Minnesota Outdoor News and Fishing Report 8-26-2010
gengberg August 26th, 2010
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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
August 26th, 2010
This report is sponsored by:
Archery Buyers Guide
Big Six
LAKE MILLE LACS
East - The deep mud and gravel offers the best walleye action during the day with crawlers, leeches or crankbaits trolled in 24 to 28 feet.
At night, this deep bite continues or slide up on the mid-depth rocks with slip bobbers and leeches once the sun hits the trees. You’ll also find smallmouth bass on the rocks and muskies have started to turn on a bit with the best reports early and late in the day with bucktails or crankbaits.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
West - During the day, troll crankbaits or spinner rigs on the tops and edges of the mud flats such as Sherman’s, Seven Mile, Eight Mile, and Seguchie’s in 24 to 28 feet. Slip bobbers and leeches are working best at night off the mud in 28 to 32 feet. The rocks are holding smallmouth bass and some good-sized perch, while crankbaits continue to trigger muskies in St. Alban’s Bay and Wigwam Bay. The few anglers working muskies are seeing fish on the north-end sand and west-end weedlines.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Spinners tipped with live bait or downrigging is producing walleyes and sauger in 25 to 35 feet. Look to the mud along the south shore, or areas such as Long Point, Garden Island, and the Gap. The islands throughout the Northwest Angle continue to provide steady walleye action in 18 to 25 feet with the same presentations. Most rock piles at the Angle will produce smallmouth and muskies have been hanging around the weedlines.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE AREA
A jig and minnow or spinner rig and crawler is working best for walleyes during the day in and around the weeds, Hardwoods area, and on the deep humps in Walker Bay. Evening hours are best spent with slip bobbers and leeches off the points or with crankbaits after dark in 10 to 14 feet. Muskies remain somewhat active with an even split of fish being seen on the rocks and weeds.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
A few walleyes can be had on deep weed edges or in 28 to 34 feet in bigger bays of Lake Minnetonka and on Lake Independence. Bass and sunfish have bit well on the deep weedlines of Minnetonka and Lake Sarah. Sucker minnows are producing northern pike on the weedlines of most lakes and muskie action has improved a bit on Minnetonka with bucktails and crankbaits in 12 to 16 feet.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227
RAINY LAKE
Minnows are the best option for walleyes on the reefs near Steamboat and Cranberry or in 35 feet around Fox Islands, and in 26 to 28 feet in Sand Bay. A few fish also have been taken in 10 to 14 feet in Saginaw Bay and Black Bay. Lost Bay is the best option for pike with crankbaits and the Rainy River is giving up smallmouth and pike.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
The shallow bite is producing a good share of the keeping-sized walleyes caught. A jig and minnow or Lindy Rig and leech has worked best in the seven- to 10-foot weeds off Raven’s Point, Mallard Point, Sugar Point, and Little Stoney Point. Bigger fish are in 15 to 20 feet on the main-lake bars. Pike are hitting minnows, crankbaits, or spoons trolled in the weeds and perch action, at least for bigger fish, has been best on the mid-depth rocks.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
Twin Cities Metro
NORTHEAST METRO
A few more muskies have been seen chasing bucktails on top of the shallow weeds at Forest Lake and Bald Eagle Lake.
The St. Croix River is giving up walleyes and smallmouth bass, while Big Carnelian Lake and Lake Peltier are worth noting for panfish in 10 to 15 feet. Catfish are hitting at a good pace on the Mississippi River and Tanners Lake. Plastics and spinnerbaits are producing bass in the deep weeds of Demonterville Lake.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421
WEST METRO
Sunfish are hitting in six feet at Pierson Lake, in 10 to 12 feet at Lake Auburn, and in 12 to 15 feet at Lake Minnewashta. Work the weed edges of Steiger Lake and Auburn with spoons or sucker minnows for pike. Bass can be had on topwaters during low-light periods in shallow water and on plastics during the day in deep water. Catfish are active in the deep holes of the Minnesota River and you can pop a walleye or two on jigs at the creek mouths on the river.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022
LAKE WACONIA
A few walleyes are being taken on fatheads on the deep breaks near Cemetery Reef, Kegg’s Reef, and North Reef. Look for sunfish on the 10- to 14-foot weedlines along the south shore and the biggest bass are hitting plastics in the 10- to 16-foot weeds. Muskies have been most active early and late in the day on Center Reef and Pillsbury Reef.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096
Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREA
Look to the weedlines of Lake Miltona with minnows, crankbaits, and crawlers during low-light periods for the majority of walleyes. An occasional big walleye has come off the deep weeds and breaks of Lake Carlos and Lake Le Homme Dieu. You’ll find sunfish and crappies in 12 to 15 feet on Le Homme Dieu, Carlos, Lake Geneva, and Lake Darling. Bass action is strong on the flats and weedlines of most lakes.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255
ANNANDALE AREA
An occasional walleye hits leeches or fatheads at Clearwater Lake or Cedar Lake in 16 to 22 feet. Bass fishing has been consistent with plastics and topwaters at French Lake, Pleasant Lake, Clearwater, and Lake Sylvia. Eight- to 15-foot weeds on Sylvia, Pleasant, Sugar Lake, and Lake John are worth noting for sunfish. Crappies are being taken at Clearwater and Sugar over 10 to 18 feet.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE
Sunfish are hitting on top of the deep weeds on Dead Lake, Stalker Lake, Star Lake, West Battle Lake, and South Turtle Lake. On Otter Tail Lake, walleyes can be had during the day with a jig and minnow in 10 to 15 feet and shallower at night with crankbaits. West Battle is producing a few muskies and pike are hitting suckers or crankbaits in 14 to 22 feet on Otter Tail, West Battle, and South Turtle. There’s been strong bass action on the weedlines of lakes such as West Battle, Clitherall, Fisk, and Elbow.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BEMIDJI AREA
A jig and minnow, crawlers, and crankbaits will turn walleyes during the evening on points and weedlines of Lake Bemidji. Panfish are hitting in 14 to 18 feet on Grace Lake, Lake Hattie, and Midge Lake. Look for evening muskie action along shallow weeds via bucktails on Big Lake, Lake Plantagenet, and Bemidji. A few decent perch reports have come off Bemidji in eight to 10 feet.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Large sucker minnows, spoons, and crankbaits have all produced good-sized northern pike at Gull Lake, Whitefish Lake, Pelican Lake, and North Long Lake in 14 to 22 feet. Sunfish action is going strong in the six- to 12-foot weeds of most lakes and bass can be had on a variety of presentations throughout area lakes. Walleye fishing remains good with the weeds of Gull producing the most fish, although some ‘eyes are being caught as deep as 30 feet.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010
CASS LAKE AREA
Walleyes are hitting redtails and fatheads or rigs and leeches in 20 to 25 feet on the main-lake bars of Cass Lake. The 20-foot bar on Pike Bay Lake also has produced walleyes via live bait. Perch action remains strong in the 10-foot cabbage and sand of Cass. Muskies are again being seen with topwater baits, but most won’t commit to a bait. The weedlines in Allen’s Bay on Cass, Kitchi Lake, and Wolf Lake are giving up panfish.
Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831
CHISAGO AREA
The deep weedlines and rocks on Chisago Lake are giving up numbers of bass via plastics. Trolling Rapalas during low-light periods has produced walleyes in 10 to 14 feet on the north end of South Lindstrom Lake. Slip bobbers and small sucker minnows are turning walleyes and northern pike near Nelson’s Island on North Center Lake. Look for suspended crappies over 20 feet at South Lindstrom Lake and sunfish are being caught on most lakes in 10 to 12 feet. On Sunrise Lake, bass, pike, and sunfish are being taken in 10 to 14 feet.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
CROSBY AREA
Panfish are hitting in 12 to 14 feet at Little Rabbit Lake, Lake Mahnomen, Black Lake, and Nokay Lake. On Serpent Lake and Clearwater Lake anglers are catching a mixed bag of smallmouth and largemouth bass. Walleye action is slow, but deep-running crankbaits are turning northern pike in 20 to 22 feet on most lakes.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912
CUSHING AREA
Redtail minnows and live-bait rigs are triggering walleyes during low-light periods on Fish Trap Lake in 14 to 25 feet and at Lake Alexander in 18 to 24 feet. The 15- to 18-foot weedlines on Lake Shamineau and Alexander continue to produce muskies. You’ll hit crappies with minnows on Alexander over 14 feet during the evening.
Hilltop Sports (320) 749-2055
DETROIT LAKES
Sunfish and crappies are along the weedlines out to 20 feet and some have been suspended on lakes such as Big Detroit, Floyd, Sour, Sallie, Big Cormorant, and Severson. Muskie action has been hit and miss with CowGirls working best on the humps of Big Detroit and Pelican Lake. There’s been a transition to minnows for walleyes in 20 feet on Lake Melissa, Pelican, and Big Cormorant.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248
EAST-CENTRAL MINN
Sucker minnows and crankbaits are producing pike on the Rum River and Blue Lake. Sunfish are hitting in less than 10 feet at Green Lake, Elk Lake, and Blue. Look to the Rim River for smallmouth bass.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985
ELY AREA
Walleyes are scattered but not impossible to catch with minnows and leeches. Look to Snowbank Lake, White Iron Lake, and Burntside Lake in 14 to 22 feet. Lake trout reports have been limited with an occasional fish coming off Snowbank over 60 to 65 feet. Smallmouths are active on the rock reefs of most lakes and panfish can be had in the shallow weeds throughout the White Iron Chain.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744
FAIRMONT AREA
Walleye action is improving with crankbaits and leeches turning fish in eight to 15 feet on Hall Lake, Budd Lake, and Lake Sissiton. Catfish are an easy catch at Hall and Amber Lake with minnows, crawlers, and cut bait. Bluegills are being found in the channels of Budd, Hall, and Sissiton and you’ll find crappies over 10 to 15 feet at Fox Lake.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225
FARIBAULT AREA
Anglers are finding crappies suspended over 20 feet at French Lake. The 12- to 15-foot bars of Lake Mazaska continue to produce a combination of sunfish, pike, and crappies. Bucktails seem to be working best on the few muskies being caught at French.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
Minnows and crawlers are turning walleyes during the day on the deep weedlines of Jessie Lake, Trout Lake, Lake Wabana, and Sand Lake. During low-light periods, crankbaits are the best option in 12 to 14 feet. Power Bait is producing rainbow trout at Kramer Lake, Moonshine Lake, and Taylor’s Lake. Trolling crankbaits in 20 to 22 feet is turning pike on Lake Pokegama and Wabana. Bucktails thrown during the evening have raised muskies on Moose Lake, Deer Lake, and North Star Lake.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
Crappies are being taken on tube jigs or minnows on the weedlines of Birch Lake, Five Point Lake, Pleasant Lake, and Ten Mile Lake. Crawlers and minnows are turning walleyes during the morning and evening in 20 to 28 feet on Woman Lake and Ten Mile and crankbaits have worked shallower at night. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are hitting on most lakes.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE KABETOGAMA
Walleyes are being caught on sharp reef edges in 30 to 32 feet with a jig and minnow or live-bait rig and minnow. Center Reef and Martin Islands are providing the most consistent action and expect a few jumbo perch to be in the mix. Look for pike to hit crankbaits on the weed edges of most bays. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are producing plenty of smallmouths along the rock and sand shorelines.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121
LAKE VERMILION
Crawlers and minnows are turning walleyes during the day along most weedlines, humps, and flats in 20 to 22 feet. Muskie action has remained about the same with some fish being seen and caught on the weedlines and humps during lowlight periods.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052
MANKATO AREA
Panfish provide the most consistent bite with lakes such as Madison and Washington kicking out fish in shallow water. The spoon plug bite remains decent for pike in 16 to 20 feet on Big Jefferson Lake. Catfish continue to hit on the Minnesota River and bass seem to be an easy catch on most lakes in less than 12 feet with plastics.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228
ORTONVILLE AREA
Waxworms have worked best for jumbo perch in 12 to 14 feet from the Grapevine to Hartford Beach on Big Stone Lake. The east end of Lake Oliver is giving up a few walleyes in 16 to 18 feet and most have been caught on spinners and crawlers. The Highway 75 dam and Coral area of the Minnesota River is worth noting for catfish.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Bluegills are being caught in 12 to 14 feet on the Crow Wing Chain and Lake Belle Taine. Look to the weedlines of Fifth Crow Wing Lake and Lake George with sucker minnows for pike. Crankbaits trolled over the nine- to 16-foot weeds of Long Lake are producing a few walleyes at night. The only muskie action reported off Big Mantrap Lake is taking place at night with topwater baits.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
RED WING AREA
Walleyes are active, hitting crankbaits in 12 to 22 feet near Maple Springs, Maiden Rock Flats, and Warren Town. Suckers and spoons are turning pike in less than six feet in the Maple Springs area as well. The docks in Baypoint Park and Bay City Park are good for panfish and you will find catfish below the dam on the Mississippi River in 20 feet.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334
STARBUCK AREA
Lake Minnewaska is giving up sunfish and a few crappies in 10 to 14 feet or on the deep weedlines during low-light periods. Walleye reports remain limited, but the weedlines and points of Minnewaska continue to hold bass and northern pike.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239
WATERVILLE AREA
Lake Tetonka is kicking out sunfish in 10 to 15 feet and crappies over 15 to 17 feet. You’ll also find crappies at Lake Francis in 15 to 20 feet. The west end of Tetonka and Lake Sakatah are safe bets for bass and there’s been sunfish caught around the docks on Sakatah. Spoon plugs worked on the weedlines of Lake Elysian continue to produce northern pike.
Axel’s Tackle Box (507) 362-4444
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