WEEKLY FISHING UPDATE – JULY 14, 2022
Summer is in full swing throughout the state, with busy weedlines full of every species imaginable in deeper, colder waters and reports of walleyes being caught everywhere from Cook County to Lake of the Woods.
Successful anglers credit a wide range of methods for their daily catches, including live bait rigs, plastic jigs and “moving baits” like topwater lures.
While the water levels around Voyageurs National Park may have receded last week, they remain higher in the region around Itasca State Park.
NORTHWEST REGION
Fishing remains consistent on Leech Lake. With mayfly hatches tapering off, walleyes have begun to spread out a little more. Panfish have transitioned out of the shallows for the most part, and onto the deeper weed edges. Muskies seem to be transitioning from the deeper basin areas to the vast shallow structure Leech Lake has to offer. Bucktails fished over the best weed beds have generated the most interest from active fish recently. Fishing was excellent throughout Lake of the Woods this week, with a welcome mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, crappies and pike. In Detroit Lakes, walleye, crappies and pike are holding on in deeper, cooler water.
OTTER TAIL LAKE COUNTRY AREA LAKES
In Otter Tail Lakes Country, most of the walleye are coming from areas with mud where the bugs are hatching, but there are always some fish in the weeds and at the rocks. Spinners, crankbaits and bottom bouncers are ideal this time of year. Crappies can be found suspended over deep water and there are easy to spot on electronics. These active fish are responding to most presentations. Also look for some crappies at the weedlines, although you may have to cover water to locate them. Large bass are coming from the cover under docks and overhanging trees. Frogs, spooks and spinnerbaits are producing the most fish. Muskie have been active in the cabbage, responding well to bucktails and tubes.
Contact Otter Tail Lakes Country Association for more information.
ALEXANDRIA AREA LAKES
Fish in the Alexandria area are very much in their summer patterns now. That means the deep weedline edges in 12-25 feet of water (depending on the lake) are holding fish of all species. Bass are susceptible to Ned Rigs, skirted bass jigs, and Texas-rigged plastics. Early and late in the day, “moving baits” like topwater lures and crankbaits will catch bass too. Panfish continue to eat jigs and small plastics on the weedlines as well. Walleyes are holding on weedlines, too, though underwater humps, and sunken islands in 20-40 feet of water are holding these fish as well. Crawlers and leeches fished on live bait rigs continue to catch walleyes. Regardless of the species being chased, moving quickly along the weedlines until fish are found is sound advice.
Contact Explore Alexandria Tourism for more information.
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