Minnesota Statewide Fishing Reports
INFO AS OF 8-26-2010

Northeast Minnesota

International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

Rainy Lake walleye are biting in 24-35 feet of water, hitting jigs and minnows on the mid-lake humps, and spinners with minnows or leeches trolled along the windy shorelines. The best bite has been during morning hours. Fishing has been good in all the popular spots from roughly Grindstone Island to the Brule Narrows. East of the Brule, anglers are catching more keeper-size fish. Rainy River walleye and bass are being caught below the dam at International Falls. Fishing has also been good at the mouth of the Littlefork and Big Fork Rivers. Smallmouth bass anglers are pre-fishing for the International Falls Bass Championship, but are tight-lipped about whether they are catching anything, and if so, where. At this time of the season, bass are typically found along the south shoreline in areas where there is a mix of sand and rocks on the bottom with some weed beds. Crappie fishing is expected to start picking up, but remains slow at this time. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, strong winds kept anglers at bay earlier this week, and then summer conditions returned, with mild winds and 75- to 85-degree days. Walleyes are somewhat scattered, with some shallow and some deep. The most successful anglers, however, are targeting 30 foot depths with deeper water adjacent. While there are fish being caught in 35-45 foot depths, these depths and warm water leads to a very high mortality rate for a lot of fish which can't be kept. Live bait, primarily minnows, has been best, with rainbows being a great choice for this time of year since they are both active and colorful. Jig and minnow combinations, and slip sinker rigs with live bait are producing fish along the reef edges and structured shorelines. At present, the east half of Kabetogama on into Namakan has been the most consistent. Lake Namakan and East Kabetogama have water temperatures 3- to 5-degrees cooler than West Kabetogama which has been a significant factor for fishing success. Northern pike, including many trophy-sized fish, are being caught with some regularity, especially over the weed tops and deep weed edges. Smallmouth bass are chasing crayfish and perch minnows along the shorelines and shallow weed edges. This week will again offer great summer weather prior to the inevitable coming of fall.

Walleye and other species are now or soon will be foraging feverishly for food to aid them through the winter. Anglers should target 30 foot depths with a food shelf adjacent to deeper water. Areas with such structure include the Martin Islands, and Cuculus, Green and Chase islands. The Namakan Basin offers many areas with similar structure. To find out more on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Ely

The dog days of summer have arrived, along with a slight slowdown in action. Some walleye continue to be taken, just not as fast and furious as seen in previous weeks. Most of the fish are now coming from 16-20 feet of water, with slowly-trolled lindy rigs and rapalas putting the majority of fish on the stringer. Some large northern pike can be found cruising in slightly deeper waters; for the most fish, use a large crankbait or spoon along the drop-offs. And, smallmouth bass are hitting topwater baits worked along the shorelines during early morning hours and at dusk. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion

To learn what technique's are working best, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage

To find out when and where to fish, check out www.VisitCookCounty.com

Grand Rapids

For information on what's biting and where, check out www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

On Lake of the Woods, most walleye anglers still recommend depths of 30-32 feet of water, however some are finding walleye hiding amongst the rocks and other structure in shallower waters. Bait fishing with a 3/8-ounce jig or trolling with a shad rap have been best. At the Northwest Angle & Islands area, gold or orange 3/8-ounce jigs tipped with a minnow have been landing an amazing number of walleye. Tug Channel, Skeet, and French Portage are all producing lots of fish! Muskie fishing has picked up again, with fish hitting trolled spoons and spinners. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Surface water temperatures for most area lakes are now around 70-degrees, nearly ten degrees less than peak summer temperatures. A good shallow walleye bite is being reported on Lake Winnibigoshish, with many walleye feeding along the shoreline structure. Some fish are on patches of broken rock and gravel, while others are feeding on the edges of cabbage weed beds. Most of the walleye action on Lake Winnie has been in 6-10 feet of water. On lakes Bemidji and Cass, walleye are biting on the edges of the mid-lake bars and humps, with anglers taking fish on live bait rigs tipped with nightcrawlers, leeches or larger minnows; some anglers have already switched to jig and minnow combinations, which are popular in the fall. There is a good perch bite on top of the structure in lakes Bemidji, Cass and Pike’s Bay. Many perch are relating to rocks or chara flats (sand grass), which gives the perch access to both crayfish and minnows. Muskie fishing has slowed due to recent hot temperatures, with many of the muskies moving out of the shallows when water temperatures approached 80-degrees. Now that the lake water is cooling down, more muskies should be moving back into the shallows to feed. Crappie action will soon heat up, once the water temperatures begin to drop further. In the fall, crappies move to deep structure where anglers are able to use their electronics to locate schools of fish. To find out more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Walker - Leech Lake

On Leech Lake, recent high winds blowing from all directions have made it difficult to determine what techniques are working best. The jumbo perch bite has been the best action, even though it is still early in the season for these fish. The current hot spot has been in the Walker Narrows, both the main lake side and Walker Bay side. The Mounds Point area of Steamboat Bay, and Walker Bay's Erickson Landing have also been good for lots of fish. The best approach has been a multicolored jig tipped with a fathead minnow. There have been reports of a few walleye coming from the Walker Narrows on jig and minnow combinations. The Humps of Walker Bay would also be a good place to check out. During evening hours, try crankbaits in the Walker/Sand Point/Cedar Point area, and in the main lake at Pine, Star, and Stony points. Muskie anglers are taking fish from Portage Bay and the Pelican Island area. Look to the rice beds in Steamboat and Miller bays for good bass action. For further information, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit www.leech-lake.com

Cass Lake/ Deer River - Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux lakes

Walleye fishing on area lakes has been very good for the month of August. On Sand Lake, look for walleye in 12-15 feet of water using a jig or rig presentation, with lots of crappies also being taken. On Bowstring Lake, walleye action has been best in depths of 8-9 feet. The best approach has been a spinner tipped with half of a nightcrawler or red-tone shad rap. Lake Winnibigoshish is also giving up lots of fish. On days with a strong south wind, hit Muskie Bay and Stony Point using spinners tipped with half of a crawler, a rig and 3 foot leader tipped with a crawler, or jig and minnow combination; on the calmer days, check 17-19 feet of water at the main bars using rigs and 6-7 foot. leaders tipped with a crawler or leech. All signs indicate that there will be a good fall crappie bite on Cutfoot Souix. To find out more, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Park Rapids

For information on which techniques are working best, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

Water temperatures in the Detroit Lakes area have dropped 8-degrees in the last week or so due to three significant cold fronts and subsequent rainfall. Despite these fronts, the fish continue to bite. Walleye anglers are pulling fish from the fast breaks on the mid-lake structure in 19-25 feet of water. Rigs and jigs tipped with a minnows have been best. Big Detroit, Pelican, and White Earth lakes are all producing fish. Anglers fishing Big Detroit Lake report a mix of small 11- to 12-inch fish, along with nice eating-size fish, with some measuring over 20-inches. The shallow basin lakes will soon heat up due to the drop in temperature. Such lakes include Height of Land, Shell, Rock, and Tamarac. Bass are active on Floyd, Cotton, Long, and Big Detroit lakes. Muskie action remains strong on Pelican and Big Detroit lakes, with anglers taking the most fish from the main flat areas near the fast drops to deep water. Panfish action is good at the weeds on nearly every area lake, especially for anglers using pieces of a nightcrawler on small jigs. To learn more, dial 1-800-542-3992, or go to www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Otter Tail Lakes Area

For information on what's biting and where, dial 1-800-423-4571, or check out www.ottertailcountry.com

Miltona

Last week on Lake Miltona, walleye were being caught during low light periods by anglers using lindy rigs with leeches and crawlers in 17-20 foot depths. Sunnies and crappies continued to come in on flu-flus with white or chartreuse twister tails worked in depths of 12-15 feet. A few muskies were recently taken on tubes and other plastics. And bass could be found in the shallows and out in deeper waters; the majority of fish came in on jig worms or jig and pig combinations. To find out more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Whitefish Chain of Lakes Area

The recent intermittent rainshowers seem to have excited the walleye in the Whitefish Chain of Lakes area. Walleye anglers are taking fish on lindy rigs with redtails or leeches worked in 22-28 feet of water. Anglers are also picking up fish by trolling crankbaits during evening hours. Bass continue to hit plastic frogs, worm rigs and spinnerbaits worked along the weedlines. Northern pike are coming from the outer weedlines on sucker minnows. Large bluegills are hitting small jigs and spinners worked in depths of roughly 18 feet. For the most fish, use slip bobbers and panfish leeches. Crappies can be found suspended 16-18 feet down, hitting small minnows or worms on jigs and plain hooks. And, just like its name indicates, Trout Lake has been great for trout! To learn more, visit www.whitefish.org

Brainerd Lakes Area

As of late last week, walleye action was great on Gull Lake. The best approach was a live bait rig tipped with a redtail worked on the outside weed edge. Bass were hitting crankbaits on North Long, Gull, and many other area lakes. Large schools of bass could be found suspended beneath schools of baitfish over deep water. Once located, anglers were doing well when casting deep-diving crankbaits over the deep water adjacent to steep drop-offs. The muskies and northern pike were attacking topwater lures at the deep cabbage weed beds on Alexander and Cedar lakes. Numerous fish were also taken on bucktails cast over and pulled through the cabbage. For more information, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs

On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye anglers report a great bite when trolling crankbaits or pulling spinners through deeper waters during the day; crankbaits are producing fish at the shallow rocks during periods of low light and wind. Reports of some nice-size perch are coming in, indicating that this could be great fall perch season. The muskie action is heating up, especially on the north end of Mille Lacs. An assortment of lures is producing fish, including jerkbaits, bucktails, topwater baits, and even trolled plugs. A few fish measuring over 50-inches were recently reported. Smallmouth bass are being taken by lots of walleye anglers trolling on the rocks. To learn more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar

Fishing remains good throughout the Willmar Lakes area. Walleye and bass anglers are taking lots of fish from 20 feet of water on Green Lake at Spicer. Lots of large sunfish are being pulled from depths of 10-15 feet. Northern pike are biting at the edge of Ringo Lake where it flows under the road. Check out Solomon Lake for good numbers of panfish; for crappies and sunnies, hit Andrew and Games lakes. To find out more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area

This is the best time of the year for bass fishing, with anglers finding schools of bass along the weed lines and points of Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes when using jig worms, Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and crankbaits. For the most fish, hit 6-14 feet of water. Both lakes are catch and release only for bass measuring 12-inches or more, with anglers often catching 50- to 100-fish a day! Sunnies and crappies are active on all area lakes. The largest sunfish seem to be coming from 6-10 feet of water. Crappies can be found suspended down 6-8 feet in depths of 15-25 feet. Northern pike fishing has been great on South Center, Green and Chisago lakes, especially when using sucker minnows under bobbers. Sunrise Lake has been best for large pike. Walleye have been tougher to catch, however they are being caught. The best approach has been to fish using bobbers. Walleye fishing will continually improve over the next couple of weeks. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakeschamber.com

White Bear Lake Area Lakes

To learn when and where to fish, dial 651/653-5122, or check out www.ExploreWhiteBear.org

Waconia

For information on what's biting, dial 952/442-5812, or check out www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Lake City -Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River

To find out what's biting and where, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Lanesboro

As of Monday, August 23, all southeastern Minnesota streams and rivers were clear, with normal water flow. Tricos were found on the South Branch of the Root River by Forestville State Park. To learn more, dial 1-800-944-2670, or visit www.lanesboro.com

Albert Lea

For information on where to fish, dial 1-800-345-8414, or check out www.albertleatourism.org

Fairmont Area Lakes

As of late last week, bluegills and crappies were coming from the channels in town. For bass, anglers worked the shallows of Budd, Sisseton, and George lakes using plastics. Catfish were active on Amber and Hall lakes. Walleye anglers were taking a few fish on leeches and crankbaits. To learn more, dial 1-800-657-3280, or visit www.fairmontcvb.com

Ortonville -Big Stone Lake

Excellent numbers of perch are being pulled from Big Stone Lake. The techniques being used are many. Most anglers are pulling crankbaits or bottom bouncer/spinner/crawler combinations. Some, however, have started anchoring at the traditional perch hot spots and are doing well when vertically jigging or using a slip bobber. There are a few anglers that have done well just by fishing off the docks! Anglers using a trolling approach are finding the fish on the bottom, mostly in the 10-11 foot range, and have added sections of lead core to set their lure on the bottom! When anchored, use pieces of nightcrawler, spikes or waxworms. To find out more, dial 1-800-568-5722, or check out www.bigstonelake.com

The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism.