Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Sept. 26, 2019

Fall fishing on a lake along the Lake Country Scenic Byway

The bite is picking up now that water temperatures are on the decline once again. Anglers are having the most success when using a jig and minnow combination.

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 & the Rainy River

The weather has kept most anglers off Rainy Lake, but those that have ventured out have found walleye and crappies in Black Bay, especially at the structure around the islands and shorelines. Shiner minnows are working best. Walleye anglers are doing well on the Rainy River because of the annual influx of walleye following the run of shiner minnows. Again, shiner minnow are your best bet, and most of fish have been found along the weedy edges of the wider bends in the river. Expect to take some bass as well. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

A more stable weather pattern has emerged and fishing has taken a turn for the better on Lake Kabetogama. Begin your search at traditional fall hot spots for all species, especially crappies, which have more defined target areas.  Walleye, northern pike, crappies and bass have all been eager to bite. The walleye bite has been best when using lindy rigs and minnows in 20 to 32 feet of water and on breezy days. Also check depths of 9 to 12 of water using spinner and crawlers.

Nice numbers of large northern pike are also being taken, with one northern measuring 44 inches taken over the weekend. For the most action, fish the rock piles using sucker minnows under a large bobber in 12 to 20 feet of water. Fall color is nearing its peak, and it is beautiful throughout the area. Plan a trip to Voyageurs National Park and enjoy great fishing, hiking and boating! 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Ely

Fall has arrived, and cooler temperatures are causing the bite to heat up! Walleye are beginning to migrate towards deeper waters as opposed to the shallows where they have been prowling for the past couple of months. This is prime time to break out deep-running crank baits. Some anglers are seeing an uptick in catch rates as they probe the depths for many species, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and crappies. Crawler harnesses remain a good option since you are able to present these at any depth.

Smallmouth bass anglers are having success using sub-surface lures, including crank baits and soft plastics, especially when worked along and around the mid-lake rock piles. Don’t give up on surface lures, however, as these can be very effective later in the day. Consider using a wacky-rigged worm along the shorelines and weed edges. These can be weighted to work down to 20 feet or so in the water column.

Crappie action has been sporadic, but this is the time of year when they really begin to bunch up and feed voraciously along the deep weed edges. Small crappie minnows work well for most people, but anglers are beginning to see the effectiveness of small, soft plastics fished on a jig. This is a great option when you want to get your presentation right back into the water without rebaiting your hook, especially when  you’ve located a school of active biters. When the bite slows, start fan-casting to determine which way the school is moving.

Northern pike continue to hit spinner baits and spoons, but this is a great time of year to land some monster pike using crank baits. Larger lures are better since the newly baitfish are much larger than they were in the spring. More laid-back anglers continue to do well with live sucker minnows, and some are having success with dead bait such as a frozen smelt. Big fish don't get big by chasing things around, they are opportunistic and will readily pick up a lifeless bait on the bottom.

Lake trout anglers are still having success trolling crank baits and spoons in depths of 45 to 60 feet. This bite will continually improve as water temperatures drop further. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

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

Lake Superior is much quieter these days, but some North Shore anglers continue to find a mix of lakers and salmon when trolling flashy spoons and stick baits. Salmon and a few steelhead can be found closer to the tributary mouths on both shorelines of Lake Superior. Stream anglers are still dealing with faster, dirtier waters, but many are finding fish. The best approach is to seek out current breaks and stay patient as many fish are starting to migrate up the rivers. 

The St. Louis River has been challenging, but fishing should pick up this week. Live bait rigging has been best for the majority of fish. Anglers are seeing some migratory walleye.  

The inland waters continue to give up a nice bag of smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike, as well as a few panfish. Crappies are still roaming in schools off the weed breaks, but are also stationary on the lumber cribs. Don't be surprised to lock up with a walleye or two while fishing for crappies over the sunken crib areas. Smallmouth bass are aggressive, hitting soft plastics jigged near the rock and timber. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Walleye and other species are more eager to bite now that water temperatures are dropping once again. Walleye fishing has picked up on several area lakes including Splithand, Pokegama, Moose, Big Cutfoot and Round lakes, along with the Mississippi River. A jig and minnow combination has been the bait of choice, especially at the breaks in 12 to 18 feet of water around the deep edges of the weed beds and rock and gravel areas.

Crappie fishing has also been good, with Big Balsam, Splithand, Cutfoot, Bowstring, Big Jesse and Little Turtle lakes giving up nice numbers. A small jig tipped with minnow has been best. The fish are often found tight to the bottom so good electronics are very helpful. A slow presentation dragged on the bottom can be key to catching lots of crappies.

 www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

The south shore of Lake of the Woods has been good to anglers, with limits of walleye, including trophy-size fish, being taken. Walleye are staging along the south shore. For good numbers of fish, check the area in front of Lighthouse Gap (mouth of Rainy River) in 28 to 30 feet of water. Other productive areas include Zippel Bay, Long Point, Rocky Point and Garden Island. Anglers having success are using jigs while anchored. Gold, orange, glow and hot pink colors with a live or frozen shiner have been best. The water temperatures were in the low 60s earlier in the week.

On the Rainy River, there has been an increase in current due to abundant rainfall. Emerald shiners are in the river and have been for weeks. Good walleye fishing continues in Four Mile Bay, as well as upstream near Baudette. Sturgeon anglers are having success, with some big sturgeon being reported. 

Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye are being caught in various spots around Garden Island, the points with current, neck down areas and the mouths of the bays where shiners are running.  Large schools of shiners are showing up. Jigging and pulling spinners have both been effective. Crappie and perch action continues to pick up. Muskie fishing remains strong. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish

Active walleye are being pulled from the top of the bars on Lake Winnibigoshish during low light hours, and when the wind is blowing or it’s cloudy. During midday hours, the activity has been best off the bars in 25 to 32 feet of water. The jig and minnow bite is starting to improve as water temperatures drop further.

Perch remain scattered off the west side points in 12 to 15 feet of water, and at the bars in 20-plus feet of water. Northern pike are providing the most consistent actions, especially for anglers using spoons or crank baits in depths of 9 to 12 feet. www.lakewinnie.net

Park Rapids

Fall crappie fishing has been great throughout the Park Rapids area. The most successful anglers are concentrating on the deeper, muddy bottoms in depths of 19 to 25 feet. A 1/8 ounce jig tipped with a crappie minnow has been best, but it is important to watch your electronics to know how high off the bottom to keep your jig. 

Northern pike can be found chasing the crappies. For the most action, use a large sucker minnow on a live bait rig not far from the schooled crappies. Look for the walleye to be schooling near deep water on the steep drop-offs with shallow weeds nearby. A jigging rapala is usually the best presentation. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Central Region

Brainerd Area Lakes

Walleye anglers are doing fairly well on Edwards, North Long and Round lakes. Live bait rigs tipped with red tails have been the best presentation. A good night bite is taking place on Gull Lake, especially around midnight. Crappies are very active, with small tube jigs turning the majority of fish. Northern pike are feeding heavily on the weedlines. Anglers trolling muskie jerk baits are having lots of success. 800-450-7247; www.visitbrainerd.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

On Lake Mille Lacs, the smallmouth bass are getting into their fall patterns and more eager to bite. Most of the bass are coming from either the deeper rocks or shallow flats in anywhere from 8 to 20 feet of water. Launch boat captains are having success using slip bobbers with leeches or crawlers over the rocky areas. Setting the bait closer to the bottom has been helpful. A variety of lure choices have proven to be successful such as swim baits, stick baits, drop shots and ned rigs.

Northern pike remain active, but the muskie bite has slowed a bit. Pike anglers are doing well when using crank baits and jerk baits trolled along the weed lines in 8 to 16 feet of water. As water temperatures continue to drop, anglers will want to cast or troll larger, heavier rubber baits near the drop-offs and out on the flats. A good tip when trolling the flats is to use a bait that resemble tulibee or jumbo perch. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Willmar

The fish have turned more active with the falling water temperatures. Anglers report that the dam area on Lake Florida has been best for walleye, northern pike and panfish. Walleye and panfish action has also been good on Andrew and Norway lakes during evening hours, with the panfish responding well to crappie minnows. Some anglers are switching over to fathead minnows which are also turning fish. Depths of 15 feet are giving up walleye on Eagle and Green lakes, with bass coming from the shallows. Shore anglers are doing well near the culverts on Foot Lake and under the Nest Lake bridge. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Stillwater - St. Croix River

Lots of warm, sunny days have slowed the walleye bite on the St. Croix River, but now that more typical fall temperatures have arrived, the walleye and sturgeon bite is expected to really pick up. For some good walleye action, try a fathead minnow and a silver spinner blade trolled on the bottom. Minnows should be good for a number of species. 651/351-1717; www.discoverstillwater.com

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!   

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

Once again, narrow bands of heavy rainfall spread across much of the Driftless Region, making many streams too muddy to fish this upcoming weekend. The best prospects this week and weekend in southeast Minnesota will be the streams in Wabasha County, northern Winona County and northern Fillmore County since these streams remain mostly clear. By the weekend, the South Branch Whitewater, Trout Run and Rush should be much clearer and anglers may find hungry fish. Please note that the catch-and-keep trout season ended on Sept. 15.

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

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

Ortonville - Big Stone Lake

Some nice bass were weighed in at last weekend’s bass tournament on Big Stone Lake.  This was no surprise, as Big Stone has lots of big largemouth bass!  Anglers report that the perch bite has been excellent as well. 320-839-3284; www.bigstonelake.com

Be sure to visit the Explore Minnesota Fishing & Hunting page for information to help you plan your next Minnesota fishing trip!

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