Northwest Minnesota Fishing Report – September 21st, 2012

ALEXANDRIA AREA

Walleyes are hitting jigs and minnows on 13- to 16-foot weed edges of Lake Le Homme Dieu and Lake Ida. On Lake Miltona, spinners and crawlers or minnows are turning walleyes in 20 to 30 feet. Panfish reports have been limited, but muskie anglers hooked some fish at Oscar Lake and were seeing some on Miltona. Hit lakes Carlos, Darling, Geneva, and Miltona with crankbaits for bass in eight to 12 feet. There are more geese in the area and archers have taken a few deer.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255

BATTLE LAKE

During the day, walleyes are hitting crawlers and spinners in 11 to 20 feet or jigs and minnows in six to 10 feet. At night, trolling crankbaits in less than 10 feet has produced walleyes with lakes such as Big Pine, Rush, West Battle, and Otter Tail giving up the most. Bass are shallow and prefer spinnerbaits at Fiske Lake, Donald Lake, Dead Lake, and East Battle Lake. Look for crappies and sunfish in 10 to 17 feet on Rush, East Battle, West Battle, Blanche Lake, and Mollie Stark Lake. Muskies are hitting large suckers on West Battle during low-light periods.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

DETROIT LAKES

Muskies are hitting minnows and topwater baits on Big Detroit Lake and Pelican Lake in 10 to 12 feet. Look for walleyes to hit minnows in 18 to 20 feet on White Earth Lake, Big Detroit, Pelican, Big Cormorant Lake, Island Lake, and Lake Melissa. Panfish action is best in 12 to 16 feet on Floyd Lake, Severson Lake, Little Detroit Lake, and Big Detroit.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Walleyes are hitting minnows in 16 to 20 feet at Fish Hook Lake, 30 to 34 feet at Big Sand Lake, and in 14 to 17 feet at Long Lake. Hit Long and Big Mantrap Lake with suckers or spinnerbaits for pike in 10 to 14 feet. The Crow Wing Chain provides the best sunfish bite in eight to 10 feet and Potato Lake is producing numbers of smallmouth bass. Grouse hunting reports have been mixed. Archery hunters have taken a handful of deer.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281