LOW fishing report

[Lee Borgersen]

Published September 14, 2012, 06:45 AM
AREA FISHING REPORT
Anglers continue to catch walleyes from Stony Point down to Long Point, all the way over to Lighthouse Gap. The deep mud and rock reefs of Big Traverse Bay are holding fish in 25 to 35 feet of water, with crankbaits, spinner rigs and jigs providing the best action.
 LAKE OF THE WOODS
Anglers continue to catch walleyes from Stony Point down to Long Point, all the way over to Lighthouse Gap. The deep mud and rock reefs of Big Traverse Bay are holding fish in 25 to 35 feet of water, with crankbaits, spinner rigs and jigs providing the best action.

At the Northwest Angle, Scott Edman of Angling Adventures Guiding Service said Ontario waters have been offering good fishing for walleye, perch and crappies. Jigging minnows around points and dropoff areas will result in some nice mixed bag catches, Edman said, and the fishing will get even better later in the fall. Muskie anglers have continued to report good action casting, and larger pike and muskies have been hanging around the deep schools of walleyes, crappies and perch that are forming. Anglers continue to find smallmouth bass near shore, but the fish will start moving deeper as the water begins to cool.

On the Rainy River, walleye fishing has been best at the dam in International Falls, Minn., where fish are hitting jigs tipped with minnows. Look for more walleyes from Lake of the Woods to begin moving toward the mouth of the Rainy River north of Baudette, Minn., as fall approaches.

DEVILS LAKE

Fishing remains good, and anglers continue to boat limits of walleyes daily, reports Devils Lake fishing guide Jason Mitchell. With the approach of fall, fishing techniques will change, Mitchell said. Trolling bottom bouncers and spinners with live bait along weed lines continues to produce fish, Mitchell said, but anglers also are reporting improved success by trolling crankbaits or jigging rock piles, both of which are popular fall techniques.

RED RIVER

“Wow!” describes the low water levels below the dams in both Grand Forks and Drayton, N.D., according to Grand Forks catfish guide Brad Durick. Anglers boating either stretch of river should use extreme caution navigating, Durick said, and there are some issues with bigger boats launching off the North Landing in Grand Forks because the water is so low. There’s plenty of water above the dams. Catfish action is good, Durick said, despite wind that has made anchoring difficult, at times. Look for cats to be holding tight to snags in 1 to 4 feet of water in areas with little current. Cut goldeye is the bait of choice, Durick said, followed by sucker. Typical for this time of year, anglers should give spots at least half an hour because it’s often taking that long to attract fish to the bait, Durick said.

BEMIDJI AREA

Walleyes are scattered from 20 to 35 feet of water and hitting minnows on Lake Bemidji, Cass Lake and Pike Bay. Look for panfish in 10 to 12 feet of water on Grace Lake, Lake Hattie and Clearwater Lake. Muskie anglers are finding active fish in 6 to 10 feet on Cass and Lake Plantagenet, where most of the fish are chasing jerk baits. Goose hunting has been tough, and there doesn’t seem to be as many birds in the area as last year. Bear hunting was good the first week but since has slowed.

LEECH LAKE

The best walleye action is taking place with No. 5 or No. 7 Shad Raps or Glass Shad Raps in 10 to 15 feet of water during the late afternoon and evening hours. Crawlers also are producing walleyes on the wind-driven points and bays in 6 to 8 feet. The humps in Walker Bay are giving up a few walleyes on red-tail minnows in 27 to 30 feet. Perch are schooled up on the flats around Pine Point, Sand Point and around Goose Island in 9 to 12 feet. Muskie action has been excellent on the 2- to 8-foot rocks or remaining weed beds in Portage Bay and Sucker Bay.

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

Walleyes are being found shallow, in 3 to 6 feet of water, where they’re hitting leeches or a jig and minnow in the area from the Duck Pass to High Banks. Look for perch on the west-side points and breaks in 12 to 15 feet of water. Pike are hitting spoons, minnows and crankbaits on the 10- to 12-foot weed lines.

DETROIT LAKES

Muskie action has picked up with topwater baits on Big Detroit and Pelican lakes in 3 to 8 feet of water during low-light periods. Walleyes continue to hit minnows and crawlers in 12 to 25 feet on Big Detroit, Pelican, Big Cormorant Lake and Lake Melissa. Panfish are scattered in 12 to 18 feet on Big Detroit, Floyd Lake, Severson Lake, Little Detroit Lake and Little Cormorant Lake. Bass and northern pike are an easy catch on the weed lines of most lakes. Goose-hunting efforts have tapered off since opening weekend.

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Big Sand Lake is kicking out walleyes in 32 to 34 feet of water on sucker minnows. Look to Fish Hook Lake with crawlers for walleyes in 18 feet. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 9 to 12 feet of water on Long Lake. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits from the shorelines out to 10 feet of water on Fish Hook, while sunfish remain active in 10 feet throughout the Crow Wing chain of lakes. Bear hunters continue to register a few animals — overall the season has been much better than last year — and young waterfowl hunters shot quite a few teal and wood ducks during Saturday’s youth waterfowl hunt.