-18 feet of water. Spinner rigs and jigging raps have accounted for the majority of walleye being caught. During early morning and evening hours, anglers have been catching nice walleye on the large shallow flats while trolling large minnow baits in 10 feet of water or less.
Smallmouth bass have been easy pickings for savy bass anglers. Areas with streams or creeks bringing water into a lake and the large rocky flats are giving up bass in 5-10 feet of water. The topwater bite remains excellent early in the morning, but as the sun rises, spinnerbaits, beetle spins and wacky worms become the go-to baits. Largemouth bass also remain very active. Frogs fished over the lily pads or wild rice beds are excellent for these hard-fighting fish.
One weather front after another made panfishing a challenge, although sunfish have been more cooperative than the crappies. The sunfish have been hitting small hair jigs tipped with a piece of night crawler or a waxworm in 5-10 feet of water and inside the weed beds. Crappies have been found holding just outside the weed beds during the day. Anglers have had some luck catching them in the weed beds during evening hours as crappies move in to feed. Jigs and twisters steadily retrieved have been the most effective technique. Small crank baits are also turning some fish.
Lots of small northern pike are coming from the weed beds and river mouths. Husky jerks, spinner baits and spoons are all working well. The larger pike, measuring more than 30 inches long, can be found around the sunken islands. Walleye anglers have been catching them while using spinner rigs. Anglers targeting large pike have been using spinner rigs tipped with large suckers. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth – Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
Water temperatures in most inland lakes, reservoirs and flowages have dropped back into the mid-70s. The inland waters continue to produce the greatest numbers of fish. Some very nice bass are coming from the creek and river mouths. Similar to Lake Superior, smaller feeder streams add fresh food and oxygen to the water which in turn attracts a variety of species and different year classes. If you discover a lack of action around these “mouths,” check areas in close proximity. The most productive baits have included 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jigs tipped with part of a nightcrawler or a minnow, small-bodied hard baits, and smaller 2-inch boot-tailed plastics. Be sure to check the windblown shorelines and sunken reefs/islands for active walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass.
Lake Superior has been inconsistent for most anglers. The best reports are coming from the North Shore, in and around the Two Harbors area. Trolling large flasher fly combos and/or spoons remains the best bet. The tricky part is finding active eaters. The rivers on both the North and South shores are high and depositing a good volume of fresh water into Lake Superior. These areas should be considered when choosing a starting point. Target the edges of the mudlines where fish will be migrating into the lake. The best baits for some nice brown and brook trout will be single hooks with bug patterns. The South Shore walleye bite remains a gamble so cover water with trolling patterns until you find active fish.
The St. Louis River is still a good choice for active catfish and a few other species responding to live bait. Expect a slowdown in river fishing for a while due to the increase in mud and debris. Under these conditions, use loud, rattling baits for the most success. Try trolling or casting ripping raps or lures with buckshot and something with the scent of live bait. Muskie angling has been popular on the river, but there have been few reports of catches.
Please note that oxygen levels and other variables are negatively affecting certain fish species, especially the larger fish due to high water temperatures. If you catch a large fish, it is very important to release it as quickly as possible. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
During the heat of the summer, there are several good ways to catch walleye. For many anglers, trolling crank baits at different depths can be the key to success. In the Grand Rapids area, target depths of 6-20 feet depending on weed cover, gravel or rock bottom. Line length will vary according to the dive plane, lip and lure design. Speed can also play an important part of trolling since it can affect the depth the baits run at, but only slightly. Line that is partially braided is a much better choice than monofilament when trolling crank baits since it has little or no stretch. Also, lures have a tendency to dive 10- to 15-percent deeper when attached to braided line. Number 5, 7, 8 and 9 shad raps are some of the most popular baits for trolling, especially at speeds of 1.75- to 3.0-mph. Northern pike are often a bonus fish when using these methods. Area lakes to consider for crank bait trolling include Big Winnie, Pokegama, Big Splithand, Trout and Wabana. Early morning and evening hours seem to be best for trolling. Cloudy days are also good times to fish the clearer water lakes. www.visitgrandrapids.com
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