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Mid-summer patterns have become the norm. Fishing remains good throughout the state, especially during morning and evening hours. For walleye, try spinner rigs with crawlers, chubs or shiners during low light hours. Anglers are taking lots of bass and northern pike throughout the day.
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
The walleye continue to move toward their usual summer main lake structure. Walleye anglers are having success using minnows or leeches with 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jigs, lindy rigs or slip bobbers at the main lake reef tops in 15 to 20 feet of water. The weed edges in 5 to 8 feet of water remain productive for anglers trolling spinners with minnows or crawler harnesses. These shallower structures have been the most productive when there is the wind blows into them. The shallow crappie bite has slowed, however, the shoreline breaks and sunken brush piles in depths of 18 to 28 feet continue to give up fish. Smallmouth bass have completed their spawn and are heading off to their summer haunts. Young bass are holding on the rocky shorelines, with the larger bass coming from areas with boulders and weeds. Plastics, twitch baits and top water lures have been good choices. Northern pike are showing up at the deeper structure with more regularity. Large pike are being reported daily by walleye anglers using walleye jigs in 15 to 25 feet of water, with some pike hitting hooked walleye! Adult pike are also being caught at the deeper, windblown weed edges. Spoons, jerk baits, and medium to large spinnerbaits have been effective. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Ely Area Lakes & Streams
Smallmouth bass anglers are having a blast in the Ely area with some impressive catches being reported. These aerial acrobats are readily striking spinner baits, crank baits and topwater baits. It's always an adrenaline rush when one of these aggressive fish hits a surface bait and explodes out of the water. Most area lakes have an ample supply of bass, and they have saved the day for many anglers who have had limited success with the walleye. That said, there have been some decent walleye catches, and some of these fish have been very large. Lake trout are still being taken by anglers dragging either flutter spoons or large profile crank baits through waters roughly 30 to 45 feet below the surface in depths of 50 to 90 feet. Most of the action has been around sunken islands and sharp island points that drop off into deeper water. Bait color has been wide open. Large northern pike continue to slam sucker minnows, but the majority of fish are coming in on spinner baits and spoons since these allow anglers to cover more water. For the largest pike, work depths of 10 to 20 feet. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail & Grand Portage
Walleye are active in a number of Grand Marais area lakes. Locals report lots of nice walleye being pulled from Devil’s Track Lake on leeches, flicks and slip bobbers set roughly a foot off the bottom in 6 to 8 feet of water. There are also reports of walleye coming from Mink, Trout, Kimball, Two Island, Elbow, McFarland, Crescent and Sea Gull lakes. Bass and northern pike action has been good on Two Island, Devil’s Track, Elbow and Crescent lakes. Splake and rainbow trout are hitting crawlers and mepps spinners in depths of 10 to 20 feet on Mink, Kimball, Trout and Leo lakes. According to the Minnesota DNR, walleye populations in most Grand Marais area lakes are dominated by a strong 2012 year class. Anglers can expect good numbers of 14 to 18 inch fish in the better walleye lakes. Area guides report lots of trout coming in on spoons and stick baits worked in 100 to 180 feet of water on Lake Superior. Strong easterly winds have kept the waters cold, with temperatures warming slowly into the mid-40s. As a result, salmon fishing remains slow, but a few nice fish are being caught near the surface. 218-387-2524; www.visitcookcounty.com
Grand Rapids
Multiple species are being pulled from Grand Rapids area lakes. Bluegills and crappies are keeping anglers busy at the weed beds. Action has been good throughout the day on the dark water lakes. The clearer lakes have been most productive early and late in the day. Small jigs tipped with plastic bodies cast and slowly retrieved over the top of the weeds have been good for crappies. A slip bobber and small minnow will also turn some fish. Bluegills are inhaling wax worms and pieces of night crawler on a small jig, especially at the weed beds. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has been excellent on most area lakes. In fact, the area has received national attention due to the success of various professional bass tournaments. Pokegama, Wabana, Trout, Loon, Rice and Turtle lakes are some of the hottest bass lakes in the areas. For fast action, use a drop shot, spinner bait, crank bait, topwater lure, Texas rig, jig and worm or jig and pig. Walleye fishing remains good at the weedlines of many area lakes. A spinner rig with half a crawler, chub or shiner is a good option. Crank baits trolled through depths of 8 to 14 feet is a great way to get walleye and northern pike to respond. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Walleye anglers are reporting strong numbers of fish coming from Lake of the Woods. Quite a few trophy-size fish weighing 8 to 11.5 pounds are also being taken. Anglers having the most success are drifting or trolling spinners with crawlers, and trolling crank baits in the basin in 26 to 34 feet of water. Some fish are on the structure, and others are in the mud. On the Rainy River, NABC bass tournament anglers found smallmouth bass in the tributaries with clean water despite the heavy rain and murky conditions last Sunday. Up at the Northwest Angle and Islands area, walleye and northern pike are being taken on crank baits worked along the south side of Oak Island. Walleye are also coming in on gold and green spinners pulled through depths of 26 to 30 feet of water. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Walker - Leech Lake
Walleye action has slowed a bit on Leech Lake. Anglers are doing best when working the windblown points, reefs, sand flats and shoreline breaks in 15 to 25 feet of water during early morning and evenings hours. The best presentations have been slip bobbers and lindy rigs with chubs or blown-up crawlers, and trolled spinners and crankbaits. During the day, it is important to cover lots of water by trolling the major breaklines using spinners with larger blades, or #5 or #7 shad raps or flicker shads. Spinners should be trolled at 1.2 to 1.5 mph to keep the perch off. Anglers using crank baits should travel at 2.2 to 2.8 mph. Muskie anglers are finding fish on the main lake rock structure, as well as the deep weed beds. The best bet is to use a bucktail, topwater lure or jerk bait during peak feeding windows and before a front comes through. Other area lakes are giving up lots of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. Weeds are a key factor – try to focus on the weed edges in 15 to 22 feet of water. Drop shots, wacky rigs and jig worms are good presentations for bass. Spoons and spinner baits have been best for northern pike. For crappies and sunnies, use a 1/32 or 1/16 ounce jig tipped with a crappie minnow or plastic. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com
Detroit Lakes
Water temperatures in the Detroit Lakes area continue to hover in the upper 70s, even hitting 80 degrees. Walleye are holding on the points and humps 18 to 26 foot depths, responding to bottom bouncers, spinners and crawlers, rigged leeches or big minnows, and jigging raps. Some anglers continue to do well when trolling the shallow flats at night. Bass are active at the weedlines, docks and shaded shoreline cover, hitting rigged plastics. Northern pike action has been best in the weeds with larger fish coming off the sharp breaks in deeper water. Casting, trolling and rigging big minnows are all working well. Crappies and bluegills can be found in and around the cabbage, eagerly hitting small jigs with leeches, pieces of crawler and plastics. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
Hot temperatures have raised lake water temperatures, with upper 70s and low 80s reported on most lakes. The walleye remain active in both the deep and shallow waters, depending on the lake. They are also willing to feed in the middle of the day. For a relaxing day on the water, put the rod in the rod holder and troll crank baits such as #5 flicker shads or rapala shad raps. Panfish can be found suspended over deep water, at the weedy flats and over the cabbage weeds at the edge of the flats near deep water. The most productive weeds are roughly 5 to 8 feet tall. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Lake Mille Lacs water temperatures are in the mid-70s, with surface temperatures reaching 80 degrees. Anglers are asked to retrieve fish slowly, try to keep them in the water as much as possible, and release them quickly. As of late last week, the walleye numbers (and overall size) remained impressive. Anglers took consistent numbers of fish on nightcrawlers and spinners fished at .7 mph or faster. Leeches on a live bait rig or beneath a slip bobber also turned fish. The mud flats and gravel gave up the most walleye. Some of the better locations included Seguchie Flat, Greg's Flat, Highway Bar and Sloppy Joes. The best smallmouth bass action took place in 10 to 18 feet of water at the larger rocks. Senkos and fluke-style baits worked well. Some of the hot spots included Hawksbill Reef, Three Mile and Brown's Point. Northern pike activity was good for anglers using a small sucker in depths of 8 to 12 feet on the deep edge of the weeds. Check out Garrison Play Days this weekend, July 20-22. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
White Bear Area Lakes
The weeds are healthy and thick on White Bear Lake. While anglers are having to deal with floating mats, trolling medium-size spinner baits just under the surface and above the emerging weeds will result in a lot of fast northern pike and bass action. The most productive colors are lime green with blue or yellow. Panfish are abundant in less than 12 feet of water. Schools of smaller fish are in the deeper waters feeding on surface hatches, and the larger sunfish can be found in and near the heaviest weeds. A small jig tipped with an angle work or wax worm is all that is needed. Some walleye are responding to leeches suspended a few feet off the bottom in transition zones near drop-offs, especially at the weeds towards dusk. Muskie action will heat up shortly. 651/653-5122; www.explorewhitebear.org
Southern Minnesota
Winona - Mississippi River and Lake Winona
The water remains high on the Mississippi River, but anglers continue to catch good numbers of catfish and bass. Crappies and walleye are being pulled from the backwater areas. Panfish anglers are doing well at the snags in the river. For lots of nice bass, hit Lake Winona. 507-452-0735; www.visitwinona.com
Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of July 19, area streams were in good condition, however, approaching storms were expected to cause a decline in conditions. Mill Creek at the County Road 2 Bridge in Chatfield was at 58 centimeters of visibility. Trout Run Creek at Bucksnort Park had over 1 meter of visibility and was crystal clear. The South Branch of the Root River at the County Road 17 Bridge in Preston was at 80 centimeters of visibility. All streams were fishable in all manners of trout fishing but the larger streams could quickly turn muddy following the forecasted storms. Weekend anglers were encouraged to stick to the smaller area streams, and check the Minnesota Stream Flow Report before heading out. Consider attending Fly Tying Fridays at the National Trout Center in Preston. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
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