Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report – Oct. 19, 2018

Great Eight

LAKE MILLE LACS        

Fishing activity has been limited, mainly due to poor weather conditions. Once the winds calm, walleyes should be an easy catch with crankbaits on the shallow- to mid-depth rocks, especially during the evening hours. Muskies also should start to move onto the shallow rocks as water temps drop enough to get the tullibees up to spawn.  For now, trolling on the north end sand breaks has been best.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Good numbers of walleyes were caught despite a lot of precipitation this past week. They are staging at various south shore locations in 20 to 29 feet and hitting a jig and frozen shiners. Strong walleye activity continues on the Rainy River with a jig and frozen shiners and some anglers also are trolling crankbaits. Sturgeon continue to have the feed bag on. At the Northwest Angle, limits of walleyes are being caught on jigs in 14 to 25 feet. Look to areas of current in neck down spots and outside of bays.  The crappie bite continues strong, big pike are making their presence felt, and muskie trollers are boating good numbers of fish.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH   

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA    

Lake Independence started kicking out walleyes in 15 to 17 feet on Lindy Rigs and minnows. On Minnetonka, minnows are producing walleyes just outside the channels in 15 to 18 feet in the late afternoon and in the channels at night. The channels are giving up crappies as well. Pike and largemouth bass remain active on the weed flats of Minnetonka. Muskie reports have been sporadic, but sucker minnows are turning a few in 10 to 12 feet on Minnetonka and Independence. Hunting reports have been light.

Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

LAKE VERMILION

Steady winds and cold have limited fishing opportunities since last week, but the few anglers going are catching walleyes. Trolling crankbaits over 6 feet in Pike Bay, leadcore and crankbaits in 20 to 25 feet in Daisy Bay, and a jig and minnow on the reefs in 25 to 30 feet has all produced fish. Muskie action continues to be best on top of the shallow rocks and points.

Pike Bay Lodge (218) 753-2430

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

The weather has really kept most people off the lake since last week. With some improved conditions, a jig and minnow will produce walleyes and perch on the points, shoreline breaks, and remaining weed edges.

Lake Winnie Resort Association                   

LEECH LAKE

Windy weather has again limited angling pressure since last week. When people can get out, walleyes are being taken with minnows on the points and deep humps in Walker Bay. Perch reports have been best in 9 to 12 feet in the Narrows, Sand Point, Agency Bay, and Cedar Point. Muskie action continues to be best on the shallow rocks with sucker minnows or rubber baits. Waterfowl hunters have started to see more divers moving in.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

Shriver’s Bait Company (218) 547-2250

RAINY LAKE     

The weather hasn’t been very good to get out and fish. But those that find windows of opportunity are finding walleyes, pike, and crappies at varying depths around submerged structure. Crappies are also being caught in the west end of Black Bay and up into the Rat Root River. Bird hunters are flushing more grouse as the cover has been coming down, but the weather hasn’t been very cooperative. 

International Falls CVB (800) 325-5766

RED LAKE

Reports have been limited due to a lack of people venturing out in the wind, rain, snow, and cold. Hunting action also has been limited, again due to the weather.

Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO

A jig and minnow is turning walleyes on the 10- to 22-foot points and structure of the St. Croix River. Muskies are hitting sucker minnows in less than 10 feet at Bald Eagle Lake, Forest Lake, and White Bear Lake. Look for sunfish in 8 to 12 feet on Big Marine Lake and Powers Lake, bass on Demontreville Lake, and northern pike in the weeds of Powers and Tanners Lake.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO

Sucker minnows continue to produce northern pike on the 14- to 18-foot weedlines of Steiger Lake and Wasserman Lake. Big sucker minnows remain the best option for muskies off the reefs, carp trap, and swimming beach areas of Lake Waconia. Waconia also is giving up a few walleyes each evening in 16 to 20 feet. Waterfowl activity has slowed and an abundance of wet fields and standing corn has limited pheasant hunting success.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

SOUTH METRO

Prior Lake continues to give up walleyes on minnows in 5 to 15 feet, but fishing pressure has been limited due to the weather. Hunters are reporting good numbers of ducks and geese in the area and most are shooting a mixed bag of ducks as well.

Prior Lake Bait & Tackle (952) 447-6096

Statewide

ANNANDALE AREA

Pleasant Lake and Clearwater Lake are giving up a few walleyes on minnows in 15 to 25 feet. Large sucker minnows have produced a muskie or two on Sugar Lake in 12 to 14 feet. Work the remaining weedlines on Lake John, Granite Lake, Sugar, and Clearwater for bass and northern pike. It was a slow pheasant opener, but hunters are seeing decent numbers of puddle ducks.

Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE AREA

Muskie action has been good with large sucker minnows in the 10- to 20-foot weeds of West Battle Lake and Clitherall Lake. Northern pike also are hitting sucker minnows in 15 to 20 feet on Otter Tail Lake, South Turtle Lake, and West Battle. Walleye reports have varied, but some fish are coming from 18 to 25 feet on Otter Tail, West Battle, Rush Lake, and Fish Lake. Look to Stalker Lake, Donald Lake, and South Turtle for largemouth bass in 10 to 14 feet. Sunfish are being found in 10 to 14 feet on Elbow Lake, Clitherall, West Battle, and Fish. There has been some new ducks moving in, but hunters are seeing better numbers of geese.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA

With the cold, windy, snowy weather this past week, there sure hasn’t been many folks out on the lakes. But the walleye bite has been good on Lake Bemidji, Big Lake, Lake Plantagenet, and Turtle River Lake for those braving the elements. Jigs and minnows are producing fish in 12 to 30 feet on these lakes. Look to Bemidji for large pike and muskies by slow-trolling large sucker minnows. You’ll still find bass along the remaining green cabbage and crappies have now set up over deep basin areas. 

Dick Beardsley Guide Service (218) 556-7172

BLACKDUCK AREA

Fishing reports have been limited due to poor weather. Once it improves, a jig and minnow should produce walleyes on lakes such as Blackduck and Island in 10 to 12 feet or so. Grouse reports have improved quite a bit with the rain and wind knocking most of the leaves down. Duck hunting also has been pretty good with a few more mallards and ringbills moving in. 

Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636

CASS LAKE AREA

Redtail minnows are turning walleyes on the main basin of Cass Lake in 20 to 30 feet. Walleyes also can be had with minnows on the 10- to 20-foot weedlines on Pike Bay Lake or in Allen’s Bay on Cass. Numbers of jumbo perch are being caught on the west side of Pike Bay or the Star Island area and Allen’s Bay on Cass. 

Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831              

CHISAGO AREA   

Hit the channel between Chisago Lake and South Lindstrom Lake for panfish in 6 to 10 feet. Crappies and sunfish also are being caught in front of the A-Frame on Chisago or the bays on North and South Center lakes. A few walleyes are being taken with a jig and minnow on the bars and rocks of North Center, South Center, Chisago, and Green Lake. Standing corn is limiting pheasant hunting success, and waterfowl reports have been minimal as well.

Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

CROSBY AREA

Crankbaits or jigs and minnows are producing smallmouth bass in the deeper holes of the  Mississippi River and Pine River. Look to Serpent Lake, Rabbit Lake, and Clearwater Lake for a few walleyes in most hard-bottom areas over 30 feet or more – jigs and minnows are working best. Crappies are suspended over 30 to 50 feet at Bay Lake and Clearwater. There’s been some new ducks moving into the area including decent numbers of ringnecks and a few bluebills.

Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912

DETROIT LAKES AREA

Muskie fishing remains strong with sucker minnows in 5 to 15 feet  of water on Big Detroit Lake, Lake Sallie, and Pelican Lake. You’ll find walleyes in 20 to 25 feet of water and hitting minnows at Big Detroit and Lake Melissa. Panfish action has been limited.

Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA   

Large sucker minnows continue to produce muskies on the St. Louis River in 8 to 10 feet of water and Island Lake in 10 to 15 feet of water. The Highbanks area on Fish Lake continues to kick out crappies in 15 feet as well. The wind and rain has eliminated a lot of cover so grouse hunting should start to improve if the weather allows hunters to get out.

Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

EAST CENTRAL MN

Look for walleyes on Green Lake in 14 to 20 feet during the day or in less than 10 feet at night. A jig and minnow continues to work best. Ducks and geese are being shot, especially in flooded crop fields, which are numerous after all the rain. 

Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985

FAIRMONT AREA

Jigs tipped with minnows or plastics are producing walleyes on Tuttle Lake in 4 to 6 feet during the day. There is some evening walleye action with minnows and plastics in the channels between lakes George, Hall, Budd, and Sisseton. Anglers fishing from shore on Budd, Sisseton, and George are catching panfish as well. The pheasant season started on a slow note, and even though duck numbers appear good, an abundance of water has them spread out.

Sommer Outdoors (507) 235-5225

FARIBAULT AREA

Anglers fishing from shore by the bridge on Cannon Lake are catching perch on minnows. Crappies also are being caught with minnows on Roberds Lake and French Lake over 15 to 17 feet. Duck numbers are limited, but there are geese being shot. Pheasant reports from opening weekend were limited. 

Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341

FERGUS FALLS AREA

Minnows are producing walleyes and crappies in 11 to 13 feet on Anna Lake. Work the remaining, green weeds for panfish on Norway Lake, Turtle Lake, and Fish Lake. There’s been a push of new ducks and geese into the area including ringbills and redheads.

Little Chief Outpost (218) 998-5050

HACKENSACK AREA 

A jig and minnow is producing walleyes in 20 to 25 feet on Woman Lake, Ten Mile Lake, and Pine Mountain Lake. Look for suspended crappies over 20 feet or more on Birch Lake, Mule Lake, and Pleasant Lake. Sucker minnows are triggering muskies in 6 to 14 feet on Little Boy Lake and Lake Wabedo. Grouse hunting has improved with the leaves knocked down, while geese, puddle ducks, and some ringbills are keeping waterfowl hunters busy.

Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176

ORTONVILLE AREA

When the weather is calm, allowing anglers to get out, perch are biting in the Hartford Beach area on the north end of Big Stone Lake in 11 feet. A few walleyes also can be had along the shorelines of Big Stone during the evening hours. Despite a lot of standing corn, pheasant hunters are seeing birds. Waterfowl hunters are shooting a mixed bag of ducks with more divers in the mix this past week.

Artie’s Bait (320) 839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA

The few anglers heading out are catching walleyes in 25 to 30 feet on Big Sand Lake, Long Lake, and Fish Hook Lake. Large sucker minnows are producing muskies off the rocks and deep points of Big Mantrap Lake. Grouse hunting has improved since the leaves came down and a few diver ducks have moved into the area.

Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

Smokey Hills Outdoors (218) 237-5099

SAUK CENTRE AREA

You’ll find suspended crappies over 25 to 30 feet and sunfish in 8 to 12 feet on the north end of Lake Osakis. The north end of Sauk Lake continues to produce walleyes on minnows in 6 to 12 feet and Maple Lake is kicking out sunfish on most shallow weed edges. Waterfowl hunters continue to find good numbers of geese, mallards, and wood ducks in the area.

Fletcher’s Bait Shop (320) 352-2155

WILLMAR AREA

Fishing reports have been limited due to the weather. Anglers fishing from shore with minnows are catching perch on Big Kandi Lake and a few walleyes on Lake Minnetoga. Shore fishing by the culverts on Ringo Lake has produced some walleyes as well. Waterfowl and pheasant reports have not been good.

Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097

WINDOM/MARSHALL AREA

Walleyes continue to be caught with minnows or plastics on jigs along the shorelines of Lake Shetek, Lake Sarah, Rock Lake, Current Lake, Wood Lake, and Goose Lake. The pheasant opener went well as hunters found pockets of birds despite a lot of standing corn and wet fields. Duck and goose hunting also is going strong with a mixed bag of puddle and diver ducks being shot.

Borch’s Sporting Goods (507) 532-4880