WEEKLY FISHING UPDATE – JULY 28, 2022
Bass action has been excellent throughout the state! Anglers are enjoying a great bite when using plastics and spinnerbaits at the structure near shore and along the deep weedlines. Smallmouth bass fishing on Lake Mille Lacs remains exceptional during morning and evening hours. Fun, fast action is also being reported by catfish anglers fishing the Red River. Walleye have been scattered. For the most fish, hit the midlake structure using leeches or crawlers during low light periods.
The forecast calls for spectacular weather this weekend with mostly sunny skies and highs in the low to upper 80s — time to hit the water!
BAUDETTE/WARROAD – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
On Lake of the Woods, anglers report nice pods of eating-size walleye in 10-15 feet of water in front of Pine Island, and near the Lighthouse and Morris Point gaps. Good numbers of walleye can also be found at the deep mud in 28-34 feet of water. Drifting spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits have been effective. Walleye anglers fishing the reefs of Big Traverse Bay are having success as well, especially when jigging or pulling spinners. Jumbo perch, northern pike and a few crappies are also being taken.
Anglers are enjoying good summer fishing in low current areas of the Rainy River. Sturgeon anglers are catching some nice fish. Large northern pike are active in the bays and feeder rivers. Smallmouth bass are holding at the rocks, bridges, current breaks and bays.
Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing remains excellent. Walleye anglers are catching lots of fish when jigging or pulling spinners at the reefs, points and neck-down areas with moving water. Good numbers of walleye can also be found spread out on the flats. Muskie anglers report nice numbers of fish, some measuring over 50-inches, caught when casting to the shoreline structure.
Contact Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau for more information.
MOORHEAD – RED RIVER
The bite remains good if not great all up and down the Red River. Water levels are down to what many would call perfect levels and it is easy to travel to favorite fishing spots. The catfish have been coming from the mid-river holes with fish starting to move to the outside bends in the faster waters. Catfish are responding to a variety of bait such as suckers, goldeyes and frogs but it can be hard to predict their preference each day. The solution is to bring each of these baits and test them until you learn which is most effective. Local anglers and guides expect great catfishing for the next month and beyond.
Contact the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.
BEMIDJI AREA LAKES
The walleye bite on Bemidji area lakes has actually picked up a bit. Spinner rigs and live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers seem to be working best but a few walleye are also being taken on jigs and minnows. Look for fish in the deep cabbage weeds or out on the sharper, deeper breaks. The Cass Lake chain, Blackduck and Bemidji lakes are producing some nice fish.
Bass fishing remains excellent for those using plastics on the deep weedlines, and for anglers working docks and inside weedlines with spinnerbaits. Crappies and bluegills are active in and along the deep cabbage. Jigs and plastics are working well for crappies and jigs with a leech or piece of a crawler are producing bluegills. Northern pike action continues to be good with the largest pike coming from the deep weed edges.
Learn more at the Bemidji Area Lakes fishing video(opens in new window)!
Contact Visit Bemidji for more information.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA
OTTER TAIL LAKE COUNTRY AREA LAKES
Walleye anglers are taking fish when pulling lindy rigs and jigging on the edges of the weeds. The key is to bring along a variety of bait but the best bite seems to be on minnows. Walleye are also coming from the edges of the new weed growth where pulling crawlers has been effective. Huge schools of bluegills can be found in 18-24 feet of water.
Contact Otter Tail Lakes Country Association for more information.
ISLE/ONAMIA – LAKE MILLE LACS
As of July 22, smallmouth bass fishing on Lake Mille Lacs remained exceptional, especially before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m.! Jig worms, ned rigs, and crankbaits were very productive in 4-18 feet of water. When using crankbaits, bounce them off the rocks for the most action.Walleye anglers continued to find fish at the inside and outside turns of the mud flats and in the deeper gravel and rock areas. Fish tend to be spread out a bit so fish the larger schools when you find them. Powered corking, trolling plugs and crawler harnesses all worked great in depths of 24-32 feet of water. Tactics and locations for bass and walleye were expected to remain the same for the following few weeks.
The DNR reminds Lake Mille Lacs anglers that the walleye season is catch-and-release through the end of summer. The one-fish walleye limit is scheduled to resume Thursday, Sept. 1, running through Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Contact the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council for more information.
WILLMAR AREA LAKES
Many anglers are reporting a variety of fish being pulled from the shallows of Willmar area lakes this week. Anglers with the most success are using live bait rigs, plastic jigs and “moving baits” like topwater lures. Eagle and Sunburg lakes are giving up active walleye and bass in 10-15 feet of water, while Diamond Lake has seen more active walleye and northern pike around the 20-foot depth. Walleye anglers should also consider Andrew, Green and Solomon lakes while using leeches, crawlers and chubs. Panfish are active on most area lakes, especially in the shallows of Solomon and Green lakes. The most effective presentation is a jig and small plastic.
Contact the Willmar Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.
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