Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Sept. 10, 2020

Fall fishing on an iron ore pit lake near Virginia      

The walleye bite continues to improve as water temperatures drop. Jigs tipped with minnows are starting to turn the majority of fish, however, jigs and live bait rigs with crawlers are also producing well. Low light hours remain the best times to fish.

Anglers are asked to fish bodies of water close to home, and practice social distancing at the boat landings and shorelines. Learn more about safer ways to travel at Explore Minnesota's COVID-19 Information page.  

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

Kabetogama

The walleye remain very active on Lake Kabetogama. Some anglers continue to do well fishing the weed edges, but even more anglers are having success in deeper waters ranging from 12 to 20 feet deep. For the most walleye, use a jig and minnow combination, or a lindy rig with live bait such as half of a crawler. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Ely

Walleye fishing has been challenging for anglers due to several cold fronts and high winds this week, but some anglers have been able to locate and catch walleye. The best action has been in 10 feet of water or less along the windblown shorelines. Jigs and minnows have been the top producers, but some fish have also come in on jigs and crawlers. As water temperatures continue to fall into the 50s, the minnow bite will really heat up.

Smallmouth bass anglers have also struggled due to inclement weather, but there have been a few reports of good topwater fishing during early morning hours. Whopper ploppers and hula poppers accounted for the most topwater action. Anglers also took some nice smallies when fishing on top of the sunken islands with a jig and big minnow.

Northern pike anglers reported good fishing, but most pike were on the smaller side. The best location was inside the weed beds and around the river mouths. Large spoons, spinnerbaits and in-line spinners were very effective.

As water temperatures drop, stream trout rise up and start cruising the shorelines with stream trout anglers reporting good trout fishing from shore. The best presentations have been floating a crawler off the bottom and casting small spoons. Small jigs and twisters fished around the downed trees or near the large flats has also been effective. Early morning and late evening hours have been the most productive. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

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

The inland lakes and reservoirs continue to offer the best chances for success. The walleye seem to be hugging the windblown shorelines and mid-lake structure. Low light periods remain the best times to fish, but a great midday bite is right around the corner. For now, slowly drag live bait through 10-20 feet of water during the day, and shallower during low light hours. Northern pike and bass are very active at the weed edges and deep transitional areas.

More fish are moving into the St. Louis River from Lake Superior. Muskie and big pike anglers are reporting some good catches and follows in different sections of the river. The walleye remain somewhat tight-lipped, but anglers are taking some fish from areas near the deep channel edges. If you catch a walleye, stay put since the fish are schooling. To draw attention and trigger an aggressive reaction bite, rip jigging rattling traps. Crappies and smallmouth bass are starting to hit more frequently, and soon it will be hard to keep them off your hook! For now, bass anglers will want to cast crank baits and try different retrieve cadences to find what’s most effective. 

Lake Superior charter captains are reporting mixed success. Large lake trout can be found when using big, bright and flashy spoons. Flasher fly combinations are also turning fish. Depths of 100-200 feet of water have been best, and electronics have been very helpful to mark ideal depths, water temperatures and bait fish movement. If you see bait fish on the graph, be sure to mark the area and swing back if fish aren’t biting immediately. Most of the larger lakers and other species seem to be eating a mixture of herring and late bug larvae hatches. Although lakers dominate the catch, don't be surprised to tangle with a few salmon, steelhead, browns and bonus walleye. Stream fishing remains consistent with the usual brookies and browns coming in on small spinner baits. Some stream anglers are starting to see an occasional chinook, steelhead and other Lake Superior fish. Look for these numbers to increase in the near future. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Water temperatures continue to drop and fall fishing is ramping up in on Grand Rapids area lakes. The fall jig bite is already turning walleye. Changing the cadence and making the jig dart around can make a huge difference. Adding a minnow, half of crawler or plastic body will entice hungry walleye to bite. Some lakes to concentrate on over the next few weeks are Big Jessie, Big Cutfoot, Winnibigoshish, Big Splithand, Moose and Bowstring.
Crappies are beginning to move into their fall locations. Check lakes with good numbers of crappies to get an idea of where they are setting up for fall and winter. Crappie lakes to fish now through ice up are Big and Little Splithand, Loon, Sand, Cutfoot, Bass, Trout and Sand. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

On the south end of Lake of the Woods, anglers are taking lots of eating-size walleye from 7-15 feet of water along the calmer shorelines. Most walleye continue to come in on crawler harnesses, but crank baits are also turning fish. Lots of larger trophy-size walleye are being pulled from depths of 24-36 feet out over the mud. Recent cold nights have caused water temperatures to drop into the mid-60s. Expect jigging techniques to take over very soon. 

On the Rainy River, small emerald shiners moved into the river this week and walleye anglers are taking some fish when jigging frozen shiners. Most of the walleye are scattered on the flats and along the breaks. Trolling crank baits or crawler harnesses is also still effective, with anglers reporting a mixed bag of walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass and northern pike. There are numerous great boat accesses to fish the Rainy. Learn more at Beautiful Rainy River Public Access Locations.

Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing remains strong. Most of the walleye are being pulled from 10-25 feet of water on spinners tipped with crawlers or minnows, but trolled crank baits and jigging are also producing fish. Watch your electronics for scattered schools in many locations. Large northern pike are being caught by unsuspecting walleye anglers. Muskie are hitting spinners and topwater lures in the bays and at the rocky points. Smallmouth bass are coming from depths of 5-15 feet at the rocks. Until the U.S./Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake and stay in Minnesota waters. Learn more at Boating to the Northwest Angle. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish

As of late last week, Lake Winnibigoshish was giving up nice numbers of walleye and perch in depths of 4-8 feet, with a few fish caught deeper. The wind-swept shoreline points produced well, as did areas with shallow weed cover. Surface water temperatures has dropped to the mid-60s. While most anglers were still fishing with spinners, many were switching over to jig and minnow presentations. Crappie anglers were also having success when trolling the weed edges with spinners. Once a school of fish was located, the best tactic was to toss out a lightweight jig and small plastic. www.lakewinnie.net

Detroit Lakes

As of late last week, water temperatures in Detroit Lakes area lakes were hovering around 70 degrees. The walleye continued to hold on the deep structure in the deeper, clearer lakes. Some fish, however, had moved to the edges and shoreline breaks. Jigs and rigs tipped with minnows were beginning to turn more fish.

Muskie activity was picking up in area muskie lakes. Smallmouth bass remained deep on Cormorant, White Earth and Pelican lakes, but holding in the shallow hard bottom areas on Island and Lida lakes. Largemouth bass were in the shallows, relating to the first break weedlines. Crappies continued to bite on many area lakes at the edges of the flats in depths of 7-15 feet of water. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Alexandria Area Lakes

As of late last week, bass remained extremely active at the deep weedlines on many Alexandria area lakes. Crappies could also be found at the deep weedlines. Walleye anglers had the most success when fishing the sunken islands and sunken humps on the deeper area lakes. 800-245-2539; www.explorealex.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Smallmouth bass fishing has been excellent on Lake Mille Lacs, with a 6-pound, 9-ounce smallie recently taken.

Check out current lake conditions at the Mille Lacs Lake Webcams web page. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Willmar

Fishing is heating up in the Willmar Lakes Area as water temperatures cool. Walleye have been active from 5:30-7:30pm on Ringo, Green and Eagle lakes. Jigs and rigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers are starting to turn the majority of fish.

Crappie action has been good in 15 feet of water on Long Lake. Expect crappie activity to heat up on Foot Lake near the culverts by the fairgrounds very soon.

Big Kandiyohi Lake has been good for lots of active perch on the northeast side of the lake. Anglers report lots of sunfish coming from 17 feet of water on Point Lake, as well as from shore on Nest Lake. As air temperatures continue to cool, fall fishing should only improve! 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

If you’d like to rent a boat to fish Twin Cities area waters, check out the many boat rental options on the Explore Minnesota boating web page.

Stillwater - St. Croix River

Fall is nearly here and the deeper waters are starting to offer more stability due to quickly cooling upper water levels. The more fragile shad baitfish head deeper in the fall so the walleye, saugers, catfish, bass and sturgeon generally follow suit. This is the time of year when a wide variety of fish species are caught and the sizes range quite a bit. As shad numbers drop, the bite will heat up. 651-351-1717; www.discoverstillwater.com

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams

The flow on most streams and creeks is low and the water is somewhat off in color. Some anglers are still having success using flashy streamers and ant fly patterns. Some notable brown trout measuring more than 20 inches were recently taken. 

Be sure to check the Weekly Minnesota Stream Flow Maps for updates before you head out. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com

Ortonville - Big Stone Lake

The perch bite on Big Stone Lake has been excellent and will only get better until ice up. Anglers also report of lots of nice bluegills, with a few 10-plus inch fish being taken. 320-839-3284; www.bigstonelake.com

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

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