Water temperatures remain high, causing most species of fish to seek deeper, cooler waters. Live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers have been key to catching a variety of fish, especially at the deeper weed edges.
This weekend will be very comfortable, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s to mid-80s — a great time to hit the water!
Before dropping a line, brush up on Minnesota’s rules, regulations and other helpful information for fishing.
OTTER TAIL AREA LAKES
Panfish are active in and around the weeds, responding to tiny jigs tipped with a twister tail or paddle tail trolled at 1.5 to 2 mph. A slip bobber and leech is great when casting into pods of fish.
Bass are stacked in shaded areas such as docks, boats and swim platforms, as well as at the deep weedlines. For the most bass action, use jigs, swim baits and Carolina rigs
Northern pike can be found in the weeds. Anglers are having lots of fun using crank baits, spinner baits, and jig and sucker minnow combinations.
Walleye are coming from deep and shallow waters. Spinners, crank baits and plastics are great ways to cover water and nab active fish. Play with your speed on the water since this can be a major factor in how successful you are.
Contact Otter Tail Lakes Country Association for more information.
ALEXANDRIA AREA LAKES
Bass anglers report consistent action on many area lakes. Most of the fish are coming from the deep weedlines on a variety of presentations including jigs, jig-worms, and crank baits.
Walleye can still be found at the outside edge of the weeds and at the deeper structure such as sunken humps and islands. Nightcrawlers are working well, but some anglers are also having success when trolling crank baits on lead core line.
Panfish remain active at the weedlines. For the most action, use a small plastic bait.
Contact Explore Alexandria Tourism for more information.
ISLE/ONAMIA – LAKE MILLE LACS
Learn 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.
Contact the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council for more information.
WILLMAR
Anglers in the Willmar Lakes Area will want to check Fishing Friday at Sibley State Park(opens in new window) on Aug. 6. A naturalist will provide tips, information on fish identification, and explain how climate change is affecting fish in Minnesota. Fishing kits, complete with a pole and tackle box, will be provided. Call ahead to reserve your kit. 320-354-2055
BAUDETTE – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
On the south end of Lake of the Woods, walleye anglers continue to take fish from shallow and deep waters. Many of the shallow walleye are feeding on crayfish and schools of baitfish. The deeper fish are dining on baitfish, mayfly larvae, blood worms, tullibees and more. Most anglers are targeting walleye in 30-34 feet of water over the deep mud. The scattered reefs hold fish as well. In these areas, hammered gold, orange and red/white spinners with crawlers have been very effective. Trolling crank baits should also work well as it puts your lure in front of a lot of fish, often getting a “reaction” bite when fish aren’t actively feeding.
On the Rainy River, anglers are catching a mixed bag of walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass, northern pike and sturgeon. When targeting walleye, pull spinners or troll crank baits at the holes, current breaks, rock piles and weed edges. The sturgeon “keep one” season remains open through Sept. 30.
Up at the Northwest Angle, lots of walleye are being caught over the mud and around the structure, with a few pulled from the shallow rocks. Most anglers are having success drifting spinners and crawlers or trolling crank baits over the deep mud. Jigging with minnows or leeches can also be effective. For northern pike action, hit the weedy bays using crank baits or bucktails.
The border with Canada will open Aug. 9, 2021 to Americans who have a vaccination card combined with a negative COVID PCR (molecular) test less than 72 hours old. Learn more at Border Opening in Time for a Late Summer/Fall Northwest Angle Getaway(opens in new window)!
Contact Baudette – Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce for more information.
FARGO/MOORHEAD – RED RIVER
Low water levels on the Red River remain an issue and it doesn’t look like they will improve anytime soon. Most catfish anglers with normal-size boats are now limited to fishing areas above the dams with deeper pools. Anglers fishing for smaller watercraft, as well as from shore, may do well below the dams if they locate pinch points with current. If you find current, you will find fish. Be sure to fish the back of the holes right at the rise. The best bait seems to be dead suckers packed on ice. Catfish anglers will want to check out the Cats Incredible Fishing Tournament in East Grand Forks, July 30 and 31.
Contact the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.
BEMIDJI AREA LAKES
Walleye fishing remains quite good on Bemidji, Plantagenet and Andrusia lakes. Live bait rigs and crawlers are working well at the deep weed edges and sharper breaks in 12-18 feet of water. Some nice perch are also coming from these areas on jigs and minnows. Bass fishing remains excellent for those using plastics at the deeper weed edges. Throwing spinner baits across the top of the grass will also produce fish. The best crappie and bluegill action remains off the deeper cabbage. Learn more at Brady Laudon’s Bemidji area fishing video(opens in new window).
Contact Visit Bemidji for more information.
BENA – LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
As of late last week, crank baits were turning walleye during evening hours on many of the bars on Lake Winnibigoshish. Some of the better locations were Horseshoe, Moses, and Rock Fence in 12-18 feet of water. Walleye anglers also had success at the west end points and shoreline breaks in 10-12 feet of water. During the day, walleye were found by anglers using live bait in depths of 18-25 feet at the bars. Some large perch were pulled from the 12-20 foot weeds on the west side points and the mouth of Third River. Northern pike were an easy catch at the 12-14 foot shoreline breaks.
Contact Lake Winnie Area Resort Association for more information.
WALKER – LEECH LAKE
Walleye fishing remains inconsistent on Leech Lake, primarily due to hot temperatures and little wind. Northwest winds are in the forecast so anglers will want to concentrate on the wind-blown points on upcoming windy days. For the most walleye, hit depths of 13-22 feet using lindy rigs with crawlers, leeches or minnows.
Panfish anglers are having the most success during low light hours late in the day. Small plastics slowly trolled seem to be the most effective.
Largemouth bass are coming from the lily pads on jigs tipped with a plastic trailer and frogs. Wacky rigs worked off the weed edges should also produce fish.
Muskie anglers are catching fish when casting towards the shallow rocks, sand and weeds. The key is persistence.
Contact the Leech Lake Area Tourism Bureau for more information.
DETROIT LAKES
Water temperatures in Detroit Lakes area lakes range from the high 70s early in the morning to the low 80s late in the afternoon. Water levels are extremely low so launching and loading has been difficult at many of the accesses. Anglers will want to use caution at these access points.
Walleye remain in deeper waters (19-26 feet) in clear water lakes, with some fish also found at the weeds in 9-13 feet of water. In lakes with stained waters, walleye are holding at the outside weed edges in depths of 9-15 feet. Rigging with minnows, leeches or crawlers, jigging with minnows, plastics and leeches, pulling spinners, and jigging/ripping raps are taking fish.
Bass are active along the deep weed edges and off the shallow docks. Smallmouth bass are holding in deep areas with hard bottoms, and in the shallows close to weeds, rock, gravel or hard sand
Large northern pike are hitting large sucker minnows in deeper waters. Crappies are active in depths of 8-15 feet of water, as well as at the cabbage and sharp drop-offs to deep water. The bluegills seem to be eager to bite everywhere!
OTTER TAIL AREA LAKES
Panfish are active in and around the weeds, responding to tiny jigs tipped with a twister tail or paddle tail trolled at 1.5 to 2 mph. A slip bobber and leech is great when casting into pods of fish.
Bass are stacked in shaded areas such as docks, boats and swim platforms, as well as at the deep weedlines. For the most bass action, use jigs, swim baits and Carolina rigs
Northern pike can be found in the weeds. Anglers are having lots of fun using crank baits, spinner baits, and jig and sucker minnow combinations.
Walleye are coming from deep and shallow waters. Spinners, crank baits and plastics are great ways to cover water and nab active fish. Play with your speed on the water since this can be a major factor in how successful you are.
Contact Otter Tail Lakes Country Association for more information.
ALEXANDRIA AREA LAKES
Bass anglers report consistent action on many area lakes. Most of the fish are coming from the deep weedlines on a variety of presentations including jigs, jig-worms, and crank baits.
Walleye can still be found at the outside edge of the weeds and at the deeper structure such as sunken humps and islands. Nightcrawlers are working well, but some anglers are also having success when trolling crank baits on lead core line.
Panfish remain active at the weedlines. For the most action, use a small plastic bait.
Contact Explore Alexandria Tourism for more information.
ISLE/ONAMIA – LAKE MILLE LACS
Learn 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.
Contact the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council for more information.
WILLMAR
Anglers in the Willmar Lakes Area will want to check Fishing Friday at Sibley State Park(opens in new window) on Aug. 6. A naturalist will provide tips, information on fish identification, and explain how climate change is affecting fish in Minnesota. Fishing kits, complete with a pole and tackle box, will be provided. Call ahead to reserve your kit. 320-354-2055
Contact the Willmar Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.
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