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FeedNorth Central Minnesota Fishing Report - November 2nd, 2012
LAKE MILLE LACS
East - Water temperatures were in the mid-40 degree range earlier this week so the nighttime crankbait bite remains strong on the 12-foot rocks and shoreline breaks. Look for muskies to make a major push into shallow water as soon as the water temperature drops a bit more and they begin chasing tullibees.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
West - The night bite with Rapalas has taken off this week. Troll the inside weed edge at six feet or the outside edge in 14 feet throughout Garrison Bay, Wahkon Bay, St. Alban’s Bay, or the rock reefs. Anglers also continue to catch walleyes and pike during the day on the points and weedlines with a jig and minnow.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Walleye action has been limited on the Rainy River in recent days, likely due to the cold snap and poor weather conditions. A few areas that are producing fish on the river include Birchdale, the holes in front of Adrian’s, and Four Mile Bay. On the main lake, jigs and minnows are providing spurts of walleye activity at Garden Island, Knight, Bridges, Morris Point Gap, and in front of Pine Island. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes are being caught on the points that lead to bays over 20 to 30 feet.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau
(800) 382-FISH www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
LEECH LAKE
Trolling crankbaits at night in front of City Park in Walker Bay, West Goose Flats, and Sand Point in six to 10 feet has produced walleyes. During the day, a jig and minnow is turning walleyes on the points and shoreline breaks in less than nine feet. Perch reports vary and there seems to be a lot of sorting going on, but they are biting in the Narrows, Sand Point, and Pine Point in four to eight feet. Duck hunters are shooting a few more divers and grouse reports indicate scattered birds with the best numbers being flushed off the main walking trails.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
RAINY LAKE
Fishing reports off the main lake have been nonexistent, but the Birchdale area of the Rainy River continues to produce walleyes on minnows and jigs. Grouse hunting is good even though the birds seem more scattered. Archery hunters are seeing a lot of deer, especially does and fawns with a few bucks being taken.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
There hasn’t been enough people on the lake to get a handle on the walleye bite. It appears that most anglers have put the boats away and turned their attention to the upcoming deer season.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
BEMIDJI AREA
Walleye reports have slowed, but muskie anglers continue to do well with sucker minnows in shallow water on Lake Plantagenet and Lake Bemidji. There’s been a push of northern ducks into the area with buffleheads, ringnecks, a few bluebills, and mallards in bags this week. Grouse hunting pressure has dropped and archery hunters are noticing bucks getting more active.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BATTLE LAKE
A jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes in 30 to 40 feet at Otter Tail Lake, West Battle Lake, and Eagle Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 15 feet on Fiske Lake and Otter Tail, while sucker minnows continue to produce muskies on West Battle in 18 to 22 feet. A few panfish anglers are finding crappies and sunfish in 10 to 17 feet on Ellingson Lake and Mollie Stark Lake. Hunting reports indicate a few new ducks and geese in the area, but not huge numbers of divers.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
A Lindy rig and minnow or jig and minnow is producing walleyes on Gull Lake in 18 to 48 feet of water, at Pelican Lake in 32 to 42 feet, North Long Lake in 18 to 40 feet, and at Round Lake in much shallower water. Crappie action has been strong on the south end of Gull, Round, North Long, and Lake Margaret. Look for suspended fish over deep water to hit minnows.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
Muskie anglers continue to do best with big sucker minnows at Deer Lake, Blandan Reservoir, and North Star Lake. Walleye pressure has slowed, but jigs and minnows will turn fish in 15 to 20 feet at Lake Wabana, Lake Pokegama, and Trout Lake. Duck hunters are seeing some divers in the area, but not a big push of birds, while grouse have spread out and seem to be tougher to find.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
Trolling shallow-running crankbaits through five feet of water on Ten Mile Lake has triggered walleyes during the evening hours. There was a noticeable improvement in duck numbers this week with more divers and northern mallards in the area. Grouse and archery hunters aren’t having as much success.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
