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The Fearless Friday Fishing Forecast
Here is how it is looking this weekend.
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Although fishing was unpredictable during last weekend's rainy spell, it has progressively improved this week, with some nice walleye and sauger being taken. The bite has moved deeper, and fish can be found in 24-30 feet of water. Some of the better locations include just outside of Pine Island, the Lighthouse Gap, and the Morris Point/Graceton Beach area. Anchoring and jigging with 3/8-ounce jigs or a walleye spinner rig and 1 1 ½-ounce sinker has been best. Chubs and shiners are working well, but it would be a good idea to also bring along a few leeches and crawlers. Recommended colors include hammered gold with a flash of red, and gold and orange. At the Northwest Angle & Islands area, jigging with gold, chartreuse or pink jigs in 9-28 feet of water has worked wonders with the walleye. For the shallower fish, hit the windswept shorelines; areas relating to shoreline structure, underwater points, and inside turns have been productive. 800-382-FISH
Water temperatures in the Detroit Lakes area are hovering around 60-degrees due to last week's major cold front. Shiners remain good for walleye, but keep in mind that shiners will become harder to find now that the trapping has ended. Most fish can still be found at the shoreline breaks in 8-18 feet of water, depending on the amount of sun and wind. When the wind is blowing and on cloudy days, hit the shallows; on days with sun and/or flat water conditions, move deeper. Bass remain in the shallows, and crappies have not yet spawned. Northern pike are active everywhere at the shallow water flats close to cabbage weeds. Anglers wanting to avoid the crowds should keep in mind that there is a large walleye tournament on Pelican Lake this weekend. The forecast calls for warmer temperatures and more stable weather conditions so the leech and nightcrawler bite will continue to improve for walleye. The most productive color this week for all species of fish seems to be any shade of green. 800-542-3992
Central Region
Fishing remains great in the Otter Tail Lake area. Walleye continue to be pulled from 10-25 feet of water on crawlers and leeches. The night bite has also been good, with crankbaits turning fish in 5-8 feet of water. Sunnies and crappies are active on the smaller area lakes in depths as shallow as 3-8 feet. Last weekend's bass opener was excellent, with sally jigs producing lots of fish. 800-423-4571
The walleye bite remains excellent this week on Big Stone Lake. Anglers are also taking quite a few northern pike, white bass, largemouth bass, and an occasional perch. Walleye are responding best to spinners with crawlers, especially when worked around the islands and from the Shady Beach Supper Club on north to the Hartford Beach area. Some anglers are having success with a variety of fish when pulling crankbaits. Most walleye are coming from 7-9 foot depths, with a few found in 10-11 feet of water. Dock anglers using crappie rigs and slip bobbers with minnows report some smaller walleye, an abundance of white bass, and an occasional bullhead. 800-568-5722
