Summer patterns are fully established for most species due to historically high June temperatures. Despite the heat, walleye, bass and panfish remain active. The deep weedlines have been very productive, and live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers have been effective for a variety of fish.
Before dropping a line, brush up on Minnesota’s rules, regulations and other helpful information for fishing.
BAUDETTE – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
Walleye are being caught by anglers jigging, drifting spinners and trolling crank baits on the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Most walleye are coming from depths of 25-33 feet, but they are starting to scatter across the big mud basins. If you find a school of fish, anchor and jig with a frozen shiner for some fast action. Gold, orange and chartreuse have been the most effective colors this week. Drifting crawler harnesses and trolling crank baits have also been productive. When trolling, get your presentation down in the water column where the walleye are holding. To do so, use lead core line, downriggers or a 4 ounce bottom bouncer with a 6 foot leader and shallow-diving crank bait. All three methods should deliver results.
Anglers are taking a mixed bag of fish when jigging, pulling spinners and trolling crank baits on the Rainy River. The current breaks and holes are good places to start. While the lake holds more walleye, the river is a great fallback area in summer for those with smaller boats and on windy days. Smallmouth bass are plentiful, and eager to bite in rocky areas, and at the current breaks, bridge embankments and weed edges. Northern pike anglers will enjoy lots of action at the river mouths, in the bays and around the current breaks. Sturgeon anglers will want to mark their calendars for the July 1 sturgeon season opener.
Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing remains strong on the rocks, over the mud and in neck-down areas between islands. A variety of techniques are working well, including drifting spinners and crawlers over the deep mud. Various bug hatches occur throughout the summer, and much of the larvae that walleye feed on come from the mud. Lots of northern pike are hanging out in the weedy bays. For smallmouth bass, hit the rocky points and reefs.
The border with Canada remains closed but anglers can reach the Angle through the LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle services from the south, and float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.
Contact Baudette – Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce for more information.
FARGO/MOORHEAD – RED RIVER
The catfish have just about completed their spawn in the Red River, and anglers are catching some nice post-spawn fish. For the most fish, locate areas with current and work the current seams. Also check the snags and cut banks where fish may still be near their nests. Don’t be afraid to look shallow, with depths of 1-2 feet giving up catfish. Ideal baits remain suckers and goldeyes — fresh cut and even frozen are producing well. Anglers need to use caution on the Red River due to low current levels, especially below the dams.
Contact the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.
BEMIDJI
The walleye bite has slowed a bit due to extreme temperatures swings, as well as another mayfly hatch on some area lakes. Still, anglers are taking fish from the sharp breaks and weed edges in 12-16 feet of water, and also off the deeper humps and bars in 18-24 feet of water. Jigs with rainbows or leeches and live bait rigs with crawlers or leeches are working best. Area lakes to check out include Bemidji, Plantagenet and Gull. Northern pike are still very active along the weed edges, and bass continue to be pulled from the inside and outside edges of the weedlines where plastics have been the most effective. The majority of crappies have move to the deeper cabbage areas, and bluegills are now making their transition to the similar locations.
WALKER – LEECH LAKE
The walleye bite is improving on Leech Lake as summer patterns take hold. Numerous presentations are turning fish, including jigs tipped with plastics or minnows, jig-raps, lindy rigs, bobber fishing and trolling. One guide has had the most success using lindy rigs with leeches or crawlers along the weedlines in 12-16 feet of water. The key is to first locate active fish.
Crappies and sunnies are relating to the deep weeds off the first break. Small jigs and plastics are working best in the cabbage.
Largemouth bass are holding close to the weedlines during the day, and moving up into the lily pads at low light. Presentations worked through the weeds have been the most effective. Smallmouth bass are still holding near the rock structure. For the best smallie action, use topwater lures over the rocky areas during low light hours.
Muskie fishing is beginning to heat up and should continually improve. For trophy-size fish, try trolling at the reeds.
Contact the Leech Lake Area Tourism Bureau for more information.
DETROIT LAKES
Water temperatures in the Detroit Lakes area dropped from the high 70s to roughly 70 degrees following the recent cold front. Current hot temperatures, however, should cause water temperatures to rise into the low to mid-70 degree range by the end of this week. Summer patterns are now fully established for all species. Walleye are holding at the breaks on the extending points and bars. Fish have also transitioned to the mid-lake structure. Crappies and bluegills are at the weeds on the shoreline breaks that drop fast to deeper water. Lots of small northern pike remain shallow, but the larger pike can now be found in deeper water. Largemouth bass are coming from the docks, shallow structure and weed edges. For smallmouth bass, hit the hard bottom areas in deeper water.
OTTER TAIL AREA LAKES
The deep weedlines are the place to be in Otter Tail Lakes Country! Bass fishing is especially good at the deeper weeds, with bass pounding senko worms, chatter baits, jigs, jig-worms and square-bill crank baits in 12-15 feet of water. Crappies are active in the same areas. Anglers will want to troll a small plastic minnow bait or tube jig at roughly 1 mph to locate schools of crappies. Once found, switch to casting. Walleye can also be found at the deep weed edges, along with the points, humps and inside turns.
Contact Otter Tail Lakes Country Association for more information.
ALEXANDRIA AREA LAKES
Walleye fishing has picked up in the Alexandria Lakes area. Several lakes are giving up fish just outside the weed edges in 18-25 feet of water, especially during morning and evening hours. Nightcrawlers on live bait rigs with bottom bouncers have been the most productive.
Bass and panfish action remains spectacular throughout the area. For bass, crappies and bluegills, hit the deep weedlines in 15–25 feet of water. Bass are responding best to crank baits, and a variety of soft plastics are working well for both bass and panfish. Check out the video(opens in new window)!
Contact Explore Alexandria Tourism for more information.
BRAINERD AREA LAKES
Fishing is on fire in the Brainerd Lakes Area! Walleye anglers are having lots of success on Gull, Alexander, Pelican, North Long, Round and just about every smaller lake where walleye are stocked. Leeches under bobbers, snap-jigging plastics, and crawler harnesses are all working well. If you can find cabbage weeds, you should find walleye.
Northern pike are attacking big musky jerk baits and spinner baits trolled on the weedlines. Bass, bluegills and crappies are in full summer patterns, but the crappies are most willing to bite during low light hours.
Contact Visit Brainerd for more information.
ISLE/ONAMIA – LAKE MILLE LACS
Walleye fishing remains very good on Lake Mille Lacs. Anglers are having success using crawlers and leeches, especially on the mud flats. Crawlers are working best on slow death rigs, spinners, and a plain hook with a lindy rig. Leeches are turning fish when rigged or under slip bobbers. The best action for launch boat guests has been during the 6-10 p.m. launch trips. Smallmouth bass are being caught by anglers using in a nightcrawler in 8-30 foot depths. Some northern pike are coming from depths of 7-13 feet in the bays.
Walleye anglers on Mille Lacs Lake are reminded that a two-week walleye fishing closure — implemented to reduce hooking mortality, which is the percentage of fish that die after being caught and released — will be in place from Thursday, July 1, through Thursday, July 15. Currently, anglers can catch and release walleye on Mille Lacs Lake in a catch-and-release season that lasts through Wednesday, June 30. Learn more about fishing regulations on Lake Mille Lacs(opens in new window). And check out the the Mille Lacs Web Cam webpage(opens in new window) for current conditions.
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