Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - July 25, 2019

Night launch on a Lake Mille Lacs charter boat

The walleye bite remains good in most areas of the state, despite recent hot temperatures. Anglers are also taking nice numbers of bass, crappies and bluegills. The muskie bite continues to heat up. 

The weekend forecast calls for highs in the low to upper 80s with a slight chance of storms. Should be a great weekend to hit the water!

For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR's Fish Minnesota web page.

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]

Northeast Minnesota

International Falls - Rainy Lake

Most Rainy Lake walleye have transitioned to deeper waters and submerged structure. While jigging live bait is working best, the trick is finding the right depth. The recent hot temperatures have had an impact of the best depth so electronics are key to determine where the walleye are hanging out. One tip is to remember that walleye will strike upwards, so your presentation has to be slightly above the temperature strata they are gravitating towards.
 
While the bulk of walleye may be in the big lake and around the submerged reefs, you will still find walleye in some of the productive bays. Black Bay, for instance, usually holds some walleye, along with crappies and northern pike. The rocky edges around Cranberry Bay are usually good for some walleye and smallmouth bass.

Some visitors without a boat fished from the pier at Tilson Creek and reported catching some nice northern pike. If you don’t have a boat, there are city docks in Ranier that are closer to the swifter waters that usually hold fish. There is also a pier at the Pat Roche Access adjacent to the Voyageurs National Park headquarters building which is just above the dam on the Rainy River. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Ely Area Lakes and Rivers

Walleye continue to please anglers pulling crank baits and spinner rigs in water 4 to 10 feet of water at the shallower structure. Usually anglers need to head deep during the warmer waters of summer, but this is not the case this year. Walleye continue to be found as shallow as four feet of water over rocks or in weeds. Anglers working the shallows are catching most of the fish on a jig and leech either cast or set just off the bottom under a bobber. Other areas to check include the deep weed lines in 10 to 15 feet of water. The best presentation here is lindy rig tipped with a leech or crawler. There has been some excellent reports of multiple walleye over 25 inches being caught out around the sunken islands. At the reefs, walleye are coming from 10 to 15 feet of water on a simple jig and large leech, jigged near the bottom.  Gold, blue and pink have been the top producing colors.

Lake trout fishing has been good for anglers fishing 40 to 80 feet of water. Trolling large, flashy spoons on down riggers or trolling stick baits with three colors of lead core has been best. Silver and blue, pink and chartreuse, and silver and white have been the top colors for spoons. White, bloody nose and wonder bread colors are the top producers for stick baits.

Bass fishing has slowed a bit, although anglers continue to catch good numbers. Lots of bass are coming from the edge of the shallow, rocky flats and points, and on top of the reefs in 5 to 15 feet of water. Bass have been aggressive early in the morning, hitting buzz bait, whopper ploppers and poppers. As the sun rises, bass move deeper and anglers that adjust keep catching big bass. Senko rigs, spinnerbaits, in-line spinners and tubes are best for these midday bass. Watermelon, white and pumpkinseed have been ideal colors. 

Some nice rainbow and brook trout are being taken by anglers fishing from shore with a slip bobber and crawler suspend about 10 feet down. Anglers fishing from a boat have been catching lots of trout when trolling small crank baits or small spoons with a planer board. These anglers are having the most success working the tree lines and weed lines.  

Northern pike are smashing top water presentations such as larger profile poppers or buzz baits worked around the structure and weed edges. It’s always exciting to see one of these torpedoes pushing a wake toward your bait as they attempt to grab it. If they miss the bait on the first pass, just keep it moving and more often than not they will strike again. Spoons can also be very productive during the heat of the day when worked deeper in the water column. The flash and vibration can draw these fish in from a distance. Don't hesitate to use the largest spoons available as some of these pike will readily attack 3 pound walleye when hooked. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org  

Duluth - Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters

Consistent weather has brought on a consistent bite for anglers. Water temperatures are now in the upper 70s and low 80s meaning it is even more important to handle "release" fish with care. Muskie are very fragile in warm waters so it is best to keep the fish wet by immersing the net in the water as you work to release the bait. The most successful fishing is now in areas of deeper cooler waters such as found in depths of 20 to 30 feet.

On the inland lakes, walleye fishing has been good, with a nice mix of perch and crappies also being taken. Slip bobbers with leeches or fatheads fished over the mid-lake humps are producing some nice fish, especially in depths of 15 to 25 feet. During lowlight hours, work shallower depths. The back bays are still providing some action but anglers are taking mostly northern pike and largemouth bass.

Lake Superior anglers and charter boats are taking nice numbers of walleye since this is the time of year when walleye fishing heats up on Lake Superior. The best tactic is to first utilize electronics and locate fish before you begin fishing. Once located, pull brightly-colored crank baits behind planer boards through the marked area. North Shore anglers continue to take good catches of lake trout along with a few salmon when using riggers off-shore in deeper waters. Even a few bonus trophy-size walleye are showing up.  

The walleye bite has been decent on the St. Louis River, but most fish have been on the smaller side. If you find yourself in a school of smaller fish you may want to speed up and upsize your bait presentation. This can dissuade the smaller fish and trigger the bigger fish. Crank baits and live bait are working equally well. Catfish continue remain active in the river, with an occasional perch or northern pike also being taken. Muskie angling continues to be a constant on the river as well.

Just a reminder: Please make sure you do a thorough clean, drain and dry of your vessel before exiting the boat launch. Plugs should be out, and any vegetation or other type of specimens should be free from the trailer, boat and truck. We all need to do what we can to protect our fisheries. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

It has been a strong week of summer walleye fishing with numerous patterns taking place. Jigging with frozen shiners or leeches, drifting with spinners and crawlers, and trolling crank baits have all been effective. The most productive depths remain 29 to 32 feet of water. The late summer pattern of good numbers of fish over the deep mud has arrived. Various reefs are holding walleye as well. Try the tops, sides and transition areas to the mud. 

Anglers report multiple species when fishing the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay. Pulling spinners and crank baits has been effective in finding fish at the river channel edges, holes and current breaks. Smallmouth bass are active around the rocks. The sturgeon “keep-one” season is going strong. 

Up at the Northwest Angle, an amazing number of walleye are being reported. Anglers are having the most success using spinners with crawlers, jigs and minnows, and trolled crank baits. The reefs and areas adjacent to reefs over the mud are good places to start. The smallies, large northern pike and muskie are also in the mix when fishing the island areas. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Walker - Leech Lake

Fishing has improved on Leech Lake as the yearly bug hatches finally to wind down and the walleye begin targeting other food sources. Many of the walleye in the cleaning shacks have had either small perch or crayfish in their stomach.

Anglers having the most success are trolling crank baits over the mud to sand transition areas. Try trolling at 2.0 to 2.5 mph in 12 to 16 feet of water near the Red Rocks Reef and Stony Point.
A lindy rig and leech has been producing well during low light hours on the break lines in Walker Bay. Start out in 7 to 9 feet of water and try to locate a school of fish with your electronics. Once found, follow the fish deeper as the sun rises higher in the sky.

The panfish are setting up nicely along the weed beds in Leech Lake and surrounding lakes. Moving along the weed lines with a 1/16th ounce jig and a panfish leech or part of a nightcrawler is sure to turn at least a few fish. Once found, anchor nearby and cast jigs or bobber rigs.

Muskie fishing is showing more signs of life. Anglers who are willing to put in the time have been putting some nice fish in the boat. Being persistent and casting buck tails and glide baits around the cabbage beds is producing a few fish. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Detroit Lakes

Late last week, the walleye were holding in 13 to 28 feet of water, shallower in the stained lakes and at the deeper weed edges in the clear lakes. The long bars, extending points and sunken islands all held fish. Rigging, jigging, pulling spinners and crank baits, and jigging raps were working well.

The crappies were roaming the flats in 9 to 13 feet of water, with many relating to the cabbage weeds. Sunfish were active at the weed patches, but some of the bigger bluegill were coming from water as deep as 24 feet off the sharp beaks.

Bass were also relating to the weeds out on the edges of the large flats or extending shoreline points.

A few large northern pike were pulled from the edges and first breaks to deep water and basin areas. Muskie catches had improved, with fish chasing high-action baits. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Brainerd Area Lakes

Walleye continue to respond to multiple presentations. There is still a very good weed line bite for anglers trolling small crank baits, blades and slow-death rigs on Gull, North Long, Alexander and many smaller lakes.  Some fish are starting to school up on the mid-lake structure, hitting jigging raps and live bait rigs with pumped up crawlers.  

Bass are very active under the docks and out deep. Bluegills can be found off any tip of a point. Crappies are still fairly nocturnal, but some day action is starting to take place with fish found suspended off the deep structure. The northern pike bite has slowed a bit, but anglers continue to take some fish when trolling sucker minnows just off the weed lines. 800-450-7247; www.visitbrainerd.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Some of the most recent reports from charter boat guides and bait shops show that nice numbers of walleye continue to be taken, and the smallmouth bass bite remains very strong. One walleye was over 30-inches, and many of the bass ran 20- to 21-inches. Areas mentioned for bass and walleye were the deeper water rock pile humps and deep mud. One lucky anglers took a 53-inch muskie last week while deep water trolling on the flats. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Three Rivers Park District - Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey and Scott counties

The Three Rivers Park District offers fishing at 18 parks in the Twin Cities area with a chance to reel in muskie, northern pike, sunfish, bass and walleye. Launch your boat at a lake access site, rent a boat or stay on land as you fish from a pier or on shore. There are also free fishing adventures. Learn more!    

Stillwater - St. Croix River

The St. Croix River is giving up a variety of species. Walleye and sauger are being taken on a number of presentations such as crank baits, live bait rigs, spinners, slow-death hooks and jigging lures. While the walleye bite has slowed a bit, lots of sauger continue to hit.

The channel and flathead catfish have been very active and should remain so into through the summer. Muskie and crappies are also great species to target this time of year. 651/351-1717; www.discoverstillwater.com

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

On July 21, the Stream Flow Map showed flood levels throughout southeastern Minnesota. But on July 22, fisheries staff reported that the streams were quickly clearing up.  

As of today, July 25, National Trout Center staff expect excellent fishing today through the weekend!

Fly anglers are encouraged to check out Free Fly Tying Fridays at the National Trout Center in Preston.

And consider attending the Twin Cities Trout Unlimited Fish Camp at Whitewater State Park, August 2-4. Participants will enjoy fishing, as well as lessons and instruction, camping, children’s activities, snacks and four meals.

For years, the MN DNR has maintained assessable fishing sites in Whitewater State Park, near the Lanesboro Hatchery on Duschee Creek, and at the Lanesboro Park and Dam. Online maps are available.   

Before you go, check out the DNR’s Stream Flow Report for the most current conditions, as well as the "Area Highlights" section of the Lanesboro Area Fisheries web page for stream maps. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com

Subscribe here to receive any or all of Explore Minnesota Tourism's updates by email.

Be sure to visit the Deals section of ExploreMinnesota.com to learn of the latest discounts and specials!

Have something else in mind?
Our expert travel counselors can help!