Northwest Minnesota Fishing Report – September 26th, 2014

BATTLE LAKE

Walleyes are hitting minnows in 10 to 20 feet or crankbaits in 5 to 7 feet on Otter Tail Lake, West Battle Lake, Clitherall Lake and Silver Lake. Look for sunfish and crappies in 8 to 15 feet on West Battle, Clitherall, Blanche Lake and Hydleberger Lake. Bass have been hitting spinnerbaits or plastic worms in 5 to 8 feet at West Battle, Blanche, Clitherall and East Battle Lake. Northern pike have been found on the 10- to 20-foot weedlines of West Battle, Otter Tail and Donald Lake, while muskies are taking Jakes in the evenings over 10 to 15 feet on West Battle. Duck hunters should be able to put some mallards and wood ducks in the bag on opening weekend.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

DETROIT LAKES

Muskies are being caught with topwater baits or large sucker minnows in 10 to 20 feet at Big Detroit Lake and Pelican Lake. Walleye action has been best with minnows  in 15 to 20 feet at Big Detroit, Lake Melissa, Lake Sallie and Big Cormorant Lake. Look for crappies and sunfish off the weedlines of Big Detroit, Sallie, Cotton Lake and Siverteen Lake. There are ducks and geese to be had in the area and plenty of water to hunt them in the sloughs.  

Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Redtails or small sucker minnows are producing walleyes in 16 to 22 feet at Potato Lake, Long Lake and Fish Hook Lake. Sucker minnows also are turning northern pike on Big Mantrap Lake in 12 to 15 feet and the Crow Wing Chain remains the best option for panfish in 12 to 14 feet. Grouse hunting reports have been favorable and should improve as more leaves drop. 

Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

Smokey Hills Outdoors (218) 237-5099

PERHAM AREA

A jig and fathead minnow combination or Jigging Rapalas are producing walleyes in 5 to 10 feet or 20 to 30 feet on Big Pine Lake and Little Pine Lake. You’ll also find suspended crappies on these lakes over 18 to 35 feet. Spoons or spinnerbaits thrown on the weedlines of Rush Lake, Big Pine and Little Pine are producing northern pike. Duck numbers look favorable heading into this weekend, and archery hunters have shot a half dozen or so big bucks and most report seeing plenty of deer.

Gene’s Sport Shop (218) 346-3355