N. Cent MN Fishin Reports

[Lee Borgersen]

          North Central Minnesota Fishing Reports

 
Posted on Aug 31, 2014



LAKE MILLE LACS

East - Drifting sucker minnows on the 10- to 15-foot weedlines in most bays has produced northern pike. Smallmouth bass are hitting tube jigs or crankbaits on the rock piles in the southeast corner of the lake and the weedlines on the north end have been best for muskies. Walleye reports are limited during the day, but the evenings have been productive on the 12- to 18-foot rocks with slip bobbers and leeches.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

West - Walleye action continues to be best on the mud flats during the day and night – it’s a matter of finding where the fish are located on these flats during specific times of the day. Seven Mile, Eight Mile, Seguchie’s, and Sherman’s flats are all good starting points. Work the rock points with crankbaits for smallmouth bass and the weedlines in most bays for northern pike and muskies.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Boats continue to head north to Garden Island or Crow Duck for walleyes with a mix of downrigging or spinner rigs producing fish. Anglers on Archie’s Reef are doing well via downrigging or with spinner rigs in 15 to 20 feet of water. Hammered-gold spinners tipped with nightcrawlers or leeches are turning walleyes outside the Lighthouse Gap with some good reports coming out of Graceton Reef in 22 feet or 6 miles out from Zippel Bay Gap with frozen shiners. Crawlers are producing sturgeon in 20 feet on the Rainy River and smallmouth bass reports have been best on the shorelines heading east towards Birchdale. At the Northwest Angle, Little Oak and Four Blocks are giving up walleyes in 25 to 30 feet of water and the muskie action has been best in the evenings with CowGirls on the weedbeds.

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

LAKE VERMILION

Slip-bobber rigs with a half nightcrawler are producing walleyes on the 8- to 14-foot rock piles. Walleyes also can be had with live-bait rigs and a piece of crawler on the sand and mud flats in 17 to 25 feet. You’ll pick up nice perch and smallmouth bass with the walleyes. Muskie action has been improving on the deep weedlines, especially on those windy and cloudy days.

Pike Bay Lodge (218) 753-2430

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

The 9- to 12-foot weedlines remain the best option for keeping-sized walleyes and pike, while the main-lake bars and humps continue to produce bigger fish. Spinner rigs and crawlers or jigs and minnows have worked best near Sugar Point, the Birdhouses, Tamarack Point, and Raven’s Point. Perch reports are favorable with some fish being caught on the structure in 20 feet, but the 7- to 9-foot weeds off Rich’s Townsite have been the go-to spot this week.

Lake Winnie Resort Association

LEECH LAKE

Crankbaits are providing consistent walleye action during the day on Goose Island Flats and the Snake Pit in 12 to 14 feet. Rigging with crawlers also has worked for walleyes during the day on the rocks such as the Annex or around Submarine Island. At night, slip bobbers and leeches or crankbaits are turning walleyes off Cedar Point in 9 to 12 feet. The main-lake rocks have been hot for muskies and the weedlines in Waboose Bay are kicking out crappies.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

Shriver’s Bait Company (218) 547-2250

RAINY LAKE

Fishing pressure has been light, but the reefs on the east end of the lake are producing walleyes in 20 feet or so on crawlers. The weedbeds and shoreline structure are producing smallmouth bass and a few northern pike are being caught by bass anglers. Bear baiting success has been mixed, although there’s been more poor reports than good, likely due to an abundance of raspberries and bluebberries in the woods.

Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

RED LAKE

Live-bait rigs or crankbaits remain the best options for walleyes along most shorelines in less than 8 feet. Minnows also have started becoming part of the mix for walleyes once again. Anglers continue to hook the occasional large northern pike while walleye fishing as well.

Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128

CROSBY AREA

Sucker minnows or spinnerbaits are producing northern pike on the weeedlines of Lake Mahnomen, while bass are hitting crankbaits or plastics at Serpent Lake, Bay Lake and Cedar Lake. Crappies have bit best during the evenings on the weedlines of Black Hoof Lake and Serpent Lake. Troll crankbaits on the deep weedlines of Rabbit Lake and Nokay Lake for walleyes.

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

EAST CENTRAL MN

Green Lake is giving up sunfish and crappies in 7 to 10 feet and Knife Lake is producing crappies in 12 to 15 feet. Hit the weedlines of Blue Lake and Green with spinners and sucker minnows for northern pike. Walleye and smallmouth bass reports continue to be strong on the Rum River.

Tales and Trails Sport Shop

(763) 856-3985

EMILY AREA

The west side of Lake Washburn is kicking out crappies in 12 to 14 feet. Long-lining crankbaits over deep water has produced walleyes on Roosevelt Lake – these fish are suspended and active after sunset. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows under bobbers on the southeast end of Upper Dean Lake in 12 to 15 feet. On West Fox Lake, topwater baits are producing largemouth on the weedlines. Bear baits are being hit consistently based on most reports.

Redding Sports and Spirits                     (218) 763-2191

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

Eating-sized walleyes are being pulled from the weeds on Bowstring Lake, Sand Lake, Lake Wabana, Lake Pokegama and Trout Lake. Creek chubs are producing big walleyes and northern pike on these lakes in 25 feet or more. Crappie action has improved in 12 to 14 feet on Big and Little Splithand lakes or in 16 feet on Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake and Pokegama. Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing remains consistent on all lakes and rainbow trout continue to be caught at Tioga Pit, Taylor Lake and Moonshine Lake. Bear hunters are offering mixed reports from baits, but berry crops remain strong.

Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

GREY EAGLE AREA

Walleyes can be had with slip bobbers and minnows in 12 to 18 feet at Cedar Lake or with Lindy Rigs and minnows in 22 to 35 feet on Big Birch Lake. The north end of Big Birch is giving up sunfish in 10 to 18 feet as well. Swan Lake and Lady Lake are providing a mixed bag of panfish in 12 to 16 feet, as is St. Mary’s Lake in 20 feet. Bass and northern pike reports remain consistently good along the weedlines of most lakes.

Nancy’s Bait & Tackle (320) 285-2405

HACKENSACK AREA

Crappie and sunfish action is strong on the weedlines of Webb Lake, Pleasant Lake, Woman Lake and Birch Lake. There’s a daytime walleye bite on Woman with minnows or crawlers in 20 to 22 feet and some evening action with crankbaits in 10 to 14 feet on Birch and Little Boy Lake. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are an easy catch on the weedlines and rock piles on most lakes, and look to Baby Lake for an occasional flurry of muskie activity.

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

McGREGOR AREA

Crappies are being found around the floating rafts on Big Sandy Lake and the weedlines here are giving up a few sunfish. Walleyes also can be had with minnows on Big Sandy, but the majority of them have been small. Hit the weedlines of Big Round Lake with sucker minnows for northern pike.

Willey’s Sport Shop & Spirits             (218) 426-3382

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA

Sunfish action remains consistent in 6 to 10 feet on lakes Koronis, Rice, Horseshoe, Cedar Island, Long, Becker and Browns. A few walleyes are being caught with fatheads or crawlers on Koronis in 12 to 20 feet. Smallmouth and largemouth bass reports have been favorable on most lakes, while crappie action is slow.

Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA

Miller’s Bay on Lake Osakis is producing sunfish in 10 feet and the 15-foot breaks in the north end bay continue to produce crappies. You’ll also find crappies on Guerney Lake in 6 to 8 feet and Long Bridge Lake in 8 feet. Look for sunfish at Maple Lake in 12 to 15 feet, Fairy Lake in 12 to 15 feet, and Little Birch Lake in 15 to 18 feet.

Fletcher’s Bait Shop (320) 352-2155

STAPLES/LITTLE FALLS AREA

Work crawlers or minnows below the dams or slack water areas of the Mississippi River for walleyes and smallmouth bass. Sunfish action remains strong in the 8- to 10-foot weeds of Lake Alexander or in 13 to 16 feet on Beauty Lake. Muskie action is improving during the evening hours with bucktails or topwater baits.

Da Fishin’ Hole (320) 631-0056

WARROAD AREA

Walleye action continues to be strong as spinners or jigs tipped with minnows and crawlers are working best on this stretch of Lake of the Woods. Anglers are working the Blinker area, Swift Ditch, and south tip of Buffalo Bay in 18 to 30 feet.

Riverside Bait & Tackle (218) 386-1200