Bass and panfish action remains excellent throughout the state. While some walleye continue to be taken, overall, the bite has been slow. Launching a boat has been difficult on some bodies of water due to low water levels. Expect fishing to heat up for most species as water temperatures drop.
Happy fishing!
FISHING CONDITIONS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
BAUDETTE – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
A good walleye bite continues to be reported on the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Schools of walleye roam the deep mud basins of Big Traverse Bay, and anglers are having success targeting walleye in depths of 30-34 feet of water. The reefs are also holding fish, with walleye pulled from the tops, sides and just off the edges of the deep mud. The best techniques are drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers, and trolling crank baits. Since not all walleye are schooled tightly, drifting and trolling are great ways to cover water. Ideal colors this week are hammered gold, yellow, orange and glow white.
Recent windy days caused a lot of anglers to switch gears and fish the Rainy River instead of Lake of the Woods. Many anglers reported success with a variety of fish including walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass and sturgeon. Walleye anglers found that spinners with crawlers or trolled crank baits were the best producers. Most of the bass and pike were found at the structure, docks and weed edges. The sturgeon “keep one” season continues through Sept. 30.
Up at the Northwest Angle, the border with Canada opened Aug. 9 to American travelers with a vaccination card and negative PCR COVID test less than 72 hours old. This means driving to the Northwest Angle is possible once again. Boating from the Angle into Canada is also allowed once again. Anglers are taking nice numbers of walleye from 28-33 feet of water at the deep mud of Little Traverse Bay. Spinners and crank baits are effective ways to cover water and locate fish. Anglers will want to concentrate on the underwater points, sunken islands and neck-down areas.
The 30th Annual North American Sturgeon Championship(opens in new window) will be held Saturday, Aug. 21 in Birchdale. This tournament is open to the public, with adult and youth divisions. All are welcome!
Contact Baudette – Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce for more information.
FARGO-MOORHEAD – RED RIVER
The Red River water flow remains extremely low, but anglers are catching catfish when staying patient and putting in the time. Most of the fish are lined up on the inside corners of the river near beaver houses, and side imaging shows catfish lined up near the bank. Still, just because you see fish on the depth finder, it doesn’t mean that they will bite. Goldeyes and frogs have been the best bait this week. Also, kayaks and waders allow access to the waters below the dams and these current areas seem to hold the healthiest fish. Remember, however, that extra caution is needed in these areas.
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.
WALKER – LEECH LAKE
Walleye fishing is starting to pick up on Leech Lake now that water temperatures are slowly falling and recent winds have pushed fish into and onto the wind-blown structure. Anglers are taking from the weedlines in 13-17 feet of water on lindy rigs tipped with crawlers or minnows. Jig raps and jig and minnow combinations are good options for fish in waters deeper than 20 feet. Expect walleye reports to continually improve as we move into fall.
The shallow bass bite has been tough this week. Fish seem to have slid out past the first break. The deeper rocks are still holding smallmouth.
Sunfish and crappies are most active during low light hours, with fish responding to small jigs worked through and around the cabbage weeds. This bite will slow as weeds start to die off.
Muskie anglers are reporting some very nice fish! Top water baits worked in the shallows during low light hours have been the most effective. Areas with sand are good places to start out. The key is to keep casting.
Contact the Leech Lake Area Tourism Bureau for more information.
DETROIT LAKES AREA LAKES
Fish remain in the same patterns as the last week or two. Some walleye are coming from the shallow flats on trolled crank baits, spinner rigs, and snapping jigs with minnows or plastics, especially during low light conditions and on windy days. Walleye can also be found in depths of 20-30 feet at the mid-lake structure or extending points/bars in many of the clear water lakes. Rigging, jigging, ripping raps, and trolling spinners or crank baits are all productive. Bass have been active near shore, on the deep weedline edges and hard bottom areas, as well as in deep waters on bright, sunny days. Crappies are still relating to the sharper breaks off the cabbage weed edges. Sunfish and northern pike can be found just about everywhere.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA
ALEXANDRIA AREA LAKES
Anglers report a great bass and panfish action on the weedlines, despite high temperatures. For the most bass action, fish a ned rig slowly along the weed edges in 12-22 feet of water depending on the lake. Don’t be surprised if you pull in an occasional northern pike or walleye as well. On windy, overcast days, try crank baits or slowly rolled spinner baits.
Panfish are also roaming the deep weed edges where they are responding best to small plastics fished slowly on jigs. Once one fish is caught, expect a bunch more!
Contact Explore Alexandria Tourism for more information.
ISLE/ONAMIA – LAKE MILLE LACS
Water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 70s in Lake Mille Lacs, especially in the bays. Current warm water temperatures have pushed most of the fish into deeper waters. Lots of smallmouth bass are coming from depths of 10-20 feet of water at the mid-depth boulders. Walleye anglers are having success in 18 feet and deeper in the basin areas when lead-lining crank baits. On windy days, the shallow reefs have also been productive. The boat accesses are very quiet so it’s easy to have your favorite fishing hole all yourself!
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.
WILLMAR
As of late last week, the walleye bite was slow, but the bass and panfish bites were excellent. Bass anglers were having success along the deep weedlines on most area lakes. Once a school of bass was located, anglers caught nice numbers of fish. Most of the largemouth bass were found in 15-20 feet of water and near weedy areas holding sunfish. The smallmouth bass bite was best in roughly 5-10 feet of water. Panfish anglers had the most success using jigs with small plastics at the deep weed edges in 12-18 feet of water. Schools of sunfish were easy to find. The crappies were a bit more spread out. The best technique was to slowly troll a small plastic or crank bait to locate fish. Most species of fish were more eager to bite during evening hours. As the water temperatures start to drop, expect fishing to heat up.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA
COOK COUNTY: LUTSEN-TOFTE, GRAND MARAIS, GUNFLINT TRAIL & GRAND PORTAGE AREA WATERS
Local charter captains fishing Lake Superior report some good action, especially near the Grand Marais harbor where nice numbers of lake trout are coming from roughly 100 feet of water. The majority of fish have responded to spoons.
On the inland lakes, smallmouth bass are eager to bite in depths less than 10 feet of water. Anglers are catching fish near shore when using jigs and worms, especially on Seagull Lake. Walleye numbers are up a bit this week. Most of the fish are coming from 20-30 foot depths on leeches. Anglers fishing Seagull Lake are catching walleye when using leeches in roughly 30 feet of water.
Contact Visit Cook County for more information.
DULUTH – LAKE SUPERIOR, ST. LOUIS RIVER AND INLAND WATERS
The lake trout season is closed in many areas of Lake Superior’s South Shore so anglers have turned their attention to salmon, brown trout, splake and walleye. Trolling spoons has been a great tactic, but anglers are also having success using live bait rigs. Walleye fishing on the South Shore remains inconsistent, however, it is a great opportunity to catch a trophy-size fish, especially in depths of 30-50 feet. Deep-diving crank bait and lead core setups have worked well to keep presentations down in the strike zone. Some nice schools of coho salmon and bonus pink salmon can be found near Duluth. Water levels remain low in area streams so anglers are struggling to catch even a few brook trout.
A few fish continue to be pulled from the St. Louis River, but overall, angling has been slow. For occasional smallmouth bass, northern pike and native river walleye, try casting stick baits into areas with current towards shore. The bite will improve later in August.
The inland lakes remain the best bet for anglers. Great panfish action is being reported on most inland lakes. Use a small chunk of worm under a float for fast action. Crappies can be found schooled in the deeper vegetation. Casting or trolling small beetle spinners will turn a few fish. Don’t be surprised if you pull in a few bonus northern pike and bass along the way. Another fun option is to cast topwater lures into the lily pad areas for some nice largemouth bass. Frog imitations are a great choice this time of year. Walleye anglers are having the most success during low light hours, especially when drifting live bait rigs over the deeper flats.
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