Detroit Lakes
Water temperatures in the Detroit Lakes area have dropped back down to roughly 60-degrees. The walleye have transitioned back to the sharp shoreline breaks and shallow humps. Points, long bars and significant inside turns with drops to deep water have been the best locations. Jigs and rigs tipped with minnows have been the most effective in these areas. The full moon phase will linger into this weekend so night-trolling over the shallow flats should be a great option.
The smallmouth bass remain very active, especially at the rocks and gravel with transitions to hard sand bottoms. Crappie anglers are having success as fish suspend in schools off the sharp breaks. Largemouth bass are still in the shallows with active fish holding at the green weeds in 6-13 foot depths. Muskie action is picking up, and the large live sucker bite will only get better in weeks to come. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Recent cold fronts have caused water temperatures to drop into the upper 50s and low 60s, enhancing the already great fall bite. Walleye anglers continue to take the most fish on jigs and live bait rigs tipped with a large minnow. While fish are biting at all times of the day, low light hours remain the most active periods.
Check out Fall is Prime Time for Fishing to learn more about great fall fishing in Minnesota!
Anglers are asked to fish bodies of water close to home, and practice social distancing at the boat landings and shorelines. Learn more about safer ways to travel at Explore Minnesota’s COVID-19 Information page.
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 fishing has been more challenging this week. Anglers that have had success have found walleye in 10 feet of water or less at the large main lake points near deep water. Lindy rigs tipped with large minnows remain the best presentation. A few anglers have also had success when fishing 18-23 feet of water with a jig and minnow, but large numbers have not been reported.
Northern pike anglers enjoyed a good week of fishing, with lots of smaller pike reported. Anglers continue to find pike cruising the weedlines and river mouths. While large suckers have turned the most fish, spinners and spoons have also been effective.
Anglers have noted a steady increase in trout activity on many area lakes. Stream trout are now within reach of shoreline anglers, and these fish have made up most of the catches. For the most trout, float a crawler off the bottom, cast a small spoon, or toss out a jig with a twister tail. The large rocky flats and downed trees have been the most productive areas. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth – Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
Area waters, inland from Lake Superior, are producing some nice fish this week. Good panfish action has been reported by anglers using small beadle spinners or small hair jigs tipped with a piece of crawler outside the deep vegetation. These lines are occasionally being snapped off by a northern pike. As water temperatures continue to drop, pike will become even more aggressive. For those targeting pike, use live bait rigs, spinner baits or crank baits, with some pike anglers pulling in bonus bass at times. The walleye are returning to their usual springtime haunts near the river mouths, shallow substrate transitions, and sand or rock to mud transitions. While trolling is still a good tactic, jigging has become the most productive. Fish are being taken during daytime hours, but low light periods remain best.
More anglers are heading out onto the St. Louis River, most pursuing fall muskie. While few catches have been reported, muskie fishing should take off any day now. For the most action, use a big sucker slowly dragged behind a big bobber, with an occasional big pike or walleye coming in as well. Walleye anglers are having more success, especially when concentrating on shallower waters near deep edges. The best tactics have been fan-casting shad-pattern crank baits or ripping gulp on 1/4-ounce jigs. If you downsize to a 1/8-ounce jig, you may hook up with an occasional crappie or white perch. Smallmouth bass remain eager to bite in shallow waters.
Anglers that continue to head out onto Lake Superior are taking some nice fish. Most catches consist of salmon looking for food near shore. The tributary areas are becoming more productive and some anglers are taking a few trout and salmon when casting or jigging from shore. Stream fishing has been popular lately, with anglers seeking out fish returning from Lake Superior. There have even been a few reports of steelhead catches. A constant, however, is the native stream brook and brown trout action. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
Walleye fishing remains good on many area lakes, but especially on Big Winnie. Other area lakes producing walleye include Cutfoot, Big and Little Splithand, Bowstring, Dunbar and Graves. Walleye anglers are having the most success using a jig and minnow.
Panfish action has been good. For crappies, use a jig and smaller minnow. For bluegills and sunfish, a couple wax worms on a small jig will produce fish at the drop-offs just outside the weedlines. Lakes producing crappies include Little Cutfoot, Big and Little Splithand, Bowstring, Dunbar and Graves.
Muskie fishing is picking, with several nice fish seen, and a few nice fish caught. As always, anglers need to put in some time while casting bucktails, jerk baits, topwater lures or swim baits. Lakes to check out include Deer, Moose, North Star and Big Cutfoot, along with sections of the Mississippi River. Northern pike have been activated by the cooler water temperatures. For the most action, use a jig and minnow similar to what is used for the walleye, but swap out the leader with a section of 20-pound test line so you don’t use lose your jig and minnow. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The traditional fall jig bite for walleye is in full swing on Lake of the Woods, with various schools of walleye located across the south shore. Anglers are catching good numbers of walleye just outside the Lighthouse Gap where the Rainy River enters Lake of the Woods. Other hot spots include the area in front of Zippel Bay and areas around Long Point. Anglers having the most success are jigging fatheads or frozen shiners in depths of 22-28 of water. Some walleye continue to come in on spinners drifted with a minnow or crawler. Anglers also report some nice bites in 10-15 feet of water at Four Mile Bay.
There have been intermittent runs of emerald shiners entering the Rainy River, with some walleye following right behind. There should be stronger runs once water temperatures cool a bit further. Most of the successful anglers are jigging with frozen shiners, but trolled crank baits and crawler harnesses remain effective as well. Sturgeon anglers are doing well when focusing on the deeper holes using a sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers or shiners. Northern pike are hanging on the weed edges.
Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing has been very good, and there have been quite a few sauger, jumbo perch, northern pike and smallmouth bass mixed in. The best presentation has been a gold, orange or glow jig tipped with a minnow, especially when worked on the structure in 10-15 or 21-27 feet of water.
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
Bemdiji
Water temperatures on most area lakes have dropped into the upper 50s spurring walleye activity. The walleye are hitting jigs and minnows worked in 8-18 feet of water on Lakes Bemidji, Andrusia and Wolf. Walleye anglers are also finding some fish in depths of 25-30 feet when using jigging raps.
Northern pike are active on the weedlines, responding to jigs with minnows and crank baits tossed across the top of the grass. Bass fishing remains excellent at the deep green weed edges. Crappie anglers are having success in the deep basins, with some still being pulled from the deep cabbage. 877-250-5959; www.visitbemidji.com
Bena – Lake Winnibigoshish
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleye action remains strong for anglers using a jig and minnow on the points and along the shorelines in 6-10 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting spoons worked in depths of 10 to 15 feet of water throughout the lake. Minnows are turning nice numbers of perch in 6-8 feet of water along the shoreline breaks. www.lakewinnie.net
Central Region
Brainerd Area Lakes
Walleye fishing is heating up, with fish responding to a wide variety of presentations. Plastics, hair jigs, crawlers and red tails are all working well, especially when working the wind. Most fish are still fairly shallow, but the cold front will probably move them deeper.
Northern pike are slamming big lures worked in depths of 8-13 feet. Anglers covering water while trolling or soaking big suckers are taking some nice fish.
Bass anglers are doing well in 8-20 foot depths just off the weedlines on inside turns, points or rocks. Plastics and suckers are working well.
Crappies are slowly moving to the deep fall basin areas. Look for fish suspended off the weed edges. Bluegills remain on the points and inside turns in depths 8-12 feet. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
Fishing on Lake Mille Lacs has really turned on with the cooler water temperatures. Anglers report taking lots of nice walleye and good numbers of monster smallmouth bass.
Check out current lake conditions at the Mille Lacs Lake Webcams web page. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
If you’d like to rent a boat to fish Twin Cities area waters, check out the many boat rental options on the Explore Minnesota boating web page.
Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro/Preston – Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Friday, Sept. 25, many streams were muddy with a high water flow due to heavy rainfall, primarily north of I-90 and Rochester. Duschee Creek, however, remained in good condition several hours after the rain had subsided.
Be sure to check the Weekly Minnesota Stream Flow Maps for updates before you head out. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Ortonville – Big Stone Lake
Late last week, an awesome bite was reported on Big Stone Lake, with anglers taking lots of nice perch and bluegills. Anglers were asked to please consider releasing the giant bluegills if they were not going to the taxidermiston to be place on a wall. Don’t miss out on the great fall fishing and beautiful fall color show! 320-839-3284; www.bigstonelake.com
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