Fall fishing on the Rainy River
The fall bite is heating up nicely with fish beginning to school. The glow of autumn can be found throughout the state, and the stunning red, orange and yellow trees are especially beautiful from a boat.
For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR's Fish Minnesota web page.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Fewer anglers headed out recently due to the rain, but those that did found walleye around the submerged structure in 25 feet of water, as well as around the edges of weed beds in shallower waters. Some large northern pike and crappies were pulled from Black Bay. The maples trees are adding splashes of red and orange through a golden forest, esp. beautiful from a boat! Please note that beginning Oct. 1, Voyageurs National Park staff will begin removing hazard markers and regulatory buoys. The Sturgeon Catch-and-Release season is in effect on the Rainy River until April 23, 2018. Please remember to handle these large fish carefully, hold them horizontally to snap a photo and support their weight evenly. The sturgeon population is healthy and continues to grow due to sensible regulations and cooperation from anglers. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Ely Area Waters
Fall walleye patterns seemed to be established with fish coming from the deeper waters until more recently when fish could be found throughout the water column -- some coming from 30 feet of water, and some coming from 7 feet of water. Anglers are encouraged to remain mobile until fish are located. Once fish are marked, work them using crawler harnesses, jig and minnow combinations, or crank baits fished just off the bottom. Crappie action is beginning to heat up, and anglers are gathering at area crappie holes. Crappie minnows remain the bait of choice, but safety pin spinners with a jig and soft tail have been effective at locating groups of fish. Watch for marks that are suspended mid-way in the water column since this often represents the concentrations of crappies. Anglers are also pursuing northing pike. While large sucker minnows fished right on the bottom generally work well, this is also a good time to try “lunker” crank bait, working it over the deeper weed edges and rock piles. Northern pike action should be strong right up until ice begins to form. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth - Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
Cool, wet and rainy has been the common theme this last week, except for the heat wave of last weekend! It is now officially fall and anglers have changed over from late summer tactics. Stream fishing is heating up with all of the rainfall and the water temperatures hitting that magic number, causing migratory trout and salmon to move into the tributaries. Pink salmon have been the dominant catch, but the occasional brown trout and steelhead have also been showing up. Throwing hardware with regular spinning rods has been good. Stream fishing will continually improve as we move further into fall. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Walleye are following the shiners as they move shallow and into the Rainy River, and anglers report an increase in walleye numbers at the Lighthouse Gap and along the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Charter boats continue to do well in all parts of the lake. Some of the more successful areas include the main basin of Big Traverse Bay and Morris Point Gap. Anchored in depths of 27 to 30 feet is best, especially when using a jig with a shiner minnow -- pink and gold colors have been the most effective colors. Depths of 31 to 34 feet have also been good at the main basin of Big Traverse Bay, with anglers taking the most fish when trolling crankbaits. There are massive amounts of shiners in the Rainy River, and anglers are catching lots of walleye in these areas, especially during morning and evening hours. For the most action, troll crank baits or vertically jig a shiner. Lots of smallmouth bass and crappies are showing up as well. Sturgeon of all sizes are coming from the deep holes, including some measuring between 50 and 60 inches. Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye are now responding best to jigs tipped with a shiner minnow, especially at the main lake points in depths of 20 to 24 inches. Crankbaits continue to turn some fish. The muskie are moving deeper so anglers are transitioning from casting to trolling. There’s still time to boat a huge fall fish! 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bemidji
Fishing continually improves, fall colors are nearing their peak, and the Twins are almost certain to make the playoffs -- it doesn't get much better than this! The walleye bite is picking up with jig and minnow combinations working best. Most fish are coming from 12 to 14 feet of water off the weed edges or from depths of 17 to 21 feet off the sharp breaks. Northern pike are on the prowl in these areas as well. Bass fishing remains really good for anglers using jigs and plastics or Texas-rigged plastics. For the most action, hit the 12 to 14 foot weedlines or the edges of mid lake humps and bars. The crappie and bluegill bite remains good, especially in and along the green cabbage in 8 to 12 feet of water. Jigs with plastics are best. Once water temperatures drop below 60 degrees, look for crappies to be suspended over deep water. Muskie fishing continues to heat up, with large sucker minnows worked along the sharp breaks and deep cabbage producing some very nice fish. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
Park Rapids
Cooler water temperatures are causing fish to switch gears. Many of the crappies and large bluegills are heading into the deeper muddy-bottomed flats in 20 to 30 feet of water. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow combination. Larger northern pike are beginning to come out of their cold, deep summer haunts and cruise the shallows in 6 to 15 feet of water. Try trolling larger muskie-style baits for the larger fish -- please consider releasing the trophy-sized fish. For dinner table-sized pike, troll traditional baits such as spinner baits, smaller crankbaits, and old-fashioned spoons. Walleye have been scattered. Check the shallow weeds using plastics and jigs to tempt these aggressive feeders. Walleye are also starting to collect in the deep holes, sometimes as deep as 50 feet. These fish are easily caught on just about anything. The walleye will stay deep until early ice. Bass are active in the weedy shallows of most lakes. For the most action, use plastic worms, 3 inch tube jigs, or a jig and pig-type combination. Stick to natural colors as the waters cool down to the low 60s. Also consider the deep weedlines as fall progresses. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Detroit Lakes
Walleye are relating to the shoreline breaks and extended points in 24 to 32 feet of water. Jigs with minnows or rigs with larger minnows are turning the most fish. Some large muskie measuring 50 to 54 inches have been pulled from Big Detroit, Pelican and Sallie lakes this week. Most anglers are still doing well when casting baits over the weed flats, but the big minnow bite is taking over. Bass and northern pike are active on the deep weed edges. Smallmouth bass are relating to the gravel and rock. For quality smallies, hit Island, White Earth, Cormorant and Lida lakes. Water temperatures in the Detroit Lakes area are currently in the low 60s. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
While some anglers continue to pursue panfish, many anglers are turning their attention to the fall walleye bite. Many spots and techniques that work in the spring now work in the fall. The drop-offs near the weeds and the slow drops that fade away from points and turns are good spots to try both early and late in the year. While walleye can be deep this time of the year, anglers may want to concentrate on shallower waters which often hold the larger walleye. For the most action, use bottom bouncers, jigs or lindy rig presentations. For live bait, use crawlers, sucker minnows, fatheads or red tails. When using minnows and jigs near the weedlines, hold on tight to your rod since the northern pike are also eager to bite. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Alexandria Area lakes
Fishing over the last two weeks has been outstanding, with reports of amazing crappie, walleye and smallmouth catches coming in. The fish are biting like its fall despite the summer temperatures –hard to beat that combination! Smallmouth bass have been extremely aggressive. One guide has taken hundreds of smallmouth bass over the past week or so, with many in the trophy-size category. The majority of the fish are coming from 5 to 10 feet of water near the rocks -- don’t be afraid to throw very large baits at them as they haven’t been shy. Fish ranging from 18 to 20 inches have been common, and the largest smallmouth bass taken last week was over 5.5 pounds! There are also lots of reports of 10 to 12 inch crappies. Some anglers are finding the crappies suspended over deep water, and others continue to find them over the weeds in depths of 15 feet. In a few weeks, expect the majority of the crappies to be suspended over the deep water basins. Electronics are helpful to locate these hungry fish! Walleye are already in their fall locations and the numbers have been very good. Limits of 16 to 19 inch walleye have been common. For the most fish, use a 3/8 ounce jig with a minnow in 15 to 30 feet of water. With the early fall bite and lovely fall color, it will be a tremendous fall in the Alexandria area! 800-245-2539; www.explorealex.com
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
The edge of the cabbage weeds or any good broadleaf weed has been excellent for smallmouth bass. These weeds often hold their color late into the winter, providing habitat for gamefish and baitfish. For the next few weeks, expect to find a multitude of species amongst the aquatic foliage, specifically smallmouth bass and northern pike. Plastic jigs are producing the most fish – they would produce even better if tipped with live bait but live bait isn’t allowed on Mille Lacs at this time. The bass haven’t started to school since the water temperatures remain a bit high, but soon they will gather and fishing should only improve. Currently, anglers are taking roughly 20 smallies a day. Look in 6 feet of water in the morning, and 25 feet of water during midday hours. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Thursday, September 28, conditions on most area streams and rivers remained clear, with a low to normal water flow. As of Thursday, September 21, it was hot and humid, and gnats had become an issue. Blue-winged olives had been observed on overcast days. As of September 15, fisheries staff noted that the aquatic vegetation was beginning to deteriorate. The result was low oxygen levels in the mornings, causing trout activity to drop early in the day. The remainder of 2017 in southeast Minnesota trout streams will be catch-and-release. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Ortonville - Big Stone Lake
Fishing remains great on Big Stone Lake, and anglers have been well-rewarded for their efforts. Even on windy days, anglers have been able to put together a nice catch of crappie, perch and walleye. Perch anglers are taking the most fish when using a simple presentation with spikes. Anglers searching for fewer but larger perch are doing best with minnows. Many of these fish measure in the 12 to 13 inch range. Walleye anglers are having success when pulling crank baits down the center of the lake, with a few bonus perch and white bass mixed in. This will be the final fishing report for Big Stone Lake until next year. 800-568-5722; www.bigstonelake.com
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
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