Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Oct. 3, 2019

Fall color on Lower Pauness Lake in the BWCA / Gary Hamer

The bite continually improves as water temperatures drop further. Anglers are taking the majority of walleye and other fish species on jig and minnow combinations. Please remember that both the air and water temperatures are dropping fast so dress appropriately and be sure to wear a life jacket.

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

Late fall fishing has always been very good, however, many anglers are discouraged because of fewer daylight hours and colder temperatures. Yet, these are the reasons that fish begin to feed more aggressively. Just add an extra layer or two, and sleep in a bit since the fish will still be hungry during midday hours! Anglers fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike will want to concentrate on areas with structure such as the rocky shorelines and submerged reefs. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

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

High winds and stormy weather have kept most anglers off Lake Superior this week. The storms have left the streams running high, fast and dirty making for very challenging conditions. Anglers have been mostly non-existent.

The St. Louis River has also been affected, with muddy waters looking like chocolate milk in many areas of the system. Between the high water, fast current, murky color and floating debris, it may be some time until anglers venture back out onto the river.

The inland lakes are the best option for anglers. Crappies and a few walleye continue to be pulled from the deep water near lumber and other types of structure. Live bait and/or soft plastics jigged or drifted seem to be the best tactics. This is the time of year where live bait becomes increasingly more effective.

Please remember that both the air and water temperatures are dropping fast so dress for the occasion and be sure to wear a life jacket. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Walleye fishing has picked up on several lakes in the Grand Rapids area now that water temperatures have dropped to the mid to upper 50s. Big Splithand, Trout, Big Jesse and Deer lakes are giving up nice numbers of fish. A jig and minnow combination has been the bait of choice, but several anglers have also done well when trolling shad raps after dark. The Mississippi River has been kicking out nice walleye as well. Again, anglers are having the most success using a jig and minnow.

Northern pike has also picked up, with some area lakes turning out trophy-sized fish in the mid-30 inch range. Lakes to check out include Spider and North Star. Many of these trophy pike are being caught by muskie anglers throwing large baits.

Crappies are starting to show up in their fall locations and anglers are catching nice-size fish on Splithand, Cutfoot, Pokegama, Rice, Spider and several other area lakes. Small jigs tipped with a minnow and fished vertically over schools of crappies is often the ticket. Fall fishing is in full swing in the Grand Rapids area! www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Good numbers of walleye are being taken along the south shore of Lake of the Woods. There are schools of walleye in many locations including a large school in front of Lighthouse Gap at the mouth of the Rainy River in 24 to 29 feet of water. Anglers are also taking fish at Long Point, Rocky Point and Garden Island, as well as in front of Zippel Bay. Anchored up and using gold, orange, glow or pink jigs tipped with a live or frozen shiner has been best. 

Emerald shiners and walleye are abundant in the Rainy River. Anglers are reporting good numbers at the mouth of the river at Wheeler's Point upstream 42 miles to Birchdale, with waves of walleye moving through periodically. Jigging and pulling crank baits have been the most productive techniques. Good walleye fishing continues in Four Mile Bay. Sturgeon anglers are taking nice numbers of sturgeon.

Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing remains good, especially at Garden Island, the points with current, neck-down areas and at the mouths of the bays where large schools of shiners are running. Jigging has been very effective as water temperatures cool further. The crappie bite has also been good. Muskie fishing remains strong. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish

On Lake Winnibigoshish, anglers are taking nice numbers of walleye from the flats in 8 to 15 feet of water.  A spinner or jig tipped with a minnow is working best for most of the walleye.

The west side points, such as Raven’s and Sugar, have been great for numbers of perch in 6 to 10 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting spoons in 10 to 12 feet of water throughout the lake. www.lakewinnie.net

Walker - Leech Lake

Fishing is picking up on Leech Lake now that water temperatures are hovering near the 60 degree mark. Temperatures are a bit warmer in Walker Bay. Traditional fall hot spots such as Big Hardwoods, Duck and Ottertail points are giving up walleye in 6 to 10 feet of water. Bear Island, Battle and Grassy are also producing fish, and will continually improve into October.

Perch fishing has been great in the Cedar Point, Sand Point and Shingobee Island areas. Muskie reports continue to come in each day from anglers fishing the remaining green weeds and pencil reed patches throughout the lake and in the bays. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Central Region

Otter Tail Area Lakes

The water clarity is shifting from clear summertime conditions dotted with algae to somewhat stained and murky. On some lakes, it seems like the cloudy water has increased fish activity.

As the water temperatures drop into the 50s, expect fish to relocate. Most species still gravitate toward the weed growth, including northern pike, bass, walleye and some panfish. Most of the large panfish can be found at the deep weed edges, and it’s not uncommon to find crappies and sunnies in 25 feet of water. As fall continues, panfish will slide deeper where they are more detectable on graphs and sonar. Look for them suspended over deeper areas as “blobs” or “stacks.”  They may also appear to be matted just above the muddy basin areas or pressed up against the deep weed edges.

Walleye can be detected on sonar as well so concentrate on these fish. This is in contrast to early and mid-September when a lot of the walleye were not showing up on the flasher or graph. 

Large northern pike are on the prowl, and anglers are landing fish up to 39-inches long. Northerns are cruising the weed lines and responding to most presentations. For numbers of large pike, troll or cast large pike baits and muskie lures, or pull large sucker minnows around and near areas with dense weed patches adjacent to drop-offs and edges. Bass are beginning to hang on the steep breaks and banks. If you find them on the steep ledges, they will likely be schooled up and eager to bite. Cast deep-diving crank baits at them and hold on. Throwing slower stuff at bass will work too, but it’s a good time of the year for crank baits. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com

Brainerd Area Lakes

Walleye fishing has been inconsistent recently. Some larger fish are coming out of Gull Lake, and some good numbers are coming out of Hubert and North Long lakes. Most fish are coming from a variety of depths ranging from 15 to 45 feet. Larger minnows have been great choices, but vertically jigging rippin’ raps, jigging raps and hair jigs have also worked well.

Crappies are starting to transition to the deeper basin holes where tube jigs, a jig and minnow, and small jigging raps are working well.  Larger bluegills can be found on the weedlines in 8 to 15 feet of water. For the most fish, use plastics or chunks of night crawlers with ice fishing jigs. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

The smallmouth bass are eager to bite on Lake Mille Lacs. Most of the bass are coming from either the deeper rocks or shallow flats in anywhere from 8 to 20 feet of water. Slip bobbers with leeches or crawlers worked over the rocky areas are turning fish, and setting the bait closer to the bottom has been helpful. A variety of lure choices have also proven successful such as swim baits, stick baits, drop shots and ned rigs.

Northern pike have been very 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 resembles tulibee or jumbo perch. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Willmar

Fall fishing is back on track as water temperatures begin to cool once again. Look for crappies and walleye in roughly 15 feet of water and along the weedlines on Diamond, Big Kandiyohi, Green, Norway, Florida and Eagle lakes. Successful anglers are using a fathead minnow.

The bass have been eager to bite on Eagle Lake. Anglers fishing for perch will want to check out Big Kandiyohi Lake. For large, hungry sunfish, head to Green Lake. For a variety of species, including sunfish, crappies, walleye and northern pike, choose Lake Florida. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Encourage kids to take an interest in fishing by bringing them to Fort Snelling State Park on Saturday, Oct. 26, for Go-n-Seine. The MN DNR uses special nets, seine nets, to study fish populations. This seining program will demonstrate how these nets are used and how habitat and water quality affect different fish species. Dress for the weather and meet at Shelter A on Picnic Island. Signs will be posted. No registration required.

Stillwater - St. Croix River

Autumn temperatures are most likely here to stay, causing an increase in action for most species. Walleye, white bass and sauger are eager to bite in deep waters so this is time to use jigs. Vertical jigging in the fall is generally best in rivers and lakes since fish are holding deeper and a boat can sit or drift right over the fish. 651-351-1717; www.discoverstillwater.com

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

As of Sept. 27, more rain was expected over the weekend. Anglers were seeing some blue-winged olives trapped in spider webs along the stream. Hoppers were around visible nearly everywhere. The fish were coloring up nicely for the spawn. 

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

The fall walleye bite has begun on Big Stone Lake with lots of nice fish being reported! 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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