Minnesota Statewide Fishing Reports
INFO AS OF 7-15-2010

Northeast Minnesota

International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

Rainy Lake continues to provide good fishing. Walleye are being caught in roughly 10 feet of water in Sand Bay and Black Bay. Walleye are also coming from the main lake reefs in 25-30 feet of water. The best technique is to use leeches or minnows. Large northern pike are being caught around the weedy edges of the bays along the south shoreline, such as Cranberry and Lost bays. There are reports of large pike coming from the east side of Brule Narrows as well. Smallmouth bass are attacking crayfish-colored lures worked along the rocky southern shoreline, especially in areas where there is a mix of weeds and sandy bottom. While Rainy River levels have been fluctuating, leading to a change in behavior and patterns, there continue to be good walleye and smallmouth bass reports. The sturgeon tag season is open and anglers have been catching sturgeon below the dam at International Falls, as well as below the rapids at Indus and Birchdale. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Anglers are enjoying excellent fishing conditions, with nice warm days, cool evenings, and the disappearance of mayflies. On Lake Kabetogama, walleye anglers report a steady morning and evening bite in depths of 15-22 feet. During mid-day when it is sunny, hit the reefs or the sharp drop-offs from the shoreline structure, working depths of 28-32 feet. The best baits have been leeches and minnows. Slip sinker rigs are producing good numbers, but some are doing well using jig and minnow combinations. Walleye are in somewhat of a transitional state due to the fast rising water levels and temperatures. Higher water levels effect the currents and algae in the shallow bays, causing the baitfish to search elsewhere for food, which causes the predator fish to follow. And, rain changes the oxygen levels in the shallow bays, and walleye tend to remain in the shallow bays and shorelines during low light periods before moving deeper. The most successful anglers are those prepared to move from zone to zone. Northern pike action has been good overall, however large females have been less willing to bite. Suicks, large spinners and X-raps have been great casting baits, and husky jerks and semi-surface lures have worked well when trolled over weed tops. Smallmouth bass action has been sporadic; for the most fish, try trolling and casting along the shorelines using plastics, Mepps spinners and artificial crayfish. For more information on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Ely

The walleye bite remains steady in 12-16 foot depths, however some anglers are catching them in as little as 6 feet of water when targeting smallmouth bass. The best baits are leeches and crawlers, either on a small jig or a lindy rig. Night fishing has been good as well, with fish falling for minnows or leeches under a lighted slip bobber. Birch, Shagawa and White Iron lakes are the top producers. Crappies are still lurking in the shallows, with some taken directly under the lily pads on Bear Island and Twin lakes. Tiny jigs and flies, as well as small minnows under bobbers have been best. Northern pike weighing up to 20-pounds are hammering shallow-running plugs and spinners on Cedar, Fall and Shagawa lakes. For the most fish, try ripping sub-surface lures and spinnerbaits. To find out more, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion

While the mayfly hatch is over for the year, the perch hatch has begun, and this makes walleye fishing a bit more challenging. Still, the walleye are biting, and the reef bite during evening hours has been excellent. Large leeches worked a foot off the bottom in depths of 12-15 feet have been best, especially at the humps near deep water. Crankbaits are also working very well when worked at the weedlines during the day and windswept shorelines in the evening. During evening hours, increase the crankbaits to size #11 or #13. Muskie action has been outstanding, with the water temperatures exceeding 75-degrees, making these fish ornry. Try double-10's late in the day and well after dark. Topwater lures are also working well at the rocks when conditions are right. Bass fishing has been great, with smallmouth bass hitting senkos fished wacky and weightless, and pitched to the vertical structure during the day. To learn more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage

Bass are biting on Alton Lake, with lots of walleye being pulled from Alton, Sawbill, and Smoke lakes. Crescent, Homer, and Brule lakes can be counted on for at least a few walleye. On Gunflint Lake, lake trout are hitting jigs worked in 30-plus feet of water. Walleye are taking jigs tipped with leeches in depths of 10-14 feet. Smallmouth bass are responding to rapalas cast along the shoreline. On Lake Superior, guides report lots of salmon and lake trout limits, with fish found about 80 feet down right outside the Grand Marais harbor. A few might even be taken on an orange spoon when casting from shore. Walleye fishing is going well in many Grand Marais area lakes. Anglers having the most success are using crawlers and leeches in roughly 12 feet of water around the rock piles and weed beds. Slip bobbers and live bait rigs have been best. Some lakes to check out include McFarland, East Bearskin, Sawbill and Pike. Lake trout are active in 35-40 feet of water on Duncan, West Bearskin, Gunflint, Moss, and Kemo, with spoons and jigs tipped with a cisco, or just a cisco on a plain hook working well. Slowly trolling spoons has also been productive. Smallmouth bass remain very active on Devil Track, Poplar, Hungry Jack, and Seagull lakes; try a jig and minnow combination, a crawler on a hook, or casting spinners for lots of fish. Rainbow trout anglers report lots of action when using crawlers or Swedish pimples in depths of 15 feet on Kimball, Mink, Leo, Trestle, and Pine lakes. To find out more, check out www.VisitCookCounty.com

Grand Rapids

With water temperatures now in the 70-degree range, fish are well into their mid-summer patterns. Bait fish populations are at their peak, which has slowed walleye fishing somewhat. Winnibighoshish and Pokegama continue to produce fish, with spinners and nightcrawlers giving the best results. Anglers should continue to look for fish on the structure in 12-25 feet of water on Pokegama Lake, and in 20-26 feet of water on Winnie. The moon will be full on July 25, and some local guides say that the night action should really heat up that night. Bass are actively hitting plastic worms at the weedlines and bulrush beds. Crappie and sunfish action is still best during evening hours. For more information, check out www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

On Lake of the Woods, anglers continue to take their limits, with lots of trophy fish also being taken! The Northwest Angle and Islands area is giving up excellent numbers of multiple species. For limits of walleye, hit depths of 10-12 feet or 22-26 feet using a 3/8-ounce gold or orange jig. On the south end of the lake, anglers are taking incredible numbers of walleye when anchored over 30-32 feet of water and using a brightly-colored jig tipped with a leech or minnow. Just a few of the hot spots are just outside of Pine Island, Morris Point, and Zippel Bay. Muskie and northern pike action continues to increase with the rising water temperatures. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

To find out where the fish are biting, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Walker - Leech Lake

On Leech Lake, anglers are having to compete with the abundant baitfish and crayfish hatches this spring, and the walleye bite has been tough during the day. The most numbers are being taken as the sun is setting, and into the night. The best presentation during evening hours has been to pull perch- and crayfish-colored shad raps, with minnow-colors also producing fish. Do some experimenting to learn which size of plug and speed works best. The best reports have been coming from Walker Bay, Cedar Point, Pine Point, and into the Traders Bay. In the main part of Leech Lake, shad rap fishing has been successful from Northland Reef to Stony Point. Daytime anglers using live bait rigs were finding some large fish in the Duck Point area of Sucker Bay, at The Trench off Stony Point, in Mokey Reef, and in the Submarine Island area. Muskie reports continue to be good in the Portage Bay area, around Pelican Island, and at the Walker Narrows. Largemouth bass remain active in Steamboat and Boy bays. For further nformation, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit www.leech-lake.com

Cass Lake/ Deer River - Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux lakes

Lake Winnibigoshish is producing good numbers of fish, with most of the fish coming off the humps and bars in the main lake. Lindy rigs with leeches and crawlers and 3-5 foot snell have been best in 22-24 feet of water. When fishing on a bar, check your electronics until you find fish, and then throw out a marker and work this location. On calm days, hit the shallow rocks using a jig and minnow. On Sand and Bowstring lakes, walleye were recently pulled from the top of the water at the edge of the shallow cabbage on 1/8-ounce gumball jigs and golden shiners. To find out more, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Park Rapids

Fishing has been more consistent on area lakes, with lots of walleye action on some of the larger lakes with mid-70 water temperatures. Large fish, as well as good numbers of walleye, have been coming from 20-28 foot depths on crawlers and leeches. Northern pike and muskies continue to strike along the shallow to mid-depth weedlines. The presence of baitfish is key to locating these deep water predators, making sonar electronics essential. Minnows and deep-diving crankbaits are working best for the pike. The monster-sized muskies are following the same pattern, however much larger gear should be used to land one of these fish. While largemouth bass activity has been strong, smallmouth bass action has slowed somewhat. Shallow and mid-depth weedlines are holding most of the bass, with soft plastic baits, such as northland's jungle hog, best at luring them out of the weeds. Crappies and bluegills are very active at the mid-depth weed edges. Black 1/16-ounce jigs tossed into 10-16 feet of water are producing large numbers of fish. Crappie anglers should stick with low light conditions, while bluegill anglers are having success all day long. For more information, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

To learn what's biting and where, dial 1-800-542-3992, or go to www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Otter Tail Lakes Area

Panfish action has been excellent in 8-15 feet of water on the smaller area lakes. Crappies have been a little more hesitant to bite. Walleye are being pulled from depths of 20-30 feet of water during the day on crawlers and leeches, which is typical for this time of year. Bass have been very active; for the most fish, use a scum frog. A few muskies were recently pulled from West Battle Lake by anglers trolling the deeper waters. For more information, dial 1-800-423-4571, or check out www.ottertailcountry.com

Miltona

To find out what techniques are working best, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Whitefish Chain of Lakes Area

As of late last week, walleye action had picked-up even more, with fish hitting long lindy rigs pulled through 18-24 feet of water. Leeches and crawlers were best. Northern pike action was great along the weedlines. Anglers trolling spinner rigs with large sucker minnows, and throwing spinnerbaits or spoons were doing well. For bass, plastic worm rigs were drawing fish from the weeds. Crappie and panfish anglers were doing well using minnows and worms on small hooks or jigs in 12-16 feet of water. To learn more, visit www.whitefish.org

Brainerd Lakes Area

Fishing in the Brainerd Lakes Area has been excellent, with lots of walleye coming from Gull Lake and the Whitefish Chain. For the most fish, hit the outside weed edge using a live bait rig tipped with a chub. The bass fishing has been nothing short of spectacular, with a variety of methods producing fish on Gull, North Long, and Whitefish. For smallmouth bass, hit the rocks using a wacky hooked plastic worm. For largemouth bass, use a weedless jig tipped with a plastic worm, or try a deep-diving crankbait on the outside weed edge. The northern pike bite is starting to pick up and will only get better as the water gets warmer. For the most fish, try weed weasel jigs tipped with a pike sucker on the outside weed edge. For further information, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs

On Lake Mille Lacs, the excellent June walleye bite has tapered off a bit as predicted due to warmer air and water temperatures. Walleye anglers having the most success are pulling spinners with crawlers or deep-diving crankbaits through 19-30 foot depths on the flats. During low light periods, bobber fish the rocks or troll deep-running crankbaits on the south end of the lake in depths of 12-15 feet or more. The smallmouth bass are hitting tube jigs worked in 4-8 feet of water. As of July 15, 2010, the protected slot will change to 20-28 inches and walleye anglers will be able to keep more fish. At present, anglers must release all walleye measuring 18-28 inches in length. To learn more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar

Lots of sunfish, walleye and bass are coming from Eagle Lake, with good numbers of panfish being pulled from Lake Andrew in Sibley Lake State Park. Northern pike and panfish have been very active on Norway Lake. While the shallower lakes aren't producing as many bites, there are quite a few fish coming from Ringo Lake where the culvert travels under the road. To find out more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area

As of late last week, bass were extremely active on Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes, with fish schooled up on the rocks and in the deeper waters. Please note that all bass measuring 12-inches and longer must be returned to the water. This regulation, however, provides anglers with a good chance of catching 50- to 100-fish a day, along with an occasional 5- to 6-pound fish! For the most action, work the deeper weedlines and rocks either Carolina rigging or working deep-running crankbaits. Sunrise Lake had been good for lots of bass and northern pike action. For the pike, use sucker minnows under a bobber. Panfish and crappies were coming from South Lindstrom Lake. The crappies were found suspended in 16-25 feet of water, at 6-10 feet. Walleye anglers were finding fish on the edge of the weedlines at the transition from hard to soft bottoms in depths of 10-16 feet. Trolling the weedlines with shad raps worked best. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakeschamber.com

White Bear Lake Area Lakes

To learn what's biting and where, dial 651/653-5122, or check out www.ExploreWhiteBear.org

Waconia

Fish are finally settling into their normal summer patterns, and behavior is becoming more predictable. The water temperatures are in the upper 70s and low 80s. The trend for most species is to begin moving deeper. The bass have been biting very well in both the shallow and deep waters. Many of the larger fish are coming off of the deeper cabbage and weed beds. Some of the best areas include Reinke's Bay, Anderson's Reef and Cemetary Reef. Anglers using Texas-rigged worms and bass jigs are hooking some monster bass. If you prefer the shallows, topwater and spinner baits are producing fish on the north side of the lake in the pencil grass and reeds. The larger sunfish are becoming a bit more difficult to locate, having moved to roughly 16-feet of water and starting to scatter across the weeds. The best bet is to use a slip bobber with a panfish leech or waxworm. Anglers are finding some fish in the 5-6 foot cabbage beds in Reinke's Bay and along the southern shoreline. Most of the walleye are being caught at night and during low light periods. Rigging and slip bobber fishing have been best, especially in depths of 17-22 feet off the weed lines. Crawlers and leeches have been the most productive. Popular spots include Keg's Reef and Anderson's Reef. Current elevated water temperatures put muskies at high risk of exhaustion. While numbers have dropped, anglers are still raising a few fish here and there. While no fishing pressure would be best for the muskies for the next couple of weeks, anyone choosing to actively target these fish should do so on cooler nights and mornings. A rule of thumb: if the water temperature is over 80 degrees, put down the stick and target other species. For more information, dial 952/442-5812, or check out www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Lake City -Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River

As of late last week, the walleye and sauger bite remained good throughout Lake Pepin despite the hot temperatures and heavy rains. Anglers took the most fish on live bait rigs, and crankbaits trolled on leadcore. The bass bite was great in the many backwater areas downstream on the Mississippi River, and the smallmouth bass were also fairly active on the many rip rap shorelines of Lake Pepin. The channel cat bite was nothing short of fantastic. To find out more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Lanesboro

As of Tuesday, July 13, excellent trout stream conditions remain in southeast Minnesota, with nearly all streams reported to have clear and normal water conditions. Only the South Branch of the Whitewater stream is reported to be slightly cloudy. A number of small caddis species are hatching. These include those in the genius Neureclipsis, Psychomyia, and Cheumatopsyche, and all are in the #16-20 range. Yellow stoneflies (Isoperla spp.) have also been observed on area streams. Midging, especially with pupa patterns, has been effective. The North and Middle Branch of the Root are also looking really good for those interested in smallmouth bass and large brown trout. To learn more, dial 1-800-944-2670, or visit www.lanesboro.com

Albert Lea

For information on what's biting and where, dial 1-800-345-8414, or check out www.albertleatourism.org

Ortonville -Big Stone Lake

While fish remain extremely active on Big Stone Lake, setting the hook has become a bit more of a challenge. A typical July pattern has started with the warmer air and water temperatures, resulting in more sluggish walleye. The majority of fish are being taken during morning hours, beginning around 5:30 a.m. and ending by 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. Some walleye are also coming from the docks after 10:00 p.m. White bass have been keeping anglers busy, with reports of good numbers of these fighters being taken. A few perch continue to be netted, but this bite has slowed somewhat. The dog days of summer have arrived, and as usual, anglers need to be more persistent in order to get rewarded with a good catch. To find out more, dial 1-800-568-5722, or visit www.bigstonelake.com

The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism.