Anglers report lots of bass, panfish and northern pike action. While the bite isn’t as strong, walleye are also being taken. As water temperatures continue to drop, the walleye bite will heat up. Please note that boat launching has become difficult in some areas of the state due to low water levels, especially for those with larger boats.
Happy fishing!
FISHING CONDITIONS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
BAUDETTE – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
Walleye fishing remains good on the south end of Lake of the Woods, but it helps to remain mobile since fish seem to move each day. Good action has been reported in 25-29 feet of water in front of Pine Island. When the south wind blows, the Zippel Bay and Graceton Beach areas have been productive for those fishing depths of 17-21 feet of water. And there are still large numbers of walleye in depths of 28-24 feet at the deep mud. The reefs continue to hold some fish as well, with walleye found on the tops and sides of the reefs related to deep mud. Drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers, and trolling crank baits have been the most productive techniques. Recommended colors are hammered gold, glow white, glow red, yellow, orange and red/white.
Anglers continue to take a mixed bag of walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass and sturgeon from the Rainy River. Spinners with crawlers and trolled crank baits are a good way to locate walleye, especially in the deep holes. Once located, switch to jigging. Bass and northern pike are holding on the structure, under the docks and at the weed edges. The sturgeon “keep one” season continues through Sept. 30 when the season becomes catch-and-release until April 23, 2022.
Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing has been spectacular in depths of 28-33 feet at the deep mud in Little Traverse Bay. Spinners and crank baits have been very effective to cover water and catch these fish as there are various pods scattered in areas with deep mud. Areas of structure, such as underwater points and sunken islands, are also holding walleye. Northern pike and muskie anglers are finding fish on the weedy points when using jerk baits and topwater lures. Anglers may travel by vehicle through Canada to the Angle, and boating into Canadian waters is also allowed.
Contact Baudette – Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce for more information.
FARGO-MOORHEAD – RED RIVER
Last weekend’s rainfall brought Red River water levels and current flows up a bit. Catfish have responded to the slight increase very positively. Locate areas with current and you should catch fish. Most remain lined up on the inside shelves of the riverbanks. If you catch one, stay put as another catfish may come along. While most catfish baits will work, frogs and frozen suckers have been the best producers.
Contact the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.
BEMIDJI
Fishing pressure has been light recently, mostly due to windy days and low water levels. Anglers with a bunk trailer that requires the boat to float off it into the water may have a problem at some of the lake accesses. The walleye bite has been a bit tough, but persistent anglers are taking fish from depths of 18-24 feet of water, especially on Bemidji and Plantagenet lakes. Bass fishing remains excellent for those using plastics along the deeper weed edges. For crappie and bluegill action, hit the deeper edges off the cabbage. Learn more at the Bemidji area lakes fishing video(opens in new window).
Contact Visit Bemidji for more information.
BENA – LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Walleye continue to cooperate on Like Winnibigoshish, hitting spinners with crawlers and jig and minnow combinations on the points and shoreline breaks in 8 to 15 feet of water. Crank baits are also turning walleye during low light periods on top of the bars in 12 to 15 feet of water. If you locate weeds in less than 14 feet of water, you should find plenty of northern pike. For lots of perch, use minnows off the points in depths of 10-14 feet.
Contact Lake Winnie Area Resort Association for more information.
DETROIT LAKES AREA LAKES
Water temperatures have climbed back up to mid- to high 70s but they should start dropping with shorter daylight hours and more seasonable weather. Most walleye remain on the bars, at the points and in mid-lake areas in 18-26 feet of water. Crappies have slid off the edges to the sharp breaks next to weeds, especially cabbage weeds. Bass are in the shallows under the docks, along the shoreline structure and at the outside weed edges. Northern pike are active throughout area lakes, hitting big minnows, spinner baits and crank baits. Muskie action should heat up in the next couple of weeks as lakes start to cool.
Please note that some boat accesses are now too shallow for launching and loading boats. Low water levels pose some difficulty for larger boats at the majority of accesses.
ALEXANDRIA AREA LAKES
Anglers report consistent bass, northern pike, and panfish action at the deep weedlines on the Alexandria area lakes. Bass are responding best to jig n’ pig combinations and Texas rigs. Early and late in the day, use topwater lures. Northern pike are slamming crank baits and spinner baits. Small plastics on jigs remain the best bet for crappies and sunnies. With cooler days ahead, look for the walleye bite to heat up.
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.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AREA
THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT
Plan ahead for a fun Family Fishing program(opens in new window) on Tuesday evening, Aug. 31, at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park in Brooklyn Park. Families will learn and practice river fishing techniques, and discover what species of fish live in the upper Mississippi. Equipment, bait and license provided during the program only. Reservations are required.
Contact the Three Rivers Park District for more information.
STILLWATER – ST. CROIX & MISSISSIPPI RIVERS
Walleye and smallmouth bass remain very active on the St. Croix River, even in the afternoons on sunny days. For some drum action is also being reported. To the south, at Pool 4 of the Mississippi River, anglers are catching white bass using shad raps in 1-6 feet of water.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS – RAINY LAKE & THE RAINY RIVER
One of Voyageurs National Park’s interior lakes supports a native lake trout population. With warming summers threatening populations, learn about the collaborative efforts to sustain these coldwater fish at Strengthening Our Interior Lakes(opens in new window).
Contact the International Falls, Rainy Lake and Ranier CVB for more information.
KABETOGAMA – LAKE KABETOGAMA
Lake Kabetogama provided consistent morning and evening action for most species last week. Most fish were pulled from relatively shallow waters. Walleye took the majority of fish on jigs and live bait rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers. Slip bobbers also produced at times. The weedlines in less than 10 feet of water were key locations. Smallmouth bass action remained strong, with fish measuring over 20-inches reported. The shallow weedlines held lots of fish, but the larger smallies were pulled from the rock piles. During low light hours, target the rocks in 6-9 foot depths. During the day, try topwater lures or a jig and leech in depths of 12-15 feet.
Contact the Kabetogama Lake Association for more information.
DULUTH – LAKE SUPERIOR, ST. LOUIS RIVER AND INLAND WATERS
Fishing on Lake Superior remains similar to last week, with flasher/fly combinations tipped with the head of a smelt still producing well. Anglers are also having success with spoons in a variety of colors. Trolling depths, however, have changed. Fish are now showing up in shallower waters of 50-100 feet, especially right outside the entries. Lake trout, coho salmon and the occasional king salmon (chinook) continue to be caught, along with a few pink salmon. The south shore walleye bite has been inconsistent, but a few are being caught by anglers trolling in 30-40 feet of water. The biggest challenge is locating walleye so trust your electronics and side scan imagery. Stream fishing has slowed but fishing will heat up in September and October.
Fishing on the St. Louis river remains slow, but anglers are taking fish. The best approach is to troll mid-range crank baits off the channel edges. The lower sections of the river are giving up a few northern pike, perch and walleye, as well as an occasional muskie. Muskie action should really heat up over the next few weeks.
Inland waters continue to offer the best fishing. Anglers are catching many nice fish when pulling crank baits over the basins of the back bays. The reservoirs north of Duluth all the way to Lake Vermillion are especially good for perch, walleye and northern pike. Long-lining has been more productive then pulling boards. Jigs are producing a few fish as well. As overnight temperatures continue to drop, jigs will be hard to beat.
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