Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing and Hunting Report 11-26-09

gengberg November 26th, 2009

Outdoor News Website
Resorts & Guides
Advertise with Outdoor News

Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
November 25th, 2009

This report is sponsered by:
Zippel Bay Resort

Big Six

LAKE MILLE LACS
There isn’t much to report on the fishing front. A boat or two can be seen pulling crankbaits on the rocks and shorelines each day, but the walleye bite has been limited. Most anglers are waiting for ice to form and are concentrating on the hunting season.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS
Walleyes are biting in the river over 17 to 19 feet and the majority of them have been in the 17- to 19-inch range. On the lake, jigs tipped with minnows are turning walleyes in 28 feet at the Lighthouse Gap and Morris Point area. If you’re up for a boat ride, the reefs around Knight Island also are producing walleyes in 18 to 24 feet.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISHWalleye quite TP Small

LEECH LAKE AREA
A handful of boats continue to work Walker Bay and there are walleyes hitting minnows in 60 to 80 feet. The key is to sit on top of them and work slowly. Duck hunting has been poor and the third weekend of deer season was slow, but grouse hunting continues to be good, especially north of the immediate area.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA
There’s still a few guys dragging sucker minnows for muskies. The majority of fish are coming off the outside weed edges. Look for walleyes in Brown’s Bay and Wayzata Bay over 40 feet. A slow-presented jig-and-minnow is the way to go. Hunting reports have been poor with very few ducks, geese, or pheasants to be had, according to most hunters.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE
Fishing action has been limited to the river where walleyes continue to be taken on minnows. There hasn’t been anyone on the main lake and most boats are now put away. Deer registrations continued to lag behind last year through the final weekend, and grouse hunting remains a safe bet throughout the area with good bird numbers reported.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Fishing is non-existent and most resorts are now preparing for the winter season. Until there’s ice, there won’t be much activity in the area. Duck numbers are minimal with a few divers on the main lake, but grouse hunting should be good now that the deer season has ended.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO
The St. Croix River is producing walleyes and sauger in 30 to 35 feet. Crankbaits have worked best south of Hudson and the Prescott area. Muskie anglers are turning fish on soft plastics or minnows at White Bear Lake on the 12- to 25-foot weedlines. A few deer are being registered, but other hunting reports have been minimal.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO
A few anglers continue to fish, but there hasn’t been any reports of success this week. The deer season was slow and ducks are nowhere to be found. Pheasant hunting has improved now that the corn is being removed - there seems to be birds in the area so the late season opportunities should be good.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA
Fishing reports have been very limited, but if you wanted to go out, look to Lake Miltona in 30 to 60 feet for walleyes. Duck numbers are low, there is geese in the area, and pheasant hunting should only get better as the corn continues to come out.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255

ANNANDALE AREA
Rattlin’ crankbaits or jigs and minnows are turning a few bass and walleyes on Clearwater Lake in 10 to 14 feet. Other fishing reports have been non-existent. Hunting action has been limited to a few geese, an occasional pocket of ducks is found, and pheasant hunting is improving as the crops are harvested.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE
Walleyes continue to hit minnows at Otter Tail Lake in 40 to 80 feet and on Stalker Lake in 24 to 30 feet. Muskie anglers are doing well trolling or casting large crankbaits over 20 feet on West Battle Lake. Duck and goose numbers are minimal and deer registrations wrapped at 279 animals, which is down 17 deer from last year.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA
Deer registrations were down just a bit from last year’s gun season and duck numbers are extremely low. Goose hunters seem to be finding quite a few birds and grouse hunting has been good. Fishing reports have been nonexistent since there hasn’t been anyone out.
Bluewater Outdoors
(218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BLACKDUCK AREA
Most anglers seem to be waiting on ice since boat traffic on area lakes is down to nothing. The last weekend of the firearms deer season brought in a few deer, but registrations remained down from last year. Waterfowl and grouse hunting reports have been minimal this week.
Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Gull Lake continues to produce walleyes in 25 to 35 feet via rainbow minnows. Some anglers are fishing from shore near Hole in the Day Bay and the piers on Gull and also catching walleyes on minnows. Bass, pike, and panfish reports are nonexistent.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

CHISAGO AREA
An occasional walleye report is heard off Green Lake in eight to 10 feet. Bass also remain shallow and active at Chisago Lake, but the number of people fishing is limited. Duck hunting remains poor and a few more geese have shown up this week. Pheasant hunters have not been out much this week.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

DETROIT LAKES
Muskies continue to hit sucker minnows under bobbers on the weedlines of Big Detroit Lake and Pelican Lake. Walleyes also are hitting minnows on Big Cormorant Lake, Island Lake, Pelican, and Big Detroit. Look deep during the day and shallow towards evening. Hunting action has been minimal, although waterfowl hunters are finding plenty of geese and the occasional bluebill and mallard.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA
Look to Island Lake with minnows for walleyes in eight to 10 feet. On Fish Lake, walleyes and crappies are being found in 10 to 12 feet. A handful of muskie anglers continue to raise fish on the St. Louis River. Deer registrations are at 1,380, which is down about 600 deer from last year. Look for some good grouse hunting now that the rifle deer season has ended.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

EAST-CENTRAL MINN
Anglers continue to fish the Rum River and Mississippi River for walleyes and smallmouth bass with some success. Duck hunters are struggling and a few more pheasants are being found as the corn comes out.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985

FAIRMONT AREA
Jigs tipped with Twister Tails or minnows are producing walleyes along the shoreline of Tuttle Lake. Anglers fishing from shore at Lake Sissiton and Budd Lake are catching panfish. The deer season wrapped up with registrations slightly down from last year and pheasant hunting has “not been the greatest.” Duck and goose numbers are poor.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225

FARIBAULT AREA
Anglers fishing from shore with minnows near the bridge on Cannon Lake are catching perch and northern pike. On Lake Mazaska, crappies have set up in their winter haunts so they’re being found suspended over deep water. Hunting reports have been nonexistent this week.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341

GRAND MARAIS AREA
Fishing is no longer an attraction as most anglers are waiting for ice. Now that the deer season has wrapped up, grouse hunters are back out and doing well. The final weekend of the firearms deer season went well and registrations for the entire year are at 360 deer.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

HACKENSACK AREA
There hasn’t been much to report this week. The weather has been nice enough to fish, but anglers seem content waiting for ice. Hunting reports also have been limited with a few more deer registered during the last weekend of the gun season.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176

MANKATO AREA
A floating jig-and-fathead minnow is producing walleyes for anglers fishing from shore at Lake Elysian. A few walleye reports also have come off the Blue Earth River - these fish also have bit best on minnows. Hunting reports have been poor this week, but look for pheasant hunting to improve with the corn coming out.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

ORTONVILLE AREA
Anglers fishing from shore with minnows at Long Tom Lake are catching crappies. The Ortonville end of Big Stone Lake is producing perch, also with minnows. Duck numbers are low, there’s geese in the area, and pheasant hunters continue to struggle due to standing corn.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA
There hasn’t been anyone fishing during the past week. The final weekend of deer hunting raised registrations a bit, but the overall season was not nearly as good as last year. Waterfowl hunters have been pleasantly surprised with the number of birds they’re seeing. Goose and duck numbers have increased since last week.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

RED WING AREA
Blade baits or a jig-and-minnow continue to produce walleyes and sauger in 16 to 20 feet below the dam on the Mississippi River. The big fish have been extremely active this week. There hasn’t been much to report from hunter’s this week.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY

AReaFour Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334A few walleyes are being caught on Lake Koronis during the day in 30 feet and during the evening hours along the shorelines. Pheasant hunters are doing better now that the corn is removed, but duck and goose numbers remain low.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

STARBUCK AREA
The fall walleye bite never did take off in this area. At this point, anglers have put the boat away and are waiting for ice to form. Geese continue to keep waterfowl hunters busy, but duck reports are poor. The pheasant season has quickly improved now that the corn is harvested.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239

WILLMAR AREA
Most boats have been put away, but some anglers continue to fish from shore. Look for panfish and an occasional walleye along the shoreline at Willmar/Foot Lake. With a boat, Green Lake is the best option for walleyes in 30 feet or more. The lakes are holding a few divers and there is geese to be had. Pheasant hunting has not improved much since last week.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports
(320) 235-4097

To submit your photos to our website, please click here.
Be sure to include first & last name, where you are from, what species
of fish your catch is, where you caught the fish, and how big your fish is.

Comments are closed.

Trackback URI |