Lake of the Woods
Walleyes are being caught all over the lake, but there seems to be a movement back to the south shore. A gold jig and shiner minnow is working best in 25 to 30 feet of water straight out from the Lighthouse Gap, the Morris Point area, Long Point and Zippel Bay. Shiner minnows have started showing up in the Rainy River, which has jump-started the walleye bite there, as well. The Rainy also is producing numbers of northern pike and sturgeon in 20 to 28 feet of water. At the Northwest Angle, muskies, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies and walleyes are all biting in 20 to 25 feet throughout the day.
Devils Lake
Many outdoors enthusiasts are shifting into hunting mode, but the walleyes on Devils Lake are still biting, according to Grand Forks fishing guide Mark Bry. Walleyes have been in a feeding mode the past week, he said, and seem to be hitting just about anything that is put in front of them. Bottom bouncers and spinners tipped with minnows or crawlers have been working well, along with jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, a third of a crawler or plastics. Best depths have been 4 to 16 feet, with the bigger fish showing up in the shallower water. Most fish are coming from flooded rocks or weeds, Bry said.
Red River
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There's not much to report, with the jump in river levels caused by recent heavy rains, but look for that to change once conditions improve. The Red River Valley Catfish Club is holding a "Fall Classic" catfish tournament Sept. 25, with headquarters at the Whopper John Boat Ramp in Grand Forks. The tournament is open to as many as 40 boats, with at least two people per boat and a maximum of four rods per boat; teams can keep three cats, minimum size 12 inches, with two longer than 24 inches allowed. Registration starts at 5:45 a.m., and weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. Entry fee is $60 per boat. Info: Rob, (218) 791-3762; Dustin, (701) 739-1380; or www.catfishleague.com.
Bemidji area
The only walleyes being caught are coming off Lake Bemidji, where jigs and minnows are producing fish in 15 to 20 feet of water. Muskies have been active on Bemidji, as well, but most have been small. Cass Lake continues to produce jumbo perch in 6 to 8 feet of water -- mainly on minnows. Panfish reports are limited, and goose hunting has been best just north of Bemidji. Hunters continue to register "a bear or two" each day.
Blackduck area
Walleyes can be had on crankbaits or a jig and minnow on Blackduck Lake in 11 to 14 feet. The 8- to 10-foot cabbage areas of Gull Lake and Lake Rabideau are holding panfish. North and South Twin lakes are safe bets for bass with plastics. Bear hunting continues to be very good, with most hunters filling their tags or having the opportunity to do so, and goose numbers remain high, as well.
Leech Lake area
A jig and minnow is producing walleyes on the wind-driven points and shorelines. The Meadows, First Duck Point, Second Duck Point and Pine Point are a few spots worth noting in 4 to 8 feet. Perch action also is strong on the points and in the Narrows. The cabbage in most bays is holding panfish, and the rocks seem to be producing more muskies than the weeds. Bear hunting action has dropped off since opening week.
Lake Winnibigoshish
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It's jig and minnow time on the shoreline breaks, points and weed edges. The wind-driven spots have been most productive. The points and mid-depth rocks are producing the biggest perch at this point. Look for northern pike on the weedlines or mixed in with the walleyes and perch.
Detroit Lakes
A jig and minnow is producing walleyes on the weedlines out to 30 feet on lakes Melissa, Big Detroit, Big Cormorant and Pelican. Waxworms are working best for bluegills in the 12-foot weeds of Big Detroit, Floyd Lake, Height of Land Lake and Tamarack Lake. Bass and pike action remains consistent on all lakes, and muskies are hitting topwater baits and CowGirls on the humps of Big Detroit and Pelican.
Park Rapids area
Walleyes are being taken on Long Lake with minnows and nightcrawlers in 16 to 22 feet of water. The main-lake structure of Potato Lake seems to be producing a bit of everything with minnows a good bet for walleyes, pike and bass. Work the Crow Wing Chain for northern pike, bass and bluegills in 12 to 16 feet, and Lake Belle Taine continues to give up sunfish. Bear registrations are up from last year.
Lake Kabetogama
A jig and minnow or deep-diving crankbait is producing walleyes on the 28- to 30-foot reefs and shoreline breaks. Crappies are being caught in the shallows, but anglers have been tight-lipped with specifics. Work sucker minnows in the bays for northern pike and look for smallmouth bass on the reefs and rock ledges. An occasional bear continues to be brought in, but harvest totals are down from last year.
Ortonville area
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Minnows and crawlers continue to produce perch on Big Stone Lake in 12 feet of water from Rocky Ledge to Sodak. The islands area of Big Stone is producing bluegills in 10 to 12 feet, and a few walleyes can be had along the shorelines here late in the day. Look to the Coral area of the Minnesota River with a jig and minnow for walleyes and the rock piles of Lake Traverse for bluegills. Goose hunting opportunities have been limited.
