Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Oct. 8, 2020

Fall fishing on Lake Pokegama in Grand Rapids / Stephen Kornacki

Fall fishing continues to improve in most waters and a variety of species are eager to bite. Many species are returning to their usual spring locations where spring presentations are working well. Walleye anglers report lots of nice eating-size fish, along with some large trophy-size fish. Other species that are actively feeding include crappies, perch and northern pike. Jigs and rigs tipped with minnows remain the most effective presentations.

Learn about great fall fishing in Minnesota at Fall is Prime Time for Fishing. Muskie anglers will want to check out Catch a Massive Muskie in Minnesota this Fall.

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

Ely

Anglers struggled to get out last week due to rain and cold air temperatures. The few anglers that did head out reported decent walleye action out around the sunken islands and up on the large, shallow windblown flats. Larger minnows on lindy rigs seemed to be the key to success. Water temperatures are now holding in the mid-50s, so the best fishing is yet to come.

Northern pike remain aggressive and eager to bite, however, many are on the smaller side. Anglers having the most success are using large sucker minnows under a bobber around the river mouths, weedlines or shallow, rocky points. As water temperatures continue to drop, the rocky points will become even more productive.

Shore anglers fishing for stream trout are reporting good to excellent catches. Nightcrawlers set 5-15 feet under a bobber have been very effective, with small spoons and spinners also turning lots of trout. For the most action, work the sharp drop-offs, large rocky flats or downed trees. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

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

A great panfish bite is being reported on the inland lakes. The best presentation has been a 1/16-ounce jig tipped with small chunks of crawlers worked in depths of 10-15 feet of water. Ideal areas have been near mud and old vegetation areas. Don’t be surprised if nap a few crappies or an occasional northern pike. Bass have been attacking a variety of presentations but whacky rigging and drop shotting seem to be working best, especially in the windswept areas. Walleye have also been very active, responding best to typical spring presentations worked off the deeper sides of the sunken reefs.

The St. Louis River has a very diverse bite taking place. A number of species continue to move into the river. These fish have been eager to bite, especially during late afternoon hours. Fan-casting double-jointed stick baits at the shallow channel edges is turning some nice walleye, with a few northern pike and bass also being taken. Big muskie and pike continue to show up for those targeting them by casting oversized soft plastics and/or slowly dragging big sucker minnows. Anglers working the bottom areas of 8-14 feet of water with live bait rigs such as a 1/8-ounce jig tipped with a minnow or plastic are taking some catfish, crappies and a few walleye. Not every day is the same, so plan to have other rods rigged differently and don't be afraid to change tactics.     

Lake Superior angling has slowed down and most of the big lake charter captains have docked their boats for the season. Stream fishing continues to gain strength, with anglers reporting some nice river trout and salmon. This bite will continually improve. Big lake brown trout are making an appearance, and swinging flies or casting smaller spoons has been best. Never rush the retrieve since stream fish can and will hit at your feet as long as you are still and silent. Please be courteous of other anglers, especially as we move further into the prime stream fishing season. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Walleye fishing has kicked into high gear. Many lakes in the Grand Rapids area producing good catches of walleye, especially Big Winnie and Cutfoot. Some larger trophy-size fish and lots of nice eating-size fish are being reported. Other are lakes that walleye anglers will want to check include Big Splithand, Moose and Jessie, along with the Mississippi River.

Crappies are showing up in their fall locations. Anglers are doing well when using electronics to locate schools then fishing them vertically with small jigs tipped with minnows or plastics. Size #5 jigging raps are a great choice for catching crappies when you locate suspended schools of fish. Lakes to consider for great crappie action include Cutfoot, Little Cutfoot, Little Ball Club, Pokegama, Graves and Bowstring. Perch fishing has been very good now that fish have moved shallow into the shallows with the walleye. For the most perch, use small jigs and minnows, especially in areas with weeds and shallow rocks. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

The traditional fall jig bite for walleye remains good on the south end of Lake of the Woods. There are various schools of walleye across the lake. A good place to start is either 9-15 feet of water or 22-29 feet of water adjacent to the rivers, creeks and bays. For the most walleye, anchor and jig over the side of the boat with a frozen shiner or fathead minnow. Decent walleye reports are also coming from Four Mile Bay in 10-15 feet of water. Northern pike have been very active in the bays and along the shorelines.

On the Rainy River, anglers catching some nice walleye but the fast walleye bite has not yet occurred. Anglers having success are either jigging with frozen shiners or trolling crank baits. Sturgeon anglers are doing well at the deeper holes with current. There have been good reports of smallmouth bass action as well. Please note that the current and the water level on the river remain low.

Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye are responding well to jigs and minnows worked at the structure with a bit of current in 8-24 feet of water. The best jig colors have been gold, pink, chartreuse and any of the glow colors. Some crappies are being pulled from 15-30 feet of water adjacent to structure. Muskie anglers are reporting some good action when trolling crank baits or casting jerk baits into the bays with cabbage. Water temperatures have dropped into the mid-50s.  

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

On Lake Winnibigoshish, jigs and minnows are turning good numbers of walleye at the shoreline breaks and points in less than 10 feet of water. Perch action also is strong with nice numbers of eating-size fish being caught on minnows worked in 6 to 8 feet along the shorelines. For nice-size northern pike, troll spoons or minnows through depths of 10 to 12 feet. www.lakewinnie.net

Walker - Leech Lake

Fishing on Leech Lake has been very good. Walleye are moving shallow to the sand and rocks, similar to spring locations. Anglers having the most success are snap-jigging 1/8-ounce jigs and minnows in 4-10 feet of water at the windblown shorelines, points, flats and reefs. If you find a pod of walleye, pitch your jigs and minnows to them. Areas to check out on the east end of the lake include Bear Island, Five Mile, Battle and Partridge Point, especially when wind is blowing from the west. On the west end of the lake, focus on The Hardwoods, Duck, Ottertail, Pine and Stoney. The deeper structure in Walker Bay continues to give up walleye to anglers rigging large creek chubs and redtails, with jig rapping also turning some fish.  

Perch fishing remains to be strong on the sand and weed flats in 3-8 feet of water. Jigs and minnows are turning lots of fish, with walleye often mixed in with the perch.

The tullibee are heading shallow to spawn and this can be a great time for muskie anglers to head out. Late season open water trolling is also something to consider. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Park Rapids

Fall crappie fishing is in full swing throughout the Park Rapids area. Anglers are finding lots of nice fish over the deep holes in 25-40 feet of water, as well as at the deep muddy basins in 20-30 feet of water. Anglers catching the most fish by vertically jigging a 1/8-ounce jigs tipped with a fathead minnow, or a white #5 jigging rapala. Be prepared to reel in some large bluegills as well. When targeting bluegill, you may want to downsize your bait. Electronics are extremely helpful in locating schools of fish. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

Walleye have moved away from the sharp edges to the hard sand bottom areas in 24-35 feet of water on the deeper area lakes. Walleye can also be found just outside the weeds off the large flats in 12-18 feet of water on the deep and shallow area lakes. Anglers having the most success are using rigs and jigs tipped with minnows.

Muskie anglers are having some success when casting, trolling or rigging big sucker minnows. This bite has steadily increased as water temperatures drop.

The crappie bite has also improved. Most of the crappies are coming off the sharp breaks, suspending in schools over depths of 18-25 feet. Small jigs tipped with high action plastic tails or fathead minnows are producing well.

Smallmouth bass are moving to the rock piles and gravel bars where they are feeding aggressively. Largemouth bass remain shallow at the inside or outside weed edges. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Otter Tail Area Lakes

Fall is one of the best times to fish since the bite picks up and the fish become more predictable. Look for schools of walleye on the deeper sides of the humps. The long points and inside turns often hold the larger groups of fish. The easiest way to put fish in the boat is to use a #7 or #9 glow or UV jigging rap. A jig and minnow will also turn fish. Depths of 40 feet are generally best following the fall lake turnover. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

As of late last week, fishing on Lake Mille Lacs had really taken off do to a drop in water temperatures. Anglers reported taking lots of nice walleye and good numbers of monster smallmouth bass.

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

Willmar

The water temperatures have cooled and the fish are biting throughout the Willmar Lakes Area! Active walleye are being pulled from roughly 10 feet of water on Ringo, Norway and Solomon lakes. Northern pike have also been eager to bite, especially in depths of 5-10 feet. Crappies are being pulled from waters a bit deeper on jigs and live bait rigs tipped with creek chubs or larger minnows. The bass are holding in the deep weeds, responding well to live bait rigs. Other lakes to consider this week include Elizabeth, Nest, Eagle, Green and Diamond. 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.

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams

The stream trout catch-and-release season is in effect Sept. 15, 2020 through Oct. 15, 2020 in Dodge, Goodhue, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties.

The stream trout catch-and-release season is open Sept. 16, 2020 through April 16, 2021 within these state parks: Beaver Creek Valley (East Beaver Creek); Forestville (Forestville Creek, Canfield Creek, South Branch Root River) and Whitewater (Middle Branch Whitewater River, Trout Run Creek); and also within the city boundaries of Chatfield, Lanesboro, Preston, Rushford and Spring Valley.

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 fall bite on Big Stone Lake has been excellent with lots of nice-size perch being taken.  This is a great opportunity to introduce kids to fishing! Don’t miss out on the great fall fishing and beautiful fall color show! 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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