Minnesota WEEKLY #FISHING UPDATE – JULY 21, 2022

Water temps in the Detroit Lakes area are in the mid-to-high 70-degree range consistently now. Some walleyes are still relating to weeds, but most are in small groups out in deeper water off extending points and mid-lake structure. All tactics are working to catch fish. Crappies are relating to deep cabbage edges or are suspended off sharper breaks to deep water. Sunfish seem to be everywhere, and a piece of crawler, small leech or plastics will get lots of bites. Bass are relating to weeds, docks and shallow structural elements. Jigs and minnows/plastics, spinner baits or lipless cranks have been producing fish. Northern are on weed edges or in deeper water off shoreline breaks.

Summer walleye fishing remains very good across Lake of the Woods. Various schools of walleyes are following different forage patterns, offering anglers numerous opportunities. A good bite for eater walleyes in 10-15 feet just off Pine Island and other areas along the south shore. Some are using spinners with crawlers to catch these fish but trolling crankbaits to cover water is also producing. Some are still jigging, which is still effective despite it being mid-July. Others are leaning on more traditional techniques of spinners with a crawler or trolling crankbaits to catch their fish, which can be especially effective when fish are spread out.

Deep mud this time of year is holding good numbers of fish. If you find the general area they are living in and get your baits in front of them, normally good things happen.

Some of the reefs in Big Traverse Bay are holding nice numbers of walleyes. Bobber fishing or jigging the top of the reefs or pulling spinners on the reef or on the transition where the rock meets the mud is producing good fish.

In addition to walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch pike, smallmouth bass and even an occasional muskie, crappie or sturgeon are being caught on the basin.

Good summer fishing continues in the Rainy River this summer. Areas out of the current have been the go-to spots this year. A nice mixed bag in the river includes walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass and pike. There are good numbers of shiners in the river, too, and sturgeon anglers are showing off some big fish. Anglers can catch and release fish throughout the summer or keep one sturgeon if a tag is purchased.

Fishing on both sides of the border up at the NW Angle has been excellent. Most anglers are using jigging and pulling spinners to catch their walleyes. As water temps warm, some fish are utilizing structure (underwater points, sunken islands, etc.) and others are gravitating to mud flats. Jig where there are tighter concentrations of fish; pull spinners when fish are more spread out. Muskie anglers are catching and releasing a good number, with some 50-inch-plus fish in the mix.

Fishing remains consistent in the early morning and evening hours of the day on the west side of Leech Lake. Three simple tactics used daily for walleyes are slip bobbers, lindy rigs and pitching jigs tipped with leeches or crawlers. Key areas of focus right now include North Walker Bay, Steamboat Bay, Kakebona Bay and Agency Bay. Targeting deep weed edges and break lines during the middle of the day brings increased opportunities to get bit.

Muskies have started to show up in their summer homes on shallow structure. There are still plenty of fish transitions from the deep water, but more and more are showing up every day. The fishing should really start to heat up in the next week or two. As of now, bucktails are getting the most attention from the active shallow fish.

The water temps are finally in the mid 70s and the walleyes have responded with increased feeding activity. Leeches on a spinner and chartreuse leeches have produced good results. We expect to be all cranks by the end of the week, though, with scatter raps in either crayfish or perch colors.