Minnesota Fishing Report

Here's your weekly Minnesota fishing report and podcast with CJ Johnson and the central Dakota outdoors report with Pat Stockdill

 

 

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 Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Lake of the Woods continues to produce large numbers of walleye, with trophy-sized fish being reported. Most fish are coming off of the mud flats in 30-33 feet of water, although reefs throughout the lake are also holding. The Lighthouse Gap, Graceton Beach, Long Point, Rocky Point, Knight and Bridges areas are all holding fish. Walleye and sauger are showing up throughout the lake, with the majority of fish being taken by anglers trolling crankbaits or drifting spinners and crawlers. Gold, chrome and brighter colors such as firetiger are working well. Some anglers are also catching fish in front of the gaps in 22-24 feet of water on jigs. At the Northwest Angled & Islands area, good numbers of larger walleye and hundreds of fish measuring 14- to 18-inches are being caught while jigging in the northern areas around the main lake humps and points. A minnow on a brightly-colored jig worked over 25-40 feet of water has been best. Most of the larger walleye are being taken by anglers trolling spinners across the mud flats, as well as by muskie anglers working the southern portion of the Northwest Angle! Muskie fishing has been excellent most of the summer. Overall, muskie are in the low 40-inch range, with several mid to upper 40-inch reported this week. A large variety of baits have been producing fish, however, it's been hard to beat classic lures such as mepps, marabou, suick, and topraider. 800-382-FISH

Park Rapids

Bluegill and crappie action has been great in 6-12 feet of water, with small jigs tipped with plastic bodies working very well--no need for live bait! Northern pike activity has fallen slightly, although some nice fish continue to be caught. As water temperatures cool further, expect the pike to become increasingly active. For now, a medium-sized sucker minnow attached to a 1/2-ounce brightly colored hair or feather jig worked in 10-16 feet of water has been tough to beat. Muskie have been active, with some trophy-sized fish being reported by anglers using traditional topwater baits. The key is to head out early and stay late. Walleye action has been stable. Most successful anglers are using crawlers on either a spinner or "slow-death" rig--walleye would general prefer minnows but the availability of river minnows has greatly declined. Leeches will work too, but again, finding decent-sized leeches has been difficult. During low light hours, troll crankbaits through the mid-depth waters. 800-247-0054

Detroit Lakes

This Friday's full moon should brighten the nighttime skies for a few days, providing a great opportunity for some late night walleye action. Crankbaits worked in 6-12 feet of water should work especially well under the full moon. Some anglers may have success using a lighted bobber on the rock piles and cabbage weed patches. The daytime bite is starting to transition to a minnow bite as fish turn hungry for young perch and sunfish that hatched earlier this year. Fish are generally found at the sharper breaks with deep-water access. Daytime walleye are coming from 16-26 foot depths off the points and mid-lake structure. Muskie anglers are having success throwing baits over the shallow flats and edges that have sharp breaks to deep water. Panfish are active in the weeds. Bass anglers are enjoying an active bite, and the smallmouth bass bite is picking up on Cormorant, Island, Lida, and McDonald lakes. 800-542-3992

   

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