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Friday Fishing report
Here's the latest
Lake of the Woods
Fishing remains great on Lake of the Woods. Most anglers are catching fish by pulling spinners with crawlers or leeches through 30-32 feet of water in Big Traverse. Limits, along with some large and trophy-sized fish, have been the norm. Gold, chartreuse and orange are good colors for blades. Anglers who preferred pulling plugs or jigging also caught walleyes. Schools of walleye can be found scattered from The Lighthouse Gap to Rocky Point and up to Garden Island. 800-382-FISH
Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea
A lot of smaller walleyes are being caught but there are still some nice fish in the 17- to 19-inch range being caught.
Jigs and minnows seem to be outfishing artificial baits as of late.
On Lake Sakakawea the story is variety. Some solid walleyes coming out of 25-40 feet of water on bottom bouncers and spinners tipped with crawlers and leaches.
Don’t be afraid, however, to work shallow areas pitching raps or light jigs, especially around weed and grass lines and trees.
A day on the lake as of late will produce everything from walleye, pike, perch, smallmouth bass and white bass.
There haven’t been a lot of reports of anglers pulling crank baits around the lake because live bait rigs have been producing so well.
Reports are walleyes are coming out of anywhere from 5-40 feet of water; and that’s a lot of water to cover.
Start shallow early in the day then work deeper as the day warms up. And along with variety, the other word is versatile.
Detroit Lakes
As of late last week, fishing pressure was down, yet walleye action remained high. Fishing should remain good with this week's cooler temperatures. Water temperatures remain in the high 70s to low 80s. Walleye are holding off the deep weed edges in 22-32 feet of water off main lake points and mid-lake humps. Some walleye are up on the flats chasing young perch in 1-11 feet of water. Panfish are active in the weeds of Rock, Shell, Toad, & Tamarac lakes. Bass are aggressive at the weed edges and near the docks on Cotton, Floyd, McDonaldand, and both Long lakes. Northern pike have been active on most area lakes, with many measuring 20- to 26-inches. Big Detroit Lake has had many reports of 40- to 50-inch muskie. 800-542-3992
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Anglers continue to do well on Otter Tail Lake. Crankbaits worked in 6-8 feet of water from 8:00 pm until around 3:00 am have produced lots of nice fish--be sure to bring some coffee! Nightcrawlers and spinners during the day are producing some fish in 15-25 feet of water. Panfish are active in depths of 12-14 feet of water, with orange feather jigs working best. Bass remain very active, hitting buzz baits and Sally jigs. 800-423-4571
Ortonville
Anglers are having a great time with the perch and white bass on Big Stone Lake. Walleye action has slowed a bit, but fish continue to be taken. Limits of perch are varied in size, but many anglers have set the bar at 9 1/2-inches or larger, working a bit harder to take their limit of 15 perch. While some anglers continue to use walleye fishing techniques to catch the larger perch, other anglers have switched to anchoring and dropping a line over the side of the boat. Crawlers continue to be the bait of choice, but more minnows, spikes and waxworms are being used. Most perch are hovering in cooler water depths of 11-13 feet, just off the bottom. Some anglers are determined to catch their limit of walleye, and having success trolling crankbaits during early morning and early evening hours. Casting around the points and along weedlines is producing a few walleye as well, especially when there is a little wind. White bass offer the best action on the lake. The population is so plentiful that there is no limit. The size of these fish varies, but casting or trolling should get you some nice 2- to 3-pounders for a good dinner. 800-568-5722
