Anglers report that while the walleye bite has slowed a bit, the bass and panfish bite has been excellent. Expect fishing for most species to heat up over the next few weeks as water temperatures drop.
The weekend forecast is nearly perfect, with sunny skies throughout the state and highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Happy fishing!
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
The bite on the south shore of Lake of the Woods remains consistent with lots of nice eating-size walleyes (under 19.5-inches) and trophy-size walleye (over 28-inches) being reported. Targeting walleye in 30-34 feet of water over the deep mud has been productive. Another option is to fish on or near the structure, especially where rock reefs emerge from the mud bottoms. Anglers are having success when drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers, and trolling crank baits. Ideal colors for spinners and crank baits have been hammered gold, chartreuse, yellow, orange and red/white.
Anglers are targeting a variety of fish on the Rainy River. While most walleye anglers fishing the main lake this time of year, nice walleye live in the river year round and the bite can be equally as strong. For the most action, hit the holes, current breaks, rock piles and weed edges. Northern pike anglers will want to concentrate on the weeds and current breaks. Smallmouth bass are extremely active with large numbers found throughout the river. The sturgeon “keep one” season continues through Sept. 30.
Up at the Northwest Angle, the border with Canada opened Aug. 9 to American travelers with a vaccination card and negative PCR COVID test less than 72 hours old. This means driving to the Northwest Angle is possible once again. Boating from the Angle into Canada is also allowed once again. Anglers are reporting great walleye fishing this week, and anglers who slid over the border to fish the Ontario side of the lake said fishing was spectacular! Much like the south end of the lake, the deep mud has been a key location, especially in Little Traverse Bay. The majority of walleye are being pulled from depths of 28-33 feet on spinners and crank baits.
The 30th Annual North American Sturgeon Championship(opens in new window) will be held Saturday, Aug. 21 in Birchdale. This tournament is open to the public, with adult and youth divisions. All are welcome!
Contact Baudette – Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce for more information.
BENA – LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
The walleye are scattered in 10-17 feet of water around the points, shoreline breaks, main lake humps and bars on Lake Winnibigoshish. Minnows and crank baits are working best, with a few northern pike mixed in. Perch action has slowed a bit slow but some nice fish are coming in on minnows worked at the 10-12 foot weed beds.
Contact Lake Winnie Area Resort Association for more information.
DETROIT LAKES AREA LAKES
Water temperatures in Detroit Lakes area lakes are holding in the mid-70s. Walleye continue to be caught out on the points and bars at the sharper breaks to deep water. Depths of 18-24 feet of water are holding small groups of fish. Rigging, jigging, jig raps and spinners have all produced well. Leeches are working as well but are hard to find. Smallmouth bass can be found deep and shallow, with most fish relating to hard bottom areas. Crappies are active on the deeper weed edges, especially when windswept. Largemouth bass are under the shallow docks and lifts, at the shoreline deadfall, rip-rap and outside edges of the weedlines. Lots of bluegills are coming from the weeds and deeper breaks in up to 22 feet of water. Smaller northern pike continue to relate to the weeds, however, the bigger pike are holding in the deeper, cooler waters. Please remember that launching and loading at numerous accesses has been challenging due to low water levels.
KABETOGAMA – LAKE KABETOGAMA
Walleye and jumbo perch fishing has been spectacular on Lake Kabetogama, and the picturesque setting enhances the experience. Leeches and nightcrawlers fished slowly on slip-sinker rigs are producing well at the edges of the lake’s numerous reefs. Most of the fish are coming from 20-23 foot depths. Anglers are taking quite a few bass along with the walleye and perch.
Contact the Kabetogama Lake Association for more information.
ELY AREA LAKES AND RIVERS
The majority of good walleye reports continue to come from 10-15 foot depths. Anglers are having success during evening hours when trolling spinner rigs out around the islands and sunken islands. Trolling deep-diving crank baits during evening hours has also been productive, especially on lakes with a strong cisco population.
The early morning topwater bite remains excellent for both smallmouth and largemouth bass on many area lakes. Whopper ploppers, pop-rs and torpedoes have been very effective for smallmouth bass action, but frogs tossed into the thick cover are best for largemouth bass. As the sun rises, throw in-line spinners, spinner baits and soft plastics for continued action.
Anglers report a great panfish bite, with sunnies and crappies coming from the weedlines and lily pads on jigs and twisters. If the bite slows, simply switching to jigs tipped with a piece of a crawler or wax worms. Crappie minnows have been even more effective for the crappies.
Contact the Ely Chamber of Commerce for more information.
COOK COUNTY: LUTSEN-TOFTE, GRAND MARAIS, GUNFLINT TRAIL & GRAND PORTAGE AREA WATERS
According to local charter captains, fishing on Lake Superior has slowed a bit but scattered salmon and lake trout are still being taken from very deep waters, especially between Taconite Harbor and Hovland. Trolling with downriggers and spoons have been the most productive.
On the inland lakes, smallmouth bass remain very active and lots of fun for anglers. Northern pike action has been good and seems to be improving. The walleye are less eager to bite, moving to deeper, colder waters. The best bet for walleye is to use a jig and leech in deeper waters during morning and evening hours. On Clearwater Lake, lots of smallmouth bass are quick to bite roughly 20 yards offshore. The bass are holding on the bottom, where jigs and worms are working well. Trout are being pulled from roughly 70 feet of water just offshore. They are also holding on the bottom and responding to jigs and worms.
Contact Visit Cook County for more information.
DULUTH – LAKE SUPERIOR, ST. LOUIS RIVER AND INLAND WATERS
On Lake Superior, the South Shore walleye bite continues to be very hit and miss, but worth the effort if you are chasing trophy-size fish. Off-shore planer boards with 7-11 inch stick baits should turn a fish or two in 25-40 feet of water. Anglers fishing near Two Harbors are taking a mixed bag of fish. Steelhead are being caught more often by anglers trolling the area. Trout and salmon action has been good for anglers using spoons, spinners and flasher-fly combinations.
The St. Louis River has been very quiet lately which is typical this time of year. Still, anglers report that muskie are turning more active early in the morning and late in the evening. Chucking baits at the channel edges near heavy vegetation should be best. Walleye are holding in their usual summer spots, but not always actively feeding. The bite will improve over the next few weeks. Crappies are starting to school off the deeper channel edges near structure. For the most fish, use a small 1/16-ounce jig or slip bobber with a crappie minnow. Smallmouth bass are still active in the fast-moving waters, responding to almost everything thrown their way.
Anglers reporting the most consistent bite are fishing the inland lakes. Panfish are eager to bite, especially just off swimming areas with sandy beaches. The largemouth bass are also relating to these areas, but can usually be found in the thicker weeds and under shady docks. For bass action, use simple spinner baits or chatter baits. Northern pike have been fun to catch on pike-sized suckers under large bobbers in 8-20 feet of water. Walleye remain tight-lipped, but can be found when dragging the mud basins during low light hours.
Contact Visit Duluth for more information.
GRAND RAPIDS
Walleye fishing has been good in lakes throughout the area. Anglers are having success trolling spinner rigs with nightcrawlers in 10-18 feet of water. Trolling at 1.0-1.7 mph has been the most effective. The edges of the humps, flats and points have all offered steady action. The outside edge of the weedlines has been especially productive, with a variety of fish being reported.
Panfish action has been the most consistent bite lately, with crappies and bluegills cooperating nicely on many area lakes. Anglers working depths of 8-12 feet with bobbers and live bait, or beetle spins with a plastic tail report lots of success. Covering water by casting plastics or trolling beetle spins is a great way to locate schools of fish.
Bass fishing has been exceptional. There are plenty of fish lingering in the shallows near the lily pads, bullrushes and cattails. Frogs and plastic worms have been the best offerings in less than 5 feet of water in these locations. There are also plenty of bass out on the deeper structure now that water temperatures are at their summer peak. A ned rig or a jig worm should yield lots of fun action, as well as some huge bass.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA
ALEXANDRIA AREA LAKES
Alexandria area lakes continue to produce multiple species of fish. Bass anglers are having a blast fishing ned rigs and other traditional bass presentations at the deep weedlines on most lakes. Spend some time to locate a school of fish, since once you catch one bass, more should follow.
Panfish are also roaming the deep weed edges, with good numbers coming in on jigs with small plastics fished slowly. Again, mobility is key to finding groups of fish.
Walleye anglers are catching fish on the deep structure and outside edges of the weedlines. For the most fish, move quickly with bottom bouncer presentations or crank baits.
Contact Explore Alexandria Tourism for more information.
GLENWOOD AREA LAKES
Walleye fishing remains decent on Glenwood area lakes. Spinners with worms and crank baits on lead core remain the most popular tactics for walleye in the basin areas. More walleye seem to be moving into the weeds, with anglers taking fish when using spinners or a jig tipped with a plastic. Some of the better area lakes for walleye include Reno, Waska and Mary.
Bass fishing has been on fire, especially on Lake Minnewaska. Most of the largemouth bass are schooled up on the deeper weedlines. Weedy areas that hold sunfish often harbor the larger schools of bass. Use a jig worm, drop shot or finesse jig in 16-18 feet of water for the most action. Other lakes to consider for largemouth bass are Reno, Pelican, Scandi and the Le Homme Dieu chain. Smallmouth bass are still biting as well, and most fish coming from the 4-8 feet of water at the shallow sand.
Panfish are also holding in the weeds and on the edges of the weeds, in depths of 12-17 feet. Most of the sunfish are in schools and easy to catch once located. Crappies have been a little more spread out so slowly trolling a small plastic or small crankbait has been helpful to locate the crappies. The evening hours have been best for crappie action.
Contact Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce for more information.
BRAINERD AREA LAKES
Walleye action in the Brainerd lakes area has been a bit slow, but the bass and northern pike bite has been excellent. Crappie anglers are also reporting a great bite. For the slabs, hit the edges of the cabbage weeds.
Contact Visit Brainerd 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.
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