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FeedNorth Central Minnesota Fishing Report - October 19th, 2012
LAKE MILLE LACS
East - Most walleye activity is taking place from dusk well into the night on the six- to 12-foot rocks with large crankbaits. During the day, live bait is producing a few walleyes in 18 to 25 feet. Muskies have become more active with several big fish caught on the shallow rocks this week. Look for the jumbo perch bite to start happening in the bays now that water temperatures have dipped below 50 degrees.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
West - Look for walleyes to hit crankbaits at night in six to eight feet throughout St. Alban’s Bay, Garrison Bay, Garrison Reef, and the rocks near MyrMar. A jig and minnow also is producing walleyes during the day on the shoreline breaks and reef edges. Muskie reports have been limited and the few jumbo perch being caught are coming from deep water.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
LAKE OF THE WOODS
The shiners are running in the Rainy River and the big walleyes are following. The main lake is stirred up due to the wind and that’s forced boats to head north between Stony Point and Garden Island. They are jigging in 28 to 32 about two miles outside the Gap. Jigs and shiner minnows also are turning walleyes in Zippel Bay in 14 to 16 feet and you’ll find fish on the rock areas around Long Point and Twin Islands. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes, crappies, northern pike, and muskies are hitting. Look for crappies over 30 to 50 feet, walleyes in 30 feet, and trolling large crankbaits in 20 to 40 feet has produced muskies.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE
Walleyes are scattered but hitting a jig and minnow combination in seven to nine feet of water during the day. Look to West Goose Flats, First Duck, Second Duck, the Meadows, Stoney Point, and north side of Bear Island. The crankbait bite at night has been “hit and miss” with a lot of big fish being caught between Sand Point and Cedar Point, around Goose Island, and Pine Point. The bigger muskies are being found suspended over deep water with smaller fish coming off the rocks. Grouse hunting reports remain favorable if you’re willing to get off the main paths and walking trails. Duck hunters are shooting mallards and some divers in the bays.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
RAINY LAKE
Walleyes are hitting minnows by the dam and Birchdale areas of the Rainy River, while fishing reports off the main lake have been limited. Duck hunter participation has dropped off, but grouse hunting remains favorable for those willing to get off the main trails.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
The wind has really limited fishing activity on the lake. When it does calm down, look to the west-side points and shoreline breaks with a jig and minnow for walleyes and perch in six to nine feet. Northern pike are mixed with the walleyes or in areas that offer any remaining weed growth.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
BEMIDJI AREA
Minnows are producing walleyes in 30 to 40 feet of water or in eight to 12 feet on Cass Lake, Lake Andrusia, and Lake Bemidji. Muskie anglers are doing best with large sucker minnows on Cass, Bemidji, and Lake Plantagenet. Grouse hunters are seeing birds, but duck hunting seems to be in a lull with no new birds moving into the area. Archery hunters are reporting that bucks have really started to get active over the past week.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Minnows are producing walleyes on Gull Lake in 18 to 48 feet and crappies over 30 feet. North Long Lake and Round Lake also are giving up walleyes on minnows in 28 to 30 feet. Large sucker minnows are turning northern pike in 16 to 28 feet on Gull and North Long.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010
CROSBY AREA
Walleye action has been good with minnows in 24 to 40 feet of water on Rabbit Lake and Pelican Lake or in the 14- to 22-foot holes on the Mississippi River. The fall trout and northern pike bites have kicked in on the pits in the area such as Pennington and Portsmouth. Some of the small lakes are producing panfish, as is Green’s Point on the Mississippi River. Grouse hunters are doing well if they get off the main trails, duck hunters are offering mixed reports now that most local birds are gone and archery hunters have noticed an increase in scrapes and rubs in the woods.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
A jig and shiner minnow is producing walleyes on the 20- to 40-foot structure of Lake Pokegama, Trout Lake, and Deer Lake or in 16 to 19 feet at Moose Lake and Lake Wabana. Look for suspended crappies over 20 feet on Big and Little Splithand lakes or bluegills and crappies in 19 to 21 feet on Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake. Large sucker minnows are turning muskies on the Blandan Reservoir, Deer Lake, and North Star Lake. Duck hunting has been poor with no new birds in the area and grouse hunters are finding pockets of birds.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
Crappies are being found suspended over 18 to 22 feet on Pleasant Lake, Webb Lake, and Ten Mile Lake. Minnows and jigs are producing a few walleyes on Woman Lake from the weedlines out to 22 feet. Muskie anglers are hooking fish on area lakes with large sucker minnows in less than 15 feet. The leaves are down so grouse hunting has gone well, but duck numbers have dwindled. Archery hunters are shooting a fair number of deer and there seems to be more rutting activity in the woods.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
EAST CENTRAL MN
You’ll find sunfish in less than six feet and crappies in 14 to 16 feet on Blue Lake. Green Lake also is giving up crappies in 14 to 16 feet. Hit Little Elk Lake and Green with sucker minnows for northern pike in seven to 12 feet. The pheasant opener went well with many hunters participating and most shot some birds or at the very least saw birds. Waterfowl hunters are seeing more geese than ducks, but they seem upbeat with the number of birds in the area.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Walleyes are hitting minnows on Lake Koronis in 30 to 35 feet during the day and crankbaits in shallow water at night. Look to Rice Lake for suspended crappies over 16 to 18 feet and Becker Lake started producing sunfish in six to eight feet. Pheasant hunters shot a few roosters and most were pleasantly surprised with the birds they encountered. The lakes in this area are holding mallards and a few divers have moved as well.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248
