Minnesota’s statewide fishing and hunting report on Oct. 22, 2025

GREAT EIGHT

Lake Mille Lacs

Water temperatures are slowly creeping down and there has been a bit more walleye activity at night with crankbaits as a result. Most fish are coming off the 12- to 17-foot rock points and reefs, but you’ll find fish shallower as the water continues to cool. Big minnows and large plastics are producing smallmouth bass on the 12- to 15-foot rocks, but there hasn’t been much for muskie or pike reports over the past week.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811 www.johnsonsportside.com

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430 www.terrysboatharbor.com

Lake Of The Woods

The bite is very similar to last week, which means another great week of walleye fishing on Big Traverse Bay. Strong numbers of walleyes are set up in traditional fall locations across the south shore – Pine Island, Morris Point Gap, in front of Zippel Bay, and Long Point over to Twin Islands are all producing fish. Vertical jigging with a frozen or live emerald shiner is working best in 17 to 25 feet and expect a mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and the occasional crappie. Water temperature was at 53 degrees, early this week. Emerald shiners are funneling into the Rainy River, but not in big numbers at this point. A jig and frozen or live shiner along current breaks, deeper holes, and weed edges is producing walleyes on the river. Sturgeon anglers are reporting some nice fish, and in many cases, good numbers. At the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing continues to be good on both sides of the border. Work a jig and minnow around points, over reefs, neck-down areas, and mud-to rock transition areas.

Lake Of The Woods Tourism Bureau, (800) 382-Fish www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Lake Minnetonka

The 6- to 12-foot weeds throughout the bigger bays are producing sunfish, bass, and pike. A few walleyes are being taken on minnows or crankbaits in 11 to 14 feet along the west side. The east side remains the best option for muskies with large sucker minnows, just off the weeds, in 10 to 15 feet.

Set The Hook Guide Service (952) 454-3266

Lake Vermilion

Walleyes are spread out, but they’re hitting minnows in Pike Bay over 7 to 10 feet or as deep as 35 to 40 feet. You’ll find pike on the rock reefs in 8 to 12 feet – most are hitting Lindy Rigs and minnows. Smallmouth bass reports have been light, but a few are coming off the rock reefs with sucker minnows in 6 to 8 feet. Crappie action has picked up in 12 to 15 feet at the mouth of Pike Bay, around Raspberry Island, and behind Pine Island. Muskie reports have been limited, but there hasn’t been many people fishing for them. The leaves have come down and grouse hunters have started shooting good numbers of birds.

Fishing With Z Guide Service (218) 404-9200

Lake Winnibigoshish

Walleye action remains strong with a jig and minnow on the points and shoreline breaks in 6 to 9 feet. The west side points such as Mallard, Raven’s, and Sugar, all the way up to Third River and the Three Sisters area in Tamarack Bay have been productive. Minnows are also producing perch at the mouth of the Mississippi River, Third River Flowage, and off the points in 6 to 10 feet.

Lake Winnie Resort Association www.lakewinnie.net

Leech Lake

A jig and minnow is turning walleyes on the wind-driven points and shorelines in less than 10 feet. The Bear Island area, Pine Point, Battle Point, and Grand Vu Flats are also producing walleyes on minnows in 7 to 12 feet. The north end of Walker Bay and 5- to 9-foot weeds remain the best options for perch, along with a few walleyes, in 6 to 8 feet. Look for muskies on the rocks in less than 10 feet.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

Elite Angling Adventures (651) 315-9252

Rainy Lake

Minnows or glide baits are turning walleyes around the reefs in 30 to 35 feet. Crappies are bunched up and suspended over the mud in 20 to 25 feet, while smallmouth bass remain active on the mid-lake humps and rocks in 20 to 25 feet. Bigger northern pike continue to be taken with glide baits on the 20- to 25-foot humps as well.

Rainydaze Guide Service (218) 290-6102

Red Lake

There hasn’t been a lot of fishing activity over the past week, mainly due to the wind. If anglers can get out they’re catching walleyes on a jig and minnow in 5 to 9 feet. The north and south shorelines seem to be holding the majority of fish and there has been a few bigger pike and crappies mixed in.

West Wind Resort (218) 647-8998

TWIN CITIES METRO

Northeast Metro

Sucker minnows are producing bass and pike along the 8- to 12-foot weedlines on White Bear Lake, Demontreville Lake, and Lake Jane. Muskies continue to hit large sucker minnows on the 10- to 15-foot weeds throughout Forest Lake, Lake Elmo, and Bald Eagle Lake. Panfish reports have been light, but a jig and minnow continues to produce walleyes on the St. Croix River in 14 to 20 feet. There was a few reports of successful youth deer hunters last weekend, but not much else on the hunting front.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

West Metro

Spinnerbaits and swim baits are producing bass along the 10- to 12-foot weeds on Lake Bavaria and Lake Zumbra. On Lake Waconia, a jig and minnow is turning walleyes in 12 to 14 feet on the north side of North Reef and the Harm’s Point area, while the swimming beach area has been best for muskies with large sucker minnows or swim baits. Panfish action has been slow, while pheasant hunters are doing best just west of the area, hunters continue to find pockets of local ducks. Archery hunters report that deer seem to be moving more during daylight hours.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

STATEWIDE

Alexandria Area

Walleyes are hitting minnows during the day in 14 to 20 feet and crankbaits during the evening hours in 6 to 10 feet on Lake Miltona and Reno Lake. Panfish reports have been limited, but large sucker minnows have started turning muskies along he 10- to 15-foot weeds on Miltona. Crankbaits are producing largemouth bass along the remaining green weeds on Lake Le Homme Dieu, Lake Geneva, and Miltona. Youth hunters shot quite a few deer last weekend, there’s been a few more reports of successful pheasant hunts, but not much from waterfowl hunters.

Christopherson’s Bait And Tackle (320) 763-3255

Annandale Area

Walleyes are hitting minnows on Buffalo Lake, Clearwater Lake, and Big Swan Lake in 10 to 15 feet and Lake Pulaski in 22 to 25 feet. You’ll find sunfish and crappies along the 8- to 15-foot weeds on Clearwater and Lake Augusta. Waterfowl hunters are reporting more mallards, wigeon, and gadwall in the area this week. Youth hunters also shot quite a few deer last weekend.

Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

Battle Lake Area

A jig and minnow is producing walleyes on the 15- to 18-foot humps and breaks throughout Otter Tail Lake during the day, as are crankbaits at night in less than 10 feet.

Stalker Lake is kicking out pike on minnows in 15 feet and large sucker minnows are producing muskies at West Battle Lake over 20 feet; look for suspended fish. Reports were mostly favorable from the youth and antlerless deer hunts last weekend, while duck numbers look pretty light right now.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

Bemidji Area

Despite a week of strong winds, walleye action remains strong with a jig and minnow, live-bait rig and minnow, or glide baits such as Jiggin’ Raps. Lake Bemidji, Lake Plantagenet, Lake Andrusia, and Gull Lake are worth noting in 12 to 28 feet. With water temperatures now in the 50-degree range, most crappies and bluegills have moved out to deeper basins and suspended on local lakes. If you can still find some green weeds, bass fishing has been very good in those areas. Grouse-hunting reports have been mostly positive now that most of the leaves are down.

Dick Beardsley Guide Service (218) 556-7172

Blackduck Area

Fishing pressure has been limited, but you’ll still catch walleyes with minnows on Blackduck Lake, Island Lake, and Gull Lake in 10 to 15 feet. These lakes, along with Pimushe Lake, are also giving up crappies and bluegills in 10 to 15 feet. Youth deer hunters did well last weekend, which included some very nice bucks being shot. Grouse-hunting success has improved over the past week, but duck numbers are light.

Timberline Sports And Tackle (218) 835-4636

Brainerd/Nisswa Area

Crappies are being caught over 25 to 35 feet on Gull Lake, Hubert Lake, and Sylvan Lake – look for suspended fish. Live-bait rigs and a bigger minnow are producing walleyes in 30 to 40 feet on Whitefish Lake, Pelican Lake, and Gull. Largemouth bass continue to be plucked off the remaining green weeds and weed flats on Gull and North Long Lake in 6 to 10 feet.

S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

Cass Lake Area

Muskies are being found suspended about 30 feet down over 50 to 60 feet or along shoreline breaks and in bays around weeds over 10 to 15 feet on Cass Lake. There hasn’t been much for walleye reports, but the number of people fishing for them has been minimal. Lake Andrusia continues to kick out perch in 6 feet.

Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831 Sunsetcove-Resort.com

Chisago Area

Look for sunfish in 12 to 15 feet and crappies suspended over slightly deeper water at North Center Lake, South Center Lake, Chisago Lake, Green Lake, and North Lindstrom Lake. Anglers are hooking walleyes, smallmouth bass, and crappies with a jig and minnow in the deep holes throughout the St. Croix River. Bigger minnows and crankbaits are turning pike along the 10- to 12-foot weed edges on Green, Chisago, and South Center. Minnows are also producing walleyes in 12 to 15 feet at Green and North Center, while bass continue to be caught around remaining green weeds and shorelines on most lakes. Local mallards, wood ducks, geese, and even a few teal continue to be shot.

Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

Cook Area

On the west side of Lake Vermilion, walleyes are hitting minnows and crawlers off the reefs and mid-lake humps in 25 to 35 feet. There’s also walleyes being found on rock piles and other structure in 15 feet. Crappie action has picked up on Pelican Lake and Elephant Lake, mainly over 22 to 30 feet and look for suspended fish. Big sucker minnows or rubber baits are turning muskies on deep rock reefs throughout Vermilion. Hunting reports have been limited over the past week.

Northwoods Bait & Tackle of Cook (218) 780-0089

Crosby Area

Crappies are being found suspended over 30 feet or more on Nokay Lake, Clearwater Lake, and Crooked Lake. Rainbow trout continue to be caught with spoons about 50 to 70 feet down over deeper water on Huntington Pit and Section Six Pit. A jig tipped with minnows or a piece of crawler is producing walleyes in 10 to 12 feet or 20 to 22 feet on Serpent Lake, Farm Island Lake, and Rabbit Lake. Many young hunters shot deer during last weekend’s youth season, success was high, and participation was strong. Early this week, duck numbers were very light, but there seems to be a few more ringnecks around. Grouse hunters seem to be having better success this week than last.

Oars ‘N Mine Bait And Tackle (218) 546-6912

Duluth Area

There’s been fewer people fishing, but minnows continue to produce walleyes in 8 to 10 feet on Boulder Lake and 12 to 15 feet on Island Lake. Look for suspended crappies over 20 feet on Fish Lake. Grouse hunters are definitely flushing and shooting more birds now that much of the cover is gone. Youth deer hunters did well last weekend and archery hunters are reporting increased deer movement and good success close to town.

Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

East Central MN

Fishing activity has been limited over the past week, but some anglers continue to fish from shore on the Rum River and Mississippi River where they’re catching walleyes and smallmouth bass on minnows or plastics. Pheasant hunting has improved as the crops continue to be harvested and reports from youth deer hunters were average or comparable to last year with mainly antlerless deer shot.

Tales And Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985

Ely Area

Walleyes are hitting minnows and crankbaits on Shagawa Lake, White Iron Lake, and Birch Lake as shallow as 6 feet early and late each day, out to 32 feet during midday hours. Smallmouth bass have moved deeper, 15 to 25 feet, around sunken islands on Snowbank Lake, Fall Lake, and Farm Lake. Look to the river mouths and remaining weeds for pike on Basswood Lake, White Iron, and Shagawa. You’ll find rainbow trout about 30 feet down in the water column on Miner’s Lake, Hanson Lake, and Tofte Lake. Grousehunting reports have been very good over the past week and there’s been noticeably more diver ducks moving into the area over the past week.

Arrowhead Outdoors (218) 365-5358

Faribault/Shieldsville Area

Fishing activity has been limited, but Lake Mazaska continues to produce crappies and sunfish in 12 to 15 feet. The youth deer season seemed to go well with many young hunters filling tags, duck hunters are shooting more birds than pheasant hunters.

Lake Country Convenience & Bait (507) 334-9711

Grand Rapids/Deer River Area

Bucktails or big sucker minnows are turning muskies in 10 to 15 feet on North Star Lake and Moose Lake. A jig and minnow is turning walleyes in 12 to 15 feet on Lake Pokegama and 6 to 12 feet on Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake. Crappies are being found suspended over 20 to 30 feet on Bowstring Lake, Sand Lake, and Big Splithand Lake. Grouse hunters are doing better than waterfowl hunters and reports were minimal from the youth deer season.

Thousand Lakes Sporting Goods (218) 999-5992

Grey Eagle Area

Anglers have been battling through some strong winds over the past week, but those going out are catching walleyes with larger minnows on Big Birch Lake in 15 to 22 feet or 30 to 40 feet. Minnows have also turned a few walleyes on Big Swan Lake and Little Birch Lake in 18 to 25 feet. There hasn’t been much for panfish reports, but windy conditions likely played a part in that. Hunting reports have also been limited, but youth deer hunters seemed to do OK locally last weekend.

Nancy’s Bait & Tackle (320) 285-2405

Hackensack Area

Hair jigs are turning smallmouth bass in 15 to 20 feet on Woman Lake and Ten Mile Lake. Minnows remain the ticket for walleyes on Woman in 10 to 12 feet or 18 to 22 feet. Look to Pleasant Lake for a mixed bag of panfish in 15 to 18 feet. With much of the cover now down, grouse hunters are now flushing more birds, although windy conditions have limited hunting activity over the past week. There hasn’t been much for new ducks moving into the area since last week.

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

Hutchinson Area

The Otter Lake portion of the Crow River is producing walleyes on minnows and plastics, out from the ditches, in less than 6 feet. Look for crappies and a few walleyes on Big Swan Lake in 6 to 9 feet. Anglers fishing from shore on Lake Allie and Star Lake are catching walleyes and crappies. Young hunters had a lot of success during the youth deer season last weekend and most pheasant-hunting reports have also been favorable.

The Outpost Inc. (320) 587-8177

Mora Area

Sunfish are being caught in 4 to 6 feet on Ann Lake and crappies continue to come off Knife Lake in 6 to 8 feet. Work the deep holes on the Snake River with a jig and minnow or plastic for smallmouth bass and a few walleyes. Duck hunting reports have been best just north of the immediate area.

Jerry’s Sport & Bait Shop (320) 679-2151

Orr Area

A jig and rainbow minnow is producing walleyes and pike on Pelican Lake in 15 feet. There’s still a few anglers heading up to Namakan Lake, Lake Kabetogama, and Sand Point Lake where minnows are also turning walleyes in 22 to 26 feet. There wasn’t much activity for bass or panfish over the past week. Grouse hunters have been out in force, there’s birds to be had, but strong winds have limited success.

Norman’s One Stop (218) 757-3291

Ortonville Area

Bluegills, some crappies, and the occasional pod of bigger perch are being found in 10 to 13 feet on Big Stone Lake. Crankbaits and jigs with minnows or plastics are turning a few walleyes on the 4- to 8-foot rocks and shoreline breaks throughout Big Stone. There’s been people fishing from shore in town on Big Stone, but water temperatures have to drop a few more degrees to really get this shoreline bite going. There’s still ducks being shot, but there hasn’t been much for new birds moving in. Pheasant-hunting reports have been lighter, but the wind likely limited activity over the past week.

Artie’s Bait (320) 839-2480

Park Rapids Area

Walleyes and pike are hitting bigger minnows or glide baits in 16 to 22 feet at Potato Lake and Big Sand Lake. Smallmouth bass remain active, hitting minnows or plastics on the 12- to 15-foot rocks at Lake Belle Taine, Ten Mile Lake, and Potato Lake. Panfish reports have been light, but muskies remain active along the 10- to 15-foot weeds on Many Point Lake and Big Mantrap Lake. Waterfowl hunters are still shooting puddle ducks and there seems to be a few more ringnecks around. Youth deer hunters had success comparable to last year and grouse are providing mixed reports – some decent and some poor.

Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

Smokey Hills Outdoors (218) 237-5099

Perham Area

A vertically-presented jig and minnow or Jiggin’ Rap continues to produce walleyes in 25 to 35 feet on Otter Tail Lake, Big Pine Lake, and Rush Lake. There hasn’t been much for panfish action since last week, mainly due to consistently windy conditions, but you’ll still find suspended crappies over 25 to 35 feet on Big Pine, Rush, and Star Lake. Duck numbers have not improved much over the past week, but the youth deer season sounded like it went OK.

Gene’s Sport Shop (218) 346-3355

Red Wing Area

Crankbaits, Dubuque Rigs, and jigs with plastics are producing walleyes and saugers from the Head of the Lakes to Red Wing. You’ll want to cover water since the fish are spread out in 10 to 15 feet. Sturgeon remain active along the current seams below the dam on the Mississippi River. Hunters that participated in the early antlerless and youth deer seasons did very well, but duck numbers remain light.

Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

Richmond/PaynesvilleArea

Walleyes continue to hit minnows or crankbaits on Horseshoe Lake in 8 to 12 feet, Lake Koronis in 12 to 16 feet, and Rice Lake in 15 to 25 feet. Crappies continue to be found along weedy shorelines or suspended over 15 to 25 feet on Cedar Island Lake, Long Lake, Big Lake, and Horseshoe. Hunters continue to pound away at a decent number of local mallards, youth deer hunters did well last weekend, but pheasant-hunting reports have been light.

Channel Marine And Sports (320) 597-5975

Sauk Centre Area

There’s been fewer people fishing, but those still heading out are catching walleyes with minnows on Lake Villard in 18 to 20 feet, Big Sauk Lake in 6 to 15 feet, and along the east shore of Lake Osakis in 14 to 16 feet. You’ll find sunfish on the north end of Osakis in 12 to 14 feet and the narrows on the north end of Big Sauk in 8 to 10 feet. Long Bridge Lake continues to produce crappies in 14 feet and hunting reports have been light over the past week.

Fletcher’s Bait Shop (320) 352-2155

Starbuck Area

Walleye action has picked up on Lake Minnewaska, in and around the 15-foot weeds, with a jig and shiner minnow. Look for suspended fish off Priest Point, High School Bar, and Starbuck Beach. The Glenwood end of Minnewaska started giving up crappies, out from the DNR access, in 15 to 22 feet. A jig tipped with minnows or plastics is also producing walleyes at the outlet area on Lake Emily. The corn is coming out and pheasant-hunting success has improved. There seems to be a decent number of birds around. Youth deer hunters did well last weekend, but there hasn’t been much talk about ducks.

Last Cast Bait And Tackle (320) 239-2239

St. Cloud Area

Largemouth bass remain active in the 6- to 12-foot weeds on most lakes. The deep holes or current breaks on the Mississippi River continue to produce smallmouth bass and a few walleyes, mainly on bigger minnows.

Pitch minnows for walleyes on Horseshoe Lake in 10 to 15 feet and Lake Koronis in 12 to 20 feet.

MN Fishing Guide Service (320) 291-0708 www.minnesotaguideservice.com

Windom/Marshall Area

Hit the Milan Bridge area of Lake Lac qui Parle with a jig and minnow for walleyes. There’s been a few walleyes caught during the evening hours on Lake Sarah by pitching jigs along the shorelines. Reports from the youth deer hunt were mixed and participation seemed to be down compared to last year. Pheasanthunting reports have also been mixed, but there’s definitely been more good than poor reports from local hunters.

Borch’s Sporting Goods (507) 532-4880

SOUTH DAKOTA

Webster Area

Another week of strong winds has limited fishing opportunities, but when people can get out, they’re catching fish. Walleyes remain active, hitting minnows, on Waubay Lake in 21 to 24 feet, Bitter Lake in 15 to 18 feet, and Hazelton Lake in 12 to 15 feet. Hit Clear Lake for bluegills in 8 to 15 feet. Pheasant and waterfowl hunters are doing well, although there hasn’t been a big push of new ducks or geese into the area.

Sportsman’s Cove (605) 345-2468

NORTH DAKOTA

Devil’s Lake

Between wind events, crankbaits are turning walleyes along the old shorelines out west in 10 to 18 feet and on the main lake in 20 to 25 feet. Jigs tipped with minnows or plastics are also producing walleyes on the rocks and weed edges in 8 to 10 feet. There doesn’t seem to be much for new ducks in the area and mallard numbers seem down compared to what they normally are by this time of the season.

Eye Hangers Guide Service (701) 230-7080