Walking back from the DQ in Glenwood I enjoyed the sun setting.
Walleye action remains very good in many areas of the state. Anglers are taking nice numbers of walleye from the outside edge of the thick weed beds in 10-30 feet of water. Spinner rigs and live bait rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers are turning the majority of fish. Lots of bass, panfish, northern pike and muskie are also being reported.
Water temperatures are at or near peak summer highs so oxygen levels are reduced and fish are much more vulnerable. Please come prepared with the right equipment to quickly unhook fish and return them to the water as soon as possible.
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
Ely
Several groups of anglers took limits of nice-size walleye while trolling crank baits this week. Trolling crank baits that dive down 15-30 feet of water over the large flats has been best, especially during evening hours. Other anglers are catching walleye when using spinner rigs tipped with crawlers or minnows around the sunken islands in 15-25 feet of water. The walleye are on the move, so anglers may need to stay mobile to keep up with the fish.
Topwater fishing remains excellent for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Whopper ploppers have been the most effective for smallmouth bass, while frogs have been best for largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass remain shallow early and late in the day, coming from 5-10 feet of water at the large rocky flats and around downed timber. Largemouth bass continue to come from the thick weed beds, lily pads and wild rice beds. Frogs fished over these areas early and late in the day can lead to some excellent fishing.
Crappie anglers are finding fish suspended out over deep water, roughly 15-20 feet below the surface. Good electronics are key to finding these scattered and suspended fish. Crappie minnows under a bobber have been very effective. Sunfish continue to be found in the weed beds and on the weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a wax worm or small angle worm have been productive.
Several large northern pike were recently reported, likely due to water temperatures cooling to more comfortable levels. Large spoons, buzz baits and spinner baits have been very effective for covering water and catching pike. Anglers should focus on the weedlines and areas with current due to incoming and outgoing water.
Lake trout fishing has improved, with anglers catching lake trout 20-30 feet down over deep water. Blood-colored crank baits fished behind planner boards have been the most effective. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth – Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
Lake Superior has been busy with anglers. The lake trout bite has been the highlight, with anglers doing well when trolling flasher flies tipped with live bait. Many anglers are having success along the North Shore all the way up to Grand Marais. Some walleye action is being reported when trolling deep-diving crank baits or heavy bottom-bouncers with nightcrawlers in depths of 30-50 feet. Anglers should concentrate their efforts in and around the river mouths. The tributaries are heating up with good reports of brook trout and an occasional brown trout being taken. Swinging flies and casting hardware in the form of small beetle spinners have been good tactics.
On the St. Louis River, muskie anglers are finding some fish. As overnight temperatures continue to decrease, the muskie bite and the walleye bite will start to pick up. For walleye, anglers should concentrate efforts in the lower sections of the river as fish start to trickle in from Lake Superior in the coming weeks. Another great opportunity, often overlooked this time of year, is the sturgeon bite. Anglers should set up near deep current cuts and toss out a wad of crawlers and a bell sinker. It may take a while, but who doesn’t enjoy tangling with a huge fish that resembles a shark. Please remember that these fish can be very old, so handle them carefully.
The inland waters continue to offer a decent troll bite for walleye, as well as an occasional northern pike or bass. Anglers will want to work the deep, vegetated areas in 10-30 feet of water, especially at first and last light. The sunken islands and mid-lake reefs are also holding fish. Leeches under slip bobbers, and drift-jigging live bait are good tactics when kept towards the bottom. Panfish are eager to bite in and around the pencil reeds, cabbage and dock structures. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
As of late last week, good numbers of walleye, northern pike, bass, panfish and muskie were being pulled from Grand Rapids area lakes.
Walleye action was very good throughout the area. Spinner rigs with crawlers or leeches were the most effective, especially when trolled at 1.2- to 1.5-mph through 14-22 feet of water at the outside edge of the weed beds.
Bass and panfish were active on the deeper weed edges in 10-16 feet of water. Small spinners, twister tails on a jig head, and leeches under a bobber produced lots of quality bluegills and crappies. Bass were coming from similar areas on jigs tipped with worms, and Texas-rigged worms. Good numbers of panfish were pulled from the weedlines on Lake Pokegama. Lake trout fishing was also strong on Lake Pokegama. For the most trout, run lead core or downriggers at the thermocline which has been showing up at 50-55 feet. When not using lead core or downriggers, use a deep-running crank bait with a split shot about 4 feet in front to weigh it down further.
Muskie and northern pike were also cooperating last week, especially at the deep weed edges, rock points and mid-lake humps in 10-16 feet of water. Topwater lures, bucktails and rubber baits were the most consistent producers. While fish were taken throughout the day, morning and evening hours were best. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The larger walleye are holding at the deep mud in 30-34 feet of water on the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers or leeches at 1.0- to 1.25-mph has been best. The most productive colors have been hammered gold, hammered silver and glow white. Another technique that is working well for walleye anglers is trolling crank baits over the deep mud. Some walleye continue to be pulled from the shallows where forage opportunities are good.
On the Rainy River, most walleye are scattered on the flats and in the deeper holes where trolled crank baits are working well. Sturgeon can be found in the deep holes throughout the river. Smallmouth bass and northern pike are active around the current breaks, rocky areas and weed edges.
Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing remains very good north of Garden Island, around Little Oak Island and in areas with deeper mud, north and east of Little Oak Island. Anglers having the most success are using spinners with a crawler or trolling crank baits. Northern pike and muskie can be found in the deep bays and near the rocky points. Smallmouth bass are active in 4-14 feet of water at the rocky areas, reacting well to crank baits.
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
Some area lakes have developed an algae bloom which is typical this time of the year. The lack of clarity has actually helped the walleye bite a bit, with fish found in 8-12 feet of water on these lakes. Larger Colorado blades and spinners with crawlers or leeches are turning some fish. Larger chub minnows and live bait rigs are working in the deeper waters off the mid-lake structure. Lakes to consider include Bemidji, Grace, Plantagenet and Andrusia.
Bass fishing remains excellent throughout the area. For the most bass action, hit the thick weeds and pads, as well as the deep water weed edges. Crappies are also in the deep water cabbage, along with some large bluegills. Please remember to practice selective harvesting to maintain the health of the fisheries. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
Park Rapids
Panfish anglers are having a blast throughout the Park Rapids area. The largest sunfish are coming from 15-25 feet of water in areas where walleye roam. The sunken islands near shore that top off in depths of 15-25 feet have been best. If the islands are shallower and weeds are growing on top, look for crappies nearby. For the most panfish, drop a 1/16-ounce jig tipped with a small leech or a 2-inch berkley gulp twister tail and let it sink slowly to the bottom. A fish will probably grab it before it hits bottom since most are holding either at the bottom or up to 4 feet off the bottom. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
The summer of 2020 has been exceptionally warm, and the warm water temperatures have made fishing a bit more difficult. That said, summer patterns are holding strong, so if you found a good pattern a few weeks ago, chances are good that the pattern remains the same. This holds true for many species including crappies, sunnies, walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass. Northern pike, however, have turned tight-lipped. As water temperatures drop, the bite should heat up. For now, concentrate on the weeds. For some species, you’ll want to fish right in the weeds, but for others, you’ll want to work the edges. When fishing directly in the weeds, use a vertical approach with or without a bobber. Also try skimming the tops of the weeds by casting and retrieving at a moderate to fast speed, or troll the tops with spinners and other flashy baits using a long-line approach. The perfect trolling speed is dependent on weed height, water depth and the weight of the lure — fine tune your presentation until you’re catching more fish than weeds. If fishing the shallow or deep weed edges, speed, lure weight and size are more flexible. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Brainerd Area Lakes
Walleye fishing remains great throughout the area. The weedlines are the best bet to find active daytime fish. For the most fish, use rattling crank baits or pull big blades with crawlers through 10-18 feet of water. An awesome night trolling bite is also taking place, especially on Gull and North Long lakes. Fishing just off the outside edge of the weeds with a stick bait that dives 4- to 8-feet deep has been best.
The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has been excellent. Look for fish in depths of 14-20 feet using a drop shot with a 4- to 5-inch worm hooked wacky style. Deep-running crank baits have been picking up a few fish in the smaller lakes. Also consider a natural-colored jig with a plastic beaver tail in a matching color.
Northern pike remain fairly deep, responding to slowly-rolled big spoons worked at 1.5- to 2.5-mph, as well as deep-diving muskie baits trolled at 3.5- to 4-mph. Some days a big sucker minnow on a live bait rig will also turn fish. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
Walleye fishing and live bait are once again allowed on Lake Mille Lacs, drawing lots of anglers out onto the lake. Walleye fishing has been spectacular, with live bait under a bobber working extremely well. Lindy rigging at the rocky reef points has also been effective. The deep gravel bite will remain best for quite some time so concentrate on 25-32 feet of water in these areas. If you don’t catch a fish every 15-20 minutes, move on — as little as 150 yards will often trigger a few more bites. Anglers are reporting lots of good smallmouth bass and perch action as well.
Please remember that when water is this warm, anglers must handle fish carefully. Try to hook the fish quickly, then bring them up slowly. The less handling, the better. Check out current lake conditions at the Mille Lacs Lake Webcams web page. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Willmar
As of late last week, anglers were taking good numbers of walleye from the outside edges of the weed beds in roughly 12-30 feet of water. Spinner rigs and live bait rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers were turning the most walleye. Lots of bass, panfish and northern pike were also being taken by anglers working the deeper weed edges. Productive lakes included Eagle, Calhoun, Willmar, Big Kandiyohi, Green and Norway.
Please remember that water temperatures are at or near peak summer highs so oxygen levels are reduced and fish are much more vulnerable. Come prepared with the right equipment to quickly unhook and return fish to the water. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
If you’d like to rent a boat to fish Twin Cities area waters, check out the many boat rental options found on the Explore Minnesota boating web page!
Stillwater – St. Croix River
During late July and early August, mid-summer fishing conditions prevail on the St. Croix River. Anglers will need to cover a lot of water to find active fish. Once found, expect to take a couple keepers from each spot. Lots of fish are being marked, but they are less willing to bite as they were during late spring and early summer periods.
For the most walleye, use rapalas, live bait rigs, jigging raps or spinners in depths of 9-22 feet, and sometimes deeper. Smallmouth bass action has been good for anglers using senkos, tubes and finesse worms. Pods of white bass are being located, with spinners and twister tails turning the most fish. Other species being reported include sauger, crappies and catfish. And crawler fishing is a fun way to catch many species including gar, drum, perch and sunfish. 651-351-1717; www.discoverstillwater.com
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