Anglers continue to take good numbers of walleye from the outside edge of the weed beds in roughly 12-30 feet of water. Spinner rigs and live bait rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers are turning the most walleye. Lots of bass, panfish, northern pike and muskie are also being reported.
Please remember that water temperatures are at or near peak summer highs, so oxygen levels are reduced and fish are much more vulnerable. Come prepared with the right equipment to quickly unhook and return fish to the water.
Anglers are asked to fish bodies of water close to home, and practice social distancing at the boat landings and shorelines.
For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR’s Fish Minnesota web page.
[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]
Northeast Minnesota
Ely
Walleye continue to settle into their summer patterns. Anglers report that the best bites are occurring somewhat shallow, in 12-18 feet of water. Jigging raps, lindy rigs, and jigs with half a crawler worked around the sunken islands and main lake points have accounted for the majority of walleye being caught. On lakes where ciscos are present, anglers have been catching walleye when trolling large crank baits over deep water during evening hours. Most walleye can be found suspended 15-20 feet down over 40-70 feet of water.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass action remains excellent, especially for anglers using topwater lures early and late in the day. As the sun rises, the topwater bite cools off and anglers should adjust by throwing spinner baits, soft plastics or jerk baits. Smallmouth bass are most active on the rocky shorelines and near the river mouths in 5-10 feet of water. There have been a few reports of smallmouth bass catches coming from walleye anglers fishing the tops of the sunken islands. Most of the largemouth bass are coming from the shallow weed beds, lily pads and wild rice.
Northern pike anglers continue to catch good numbers of smaller pike when using buzz baits burned over the tops of weed beds early in the day. Spoons with a sucker fished under a bobber have also been effective. The larger pike, measuring more than 30-inches, continue to come from the sunken islands. Anglers trolling large minnow baits over these areas have taken some very nice fish.
Crappie fishing has slowed this week, but some anglers continue to take fish when using small hair jigs, small crank baits or crappie minnows fished under a bobber during low light periods. Both the crappies and sunnies can be found out on the weedlines in 8-12 feet of water. Anglers targeting sunfish should use crawlers on small jigs.
Shore anglers are catching some large trout when using slip bobbers and nightcrawlers roughly 15-20 feet down. Anglers fishing from a boat will want to troll small crank baits or spoons over deep water.
800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Grand Rapids
Good numbers of walleye, northern pike, bass, panfish and muskie are being pulled from Grand Rapids area lakes. Please remember that water temperatures are at their highest, so oxygen levels are reduced and fish are having a harder time recovering when returned to the water. Come prepared with all the right equipment to unhook a fish quickly and properly to ensure a safe release.
Walleye action has been very good throughout the area. Spinner rigs with crawlers or leeches have been the most effective, especially when trolled at 1.2- to 1.5-mph through 14-22 feet of water at the outside edge of the weed beds. If you are in the midst of biting fish, consider anchoring and floating a slip bobber with a leech.
Bass and panfish have been very active on the deeper weed edges in 10-16 feet of water. Small spinners, twister tails on a jig head, and leeches under a bobber have produced lots of quality bluegills and crappies. Bass are coming from similar areas on jigs tipped with worms, and Texas-rigged worms. Good numbers of panfish are coming from the weedlines on Lake Pokegama. Lake trout fishing has also been good on Lake Pokegama. For the most trout, run lead core or downriggers at the thermocline which has been showing up at 50-55 feet. When not using lead core or downriggers, use a deep-running crank bait with a split shot about 4 feet in front to weigh it down further.
Muskie and northern pike have also been cooperating, especially at the deep weed edges, rock points and mid-lake humps in 10-16 feet of water. Topwater lures, bucktails and rubber baits have been the most consistent producers. While fish are being taken throughout the day, morning and evening hours have been best. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers are catching good numbers of eating-size walleye, as well as a lot of large catch-and-release fish on the south end of Lake of the Woods. Deep summer patterns have developed so anglers will want to drift or pull hammered gold, glow white or glow red spinners with crawlers or leeches. The second best technique is to troll crank baits through 29-34 foot depths over the deep mud. Some walleye continue to be pulled from the shallows where forage opportunities are strong.
On the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing has improved. The best presentation is a sturgeon rig and 3-ounce no-roll sinker with crawlers and/or frozen shiners set in the deep holes. Walleye are scattered on the flats and in the deeper holes. Smallmouth bass are on the rocks. Northern pike are scattered in the bays and weedy areas. For lots of pike and bass action, work these areas using crank baits, spinners and jigs.
And up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing remains excellent around Crow Duck Island, north of Garden Island and in areas with deeper mud. Anglers having the most success are drifting and trolling spinners with a crawler, leech or minnow. Large northern pike and some muskie are coming from the deep bays and rocky points. Lots of smallmouth bass action is taking place in the weedy bays and at the rocky points.
Until the U.S./Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake and stay in Minnesota waters. Learn more at Boating to the Northwest Angle. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bemidji
Anglers continue to take walleye from depths of 12-24 feet on Bemidji, Andrusia and Plantagenet lakes. Live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers are working well, but jigs and plastics worked in the cabbage will also produce some walleye.
Bass fishing remains excellent for anglers using plastics in the shallow, thick weeds and along the deeper weed edges. Bluegills and crappies are active along the 8-12 foot cabbage beds. Anglers are asked to practice selective harvesting to maintain healthy fish populations. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
Detroit Lakes
Water temperatures in the Detroit Lakes area are in the mid- to high 70s, keeping most walleye deep on the mid-lake structure. Look for most of the walleye to be in depths of 20-32 feet in most lakes. Bass are coming from the deeper weed edges and shady shoreline areas such as docks and lifts. Some smallmouth are being taken when deepwater-rigging for walleye on Pelican and Cormorant lakes. Crappies continue to be pulled from 8-12 foot depths at the cabbage weeds on many area lakes. The sunfish are active just about everywhere, with fish coming from the shallows, weed beds and waters as deep as 25 feet off the mid-lake structure. Some anglers are catching muskie at the cabbage beds, however, there have been more follows than catches. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Glenwood Area Lakes
As of late last week, walleye continued to bite in lakes throughout the area. On many area lakes, large populations of walleye had moved out to the deep structure and basins. Mid-lake points, inside turns, and sometimes the middle of nowhere were all holding walleye. Finding the right bait was key, as well as being able to mark fish. Anglers caught fish when pulling lead core through 22-28 feet of water, a good tactic when fish are out roaming the basin. Lead core is fairly simple to use, and it adds about 5 feet to the crank bait. Crank baits pulled at roughly 1.8- to 2.2- mph worked well. A key factor to catching fish was to find out what the fish were feeding on to determine the best colors and patterns. www.glenwoodlakesarea.org
Brainerd Area Lakes
Despite the ‘dog days’ of summer, fishing is actually improving in the Brainerd Lakes area. Walleye are coming from the outside weed edges, responding well to spinners with night crawlers or leeches. Fish have been active throughout the day, with the largest fish taken during the midday hours! Anglers also report a great night bite when trolling. Lakes to consider include Gull, North Long, Edwards, Pelican and Alexander.
Some huge smallmouth and largemouth bass are being taken from the tips of the points. Drop-shotting, jigs and worms, and live bait under slip bobbers are all producing fish. Large bluegills are being pulled from depths of 14-18 feet off the deepwater points and at the inside weed edges. Northern pike have moved deeper and can be found on the deep seedbeds and sharp drop-offs. Trolling deep-diving muskie baits and working live bait rigs with big suckers have produced fish consistently. Crappies also remain active, especially during low light periods. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
Walleye angling on Lake Mille Lacs will be allowed again this summer beginning Saturday, Aug. 1. Anglers will also be able to use live bait on Aug. 1. More information is available at mndnr.gov/millelacslake.
The forecast indicates a spectacular weekend, and the walleye action should be great! Expect sunny to partly cloudy skies, a nice “walleye chop,” and little chance of rain.
Bass fishing has been steady. Water temperatures are roughly 73-77 degrees, and bass are beginning to school. For the most bass action, use a ned rig and drop shot at the deeper, isolated boulders in 10-18 feet of water. A few bass are also coming in on swim baits worked in 4-8 feet of water. Lots of large northern pike, some measuring up to 45-inches, have been taken by anglers trolling crank baits.
Please remember that when the water is at summer high temperatures, anglers must handle fish carefully. Try to hook the fish fast, then bring them up slowly. The less handling, the better. Check out current lake conditions at the Mille Lacs Lake Webcams web page. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Twin Cities anglers that want to fish a nearby lake can rent a boat at parks within the Three Rivers Park District. Learn more at the Three Rivers Park District Watercraft Rentals web page.
Stillwater – St. Croix River
During late July and early August, mid-summer fishing conditions prevail on the St. Croix River. Anglers will need to cover a lot of water to find active fish. Once found, expect to take a couple keepers from each spot. Lots of fish are being marked, but they are less willing to bite as they were during late spring and early summer periods.
For the most walleye, use rapalas, live bait rigs, jigging raps or spinners in depths of 9-22 feet, and sometimes deeper. Smallmouth bass action has been good for anglers using senkos, tubes and finesse worms. Pods of white bass are being located, with spinners and twister tails turning the most fish. Other species being reported include sauger, crappies and catfish. And crawler fishing is a fun way to catch many species including gar, drum, perch and sunfish. 651-351-1717; www.discoverstillwater.com
Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro/Preston – Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Tuesday, July 14, most creeks and streams were clear to slightly off with a normal to slightly high water flow. The Trout Run, however, was in great shape. Be sure to check the Weekly Minnesota Stream Flow Maps before you head out. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Ortonville – Big Stone Lake
The perch bite on Big Stone Lake is great right now with reports of several limits being taken. Some nice bluegills have been mixed in with the perch. The best presentation has been a tungsten jig tipped with spikes worked in 9-13 feet of water. Vertical jigging and trolling crank baits have been good ways to locate fish, as well as catch a few. The perch are starting to group up so fishing should only improve this summer! 320-839-3284; www.bigstonelake.com