Northeast Minnesota Fishing Report – September 28th, 2012

DULUTH AREA

Walleyes are hitting minnows at Island Lake in 10 feet and large sucker minnows are producing muskies at Island and the St. Croix River in eight to 12 feet. Crappie action remains favorable in 12 to 16 feet at Boulder Lake and Fish Lake. Archery hunters are registering a lot of deer with several nice bucks in the mix including one this week with a 24-inch spread. Grouse hunters are doing “OK,” but most anticipate better success once the cover is eliminated.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

ELY AREA

Minnows are turning walleyes at Basswood Lake in 20 to 40 feet and at  Shagawa Lake in 20 to 22 feet. On Birch Lake, walleyes and crappies are being taken with minnows in six to eight feet. The bigger northern pike started hitting minnows at Farm Lake from the shorelines out to 12 feet. Duck-hunting reports are limited, but grouse hunters have done well despite a lot of cover.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Minnows and jigs are turning walleyes in 40 feet on Lake Saganaga, in 35 to 40 feet at Seagull Lake, 15 to 22 feet at Devil Track Lake, and in 15 to 20 feet at Poplar Lake. Lake trout are hitting crawlers in 20 feet at Moss Lake, minnows and spoons in 35 feet at Duncan Lake, and minnows on Saganaga over 55 to 65 feet. Fly fishing during the evening hours remains productive for rainbow trout at Kimball and Esther lakes. Most hunters report grouse options to be average to above average so far this season.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280