Minnesota Outdoor News and Fishing Report 9-2-2010
gengberg September 2nd, 2010
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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
September 2th, 2010
This report is sponsered by:
Archery Buyers Guide
Big Six
LAKE MILLE LACS
East - Crankbaits or live-bait rigs are producing walleyes on the deep mud and gravel. Once you locate a few fish it’s a good idea to anchor and pitch slip bobbers with leeches. The consistency of the bite has been up and down depending on the day. At night, slip bobbers and leeches continue to work best on the shallow rocks. Muskie reports have been limited, but smallmouth remain active on the rocks.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
West - The tops and edges of the mud flats remain the best walleye options with crankbaits, crawlers, minnows, and leeches all producing fish in 24 to 30 feet. It seems the best bet is to cover a lot of water during the day. Slip bobbers and leeches continue to trigger walleyes at night off the flats in deeper water. Look for smallmouth bass on the rock points and northern pike in the bays.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
LAKE OF THE WOODS
A jig and minnow or crawler and spinner has produced walleyes in 28 to 32 feet near Little Traverse and most main-lake rock reefs. There is some walleye action in shallower water with Shad Raps. Spoons and bucktails are triggering muskies and northern pike at the Northwest Angle. Smallmouth bass action has been excellent on the rock reefs at the Angle, while spinners or jigs tipped with minnows are working best for walleyes in 20 to 25 feet near the islands.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE AREA
The jig and minnow bite is slowly improving with some action reported in eight to 12 feet at the Meadows, First Duck Point, Second Duck Point, and Pine Point. The deep humps in Walker Bay continue to produce big walleyes and trolling crankbaits at night remains productive off most points. Perch are being found in Agency Bay and the Narrows in six to 10 feet. Work the reeds for bluegills and the rocks near Pelican Reef and North Bar have been best for muskies.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
Plastics or live bait will produce sunfish and bass on the weedlines throughout Lake Minnetonka. Crankbaits also have turned northern pike along the weedlines, but muskie reports remain limited. An occasional walleye is caught in the big bays of Minnetonka such as Brown’s, Wayzata, and Crystal in 23 to 28 feet on spinners and crawlers. Look to Medicine Lake for small crappies in six to 10 feet.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227
RAINY LAKE
Minnows are producing walleyes at the American Narrows and reefs in Saginaw Bay over 34 to 38 feet. Sand bay continues to kick out a few walleyes in 24 to 32 feet. Crappies started to hit at a decent pace throughout Stoke’s Bay in six to eight feet. Work the deep, main-lake rock piles with crankbaits for northern pike.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
A jig and minnow is turning walleyes in eight to 11 feet at the southeast corner, Duck Pass, west side points, and on the south end near Highbanks. The edges of many main-lake bars also have produced walleyes this week in 16 to 18 feet. Look for perch in the weeds, rocks near Raven’s Point, and Moses rocks. Northern pike are an easy catch from Little Stoney Point to the “bird houses” in six to nine feet of water.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
Twin Cities Metro
NORTHEAST METRO
The St. Croix River continues to produce walleyes and sauger in 25 to 30 feet via crawlers and spinners. Largemouth bass are hitting plastics on the weedlines of Big Marine Lake and Big Carnelian Lake. Pool #2 on the Mississippi River started giving up big walleyes on fathead minnows. Look for bluegills on Lake Peltier and Centerville Lake in 10 to 12 feet. Muskie action has been slow, but White Bear Lake and the St. Croix have given up a few on bucktails in shallow water.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421
WEST METRO
Bass and northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on the 12-foot reed edges of Steiger Lake. On Pierson Lake, sunfish have started hitting in 12 to 15 feet, while Whaletail Lake and Lake Auburn are kicking out bass on plastics. Walleye action remains slow and catfish have been tough to find on the Minnesota River.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022
LAKE WACONIA
The weedlines off most reefs are holding bass and sunfish in eight to 12 feet. You’ll also pick off big bass in the slop during low-light periods. An occasional walleye is caught during the evening hours on the breaks of Cemetery Reef and Kegg’s Reef. It’s been a slow week for muskie anglers, although a few have been caught accidentally by anglers fishing for other species.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096
Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREA
Muskie action has picked up on Lake Miltona with bucktails and topwater baits early and late in the day. Walleyes are being found in the weeds during low-light periods on Lake Ida, Lake Mary, Lake Darling, Lake Le Homme Dieu, and Miltona. Panfish action has improved at Lake Carlos in 15 to 18 feet and on Le Homme Dieu in 12 to 15 feet. Bass fishing continues to be excellent on most lakes in shallow water with spinnerbaits or plastics.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255
ANNANDALE AREA
Minnows or spinners and nightcrawlers are producing a few walleyes at Clearwater Lake in 14 to 20 feet of water. Look to lakes such as Clearwater, John, Sugar, Cedar, Pleasant, and Sylvia for panfish in eight to 12 feet. Bass and northern pike are cruising the deep weedlines of most lakes with the bigger fish hitting spinnerbaits. A few muskie reports have come off Sugar Lake, but hook ups have been limited.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE
Walleyes can be had with minnows in eight to 15 feet, with crawlers in 15 to 22 feet and with crankbaits after dark in five to eight feet at lakes such as Big Pine, Otter Tail, West Battle, and Rush. Crankbaits or sucker minnows are fooling northern pike on the 15- to 20-foot weeds of Otter Tail, West Battle, Clitherall Lake, and South Turtle Lake. Panfish are being found suspended over 17 to 20 feet at lakes Clitherall, West Battle, Elbow, and Blanche. Look for muskies in 18 to 25 feet at West Battle and plenty of bass in deep water at Fiske Lake, Spitzer Lake, and Stalker Lake.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BEMIDJI AREA
Crawlers continue to produce walleyes on Lake Bemidji, Lake Plantagenet, and Little Wolf Lake in 10 to 15 feet of water. Muskies are hitting jerk baits and slow-moving crankbaits on Bemidji and Plantagenet in five to 10 feet during low-light periods. You’ll find perch in 12 to 18 feet hitting minnows on Bemidji, while bluegill and crappie reports have been limited.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BLACKDUCK AREA
Sunfish and crappies are hitting in the 10- to 15-foot weeds of Gull Lake, Pimushe Lake, North Twin, and South Twin lakes. Crawlers are turning a few walleyes in 10 to 15 feet at Gull and Big Lake. Bass and northern pike are hitting live and artificial baits on most lakes.
Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636
CASS LAKE AREA
Leeches and minnows continue to produce walleyes on the main lake bars of Cass Lake in 20 to 25 feet. Minnows are the ticket for perch on Cass in six to 10 feet at East Star Island, Windego, North Cedar Bar, and West Cedar Bar. Bucktails have triggered the majority of muskies and northern pike have moved to the thick weedlines. Panfish action has been slow.
Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831
CHISAGO AREA
Bass action remains excellent on the weedlines of Chisago Lake. Sunfish can be had on the six- to 10-foot weedlines of Chisago and South Lindstrom Lake. You’ll find crappies suspended over 14 to 16 feet at Kroon Lake. The eight- to 10-foot weed edges of Sunrise Lake are producing northern pike via sucker minnows. A few walleyes are being taken during low-light periods with Shad Raps on the weedlines of Chisago, South Lindstrom, and Green Lake.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
CROSS LAKE AREA
Walleye action is “steady” on the Whitefish Chain and most area lakes. Fish are being found in 24 to 28 feet and hitting redtails and crawlers on long-lined Lindy Rigs. There also is a night bite with crankbaits over deep water. Sucker minnows are turning small northern pike on the weedlines of most lakes and bass are hitting plastics and spinnerbaits on the weedlines. Look for crappies to take minnows and jigs presented vertically in 18 to 20 feet and you’ll find bluegills in 16 to 18 feet.
Crosslake Holiday Sports (218) 692-2708
CUSHING AREA
Muskie reports have been limited this week, but walleyes have been active. Redtail minnows are working best on Lake Alexander during the day in 18 to 24 feet and crankbaits are turning fish at night along the weedlines. Redtails also have turned walleyes and northern pike on Fish Trap Lake in 14 to 22 feet. On the Mississippi River near Little Falls, redtails are turning walleyes and smallmouth bass. Look to east end of Alexander for crappies during the evening hours in 12 to 14 feet.
Hilltop Sports (320) 749-2055
DETROIT LAKES
Redtails or small sucker minnows are triggering walleyes in 20 to 30 feet at Pelican Lake, Big Cormorant Lake, and Big Detroit Lake. Look for sunfish on the weedlines of lakes Sallie, Melissa, Floyd, and Big Detroit. Topwater baits and CowGirls continue to raise muskies in five to 15 feet at Pelican and Big Detroit. Bass and northern pike are hitting in the weeds of most lakes.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248
DULUTH AREA
Walleyes are hitting minnows at Boulder Lake in 12 feet and at Island Lake in 16 to 18 feet during the morning hours. Fish Lake is kicking out crappies over 15 feet and a few muskies can be had with large minnows and crankbaits on Island and the St. Louis River. King and coho salmon have started staging in front of the Lester River, about one mile out on Lake Superior.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094
ELY AREA
Walleyes are being caught on leeches or Shad Raps along the shorelines and islands of Lake Shagawa during low-light periods. Northern pike and bass are an easy catch on lakes Shagawa, Snowbank, White Iron, Garden, and Farm. Lake trout action has been limited to an occasional fish off Burntside Lake over 100 feet and sunfish are being caught on the weedlines of White Iron, Farm, and Garden lakes.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744
EMILY AREA
Mitchell Lake started producing smallmouth bass on crankbaits in eight to 15 feet. Walleyes have started hitting a jig and minnow near the boat landing on Lake Washburn in 22 to 27 feet early and late in the day. Northern pike are tearing up Rapalas during the evening hours at Molten Lake in less than 14 feet, while sunfish and crappies remain active on Lake Emily over 20 feet.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191
FARIBAULT AREA
Sunfish and crappies can be had on Lake Mazaska in 10 to 15 feet. On Shields Lake, you’ll find sunfish in 10 feet. The docks on French Lake are producing largemouth bass and the 20-foot depth on French is holding crappies. Look to the shorelines of French with bucktails for muskies early and late in the day.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341
GRAND MARAIS AREA
Minnows are working best for walleyes in 15 to 23 feet at Devil Fish Lake, 20 to 27 feet at Lake Saganaga and Seagull Lake, and in 12 to 18 feet at Brule Lake. On Cascade Lake, crawlers are producing walleyes on the 15- to 22-foot rock piles. Spoons or sucker minnows are turning northern pike in 10 to 15 feet at Northern Lights Lake, Two Island Lake, and Pike Lake. Crawlers remain the best option for rainbow trout at Leo Lake in 22 to 26 feet, in 18 to 23 feet at Kimball Lake, and in 15 to 20 feet at Esther Lake. Look for lake trout over 40 to 50 feet on Saganaga and over 55 to 60 feet at Greenwood Lake - ciscoes or spoons are working best.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
You’ll hit bluegills in six to eight feet on Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake, in 14 feet at Bass Lake, and in eight to 12 feet on Swan Lake. Look for crappies over 15 to 25 feet on Little Cutfoot and on the weedlines of Lake Pokegama and Lake Wabana during the evening hours. Crawlers are turning walleyes on the weedlines of Jessie Lake and Wabana, as are redtails in 20 to 30 feet at Sugar Lake. Smallmouth bass have been very active on Pokegama, North Star Lake, and Turtle Lake. Muskies have been chasing bucktails during low-light periods at North Star, Spider Lake, and Deer Lake.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
A few walleyes can be had on Ten Mile Lake with a jig and minnow in 25 to 30 feet or on Woman Lake in 20 to 25 feet. Muskie action has picked up with black and brown bucktails on the weedlines of Baby Lake and Little Boy Lake. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are hitting plastics on Stoney Lake, while panfish action has slowed.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE KABETOGAMA
Minnows are producing walleyes on the main-lake reefs and deep structure in 28 to 32 feet. Work the shorelines with minnows if the wind is blowing as well. You’ll hook northern pike during the day on the deep weeds and during the evening hours on the weed tops with spinnerbaits or sucker minnows. Smallmouth bass have bit most consistently on the rock and gravel areas.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121
LAKE VERMILION
Blade baits are triggering muskies with an even split on the number of fish coming off the rocks and weeds. Walleyes are moving to deep water now that the weeds are dying off. Look for crankbaits or minnows to work best in the next couple of weeks. Smallmouth bass continue to be found on most vertical structure.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052
MANKATO AREA
The deep holes of the Minnesota River and LeSueur River are holding walleyes and catfish. Crappies are being found in 11 to 13 feet on Lake Washington and around the docks on the east side of Madison Lake. Work Little Jefferson Lake with sucker minnows for northern pike. Sunfish reports have slowed with just a few keeping-sized fish coming off Madison in less than eight feet.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228
ORTONVILLE AREA
Perch action is strong on Big Stone Lake with waxworms and crawlers from Goose Island to Hartford Beach in 10 to 12 feet. Trolling spinners or crankbaits in 12 to 14 feet in the Hartford Beach area has produced a few walleyes. The dam area on the Minnesota River is producing pike via spoons and Lake Traverse started giving up bluegills on eight- to 10-foot rock piles.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480
PARK RAPIDS AREA
A few walleyes are being caught with crawlers on the deep weed edges of Long Lake during the day in 18 to 20 feet or during the evening hours with crankbaits in shallower water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Fifth and Sixth Crow Wing lakes in 14 feet. Look for bass on Fish Hook Lake in 16 to 18 feet and panfish remain active on the Crow Wing Chain in 12 to 14 feet. An occasional muskie is seen or caught at Big Mantrap Lake, while crawlers are producing rainbow trout on Bad Medicine Lake.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
RED RIVER
Catfish are being caught in the Grand Forks area along the cut banks with current, small holes, and mid-river structure with fast current. The Drayton stretch is holding active catfish in the mid-river holes or outside edges of boiling water. Goldeyes and frogs are working best and look for sucker minnows to work as well.
Brad Durick Outdoors (701) 739-5808
RED WING AREA
Crankbaits are the best walleye option in 12 to 20 feet at Maple Springs and Maiden Rock Flats. Pike continue to hit minnows or spoons in six feet near Maple Springs and catfish are hitting below the dam. Look for panfish around the docks at Baypoint Park in less than eight feet.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Sunfish are being found in six to 10 feet on Rice Lake, Cedar Island Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Long Lake, and Becker Lake. A few walleyes can be had with crankbaits or minnows during the evening hours along the weedlines of Lake Koronis. Bass are hitting around docks early in the day and on the deep weeds during the midday hours on most lakes. Look for northern pike in eight to 12 feet on Grand Lake and Pearl Lake. Channel catfish remain an easy catch on the Sauk River and lakes within the system at most depths.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248
SAUK CENTRE AREA
Redtails are producing walleyes on Little Birch Lake and on the main-lake bars of Lake Osakis during the evening hours. Look to lakes such as Maple, Fairy, East Long, and Osakis for panfish in 10 to 16 feet. Crappies continue to be found in the weeds of Little Birch, Maple, and Long Bridge Lake early and late in the day.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155
STARBUCK AREA
Walleyes just started hitting shallow-running crankbaits, right at dark, on the four- to six-foot bulrush edges of Lake Minnewaska. A few fish can be had with minnows during the day off the points. Smallmouth bass are hitting live bait on Minnewaska along the points and beach areas. Sunfish have been tough to locate this week.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239
WILLMAR AREA
Long Lake started producing bass and northern pike, near the access, mainly on spinnerbaits. Look to Green Lake for walleyes and bass in 20 feet and sunfish in 12 to 18 feet. Ringo Lake is kicking out northern pike near the culvert on minnows. The reeds on Lake Calhoun are holding panfish, as are the docks on Norway Lake in six feet.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097
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