Outdoors Weekly Fish Tales Archive

November 2 , 2007

ANNANDALE - B.J.'s Bait & Tackle, Bill, west side of Clearwater Lake, between the two public accesses, www.bjsbait.com (320-274-3730) The shop will be closed until the ice season starts. Have a great fall.

ANOKA - Action's Fishing, Jack, 809 West Hwy 10, www.actionsfishing.com (763-422-4890) Those who took advantage of the nice weather this past week had mixed results. The river are high and fast, but the fishing has been fair to good. They are catching lots of crappies below the Coon Rapids Dam. Walleyes are hitting chartreuse jigs and minnows on the Mississippi. Our bait shop will be closed on Sundays and Mondays in November. Call ahead for fishing reports.

BATTLE LAKE - Ben's Bait & Tackle, Josie, Junction of Hwy 78 and 210 (218-864-5596) The walleyes are hitting on Ottertail still in 8 to 10 feet of water while trolling raps in the evenings. During the day, some luck can be had in the deeper water on a jig and a minnow. Try out in 40 to 50 feet of water. Some muskies are being caught on Battle along with a few walleyes on golden shiners. There is a good sunfish bite on East Lost.

BEMIDJI - Bluewater Bait & Sports, Mark Cook, 1 mile north of the Hwy 2 & 71 Intersection, www.bluewater-bait.com (218-444-2248) Call the shop for the latest fishing hotspots. It should be a great deer opener. Be safe!

BLACKDUCK - Timberline Sport & Tackle, Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd. (218-835-4636) Most guys are getting ready for deer hunting. A few have been out for ducks and grouse numbers haven’t been as good. The deer have been moving around a lot.

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA - S&W Bait and Tackle - Home of Walleye Dans Guide Service, County Road 77 just west of Highway 371 www.sandwbait.com & www.walleyedan.com (218-829-7010) The rut will be cranking up and hopefully I will get a chance to bow hunt before the orange blazers hit the woods. I plan on fishing this week, it should be good with the next front approaching. If you want to catch some walleyes, look at fishing during the late afternoon/evening hours. You can catch them during the day, but they will be pretty deep.

CHISAGO CITY - Frankie's Live Bait and Marine, Brad, Corner of Hwy 8 and CR 77, www.frankies.net (651-257-6334) Walleyes are biting; the channel between Big and Little Green and the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom have been great. And the bar on South Lindstrom and fishing off the shore at the Diner Bell. On the north end of North Center they have been getting some good crappies.

CROSBY - Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle, Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912) Walleye fishermen have been very pleased with the amount of action on Pelican, Rabbit and Gull. Jigs and redtails continue to be the best. Very few other reports as far as fishing goes. More ducks and geese have moved into the area with the cold temps, with mallards, ringnecks and bills making up the majority of birds. Lots of honkers in the area, as well as quite a few cacklers being seen. We have had a few real good reports this past week from our grouse hunters that are getting off of the trails and doing some walking. Areas north of the shop seem to be better than the areas south. Bow hunters have had lots of activity this past week, with bucks moving and leaving more sign in the woods. HAVE A SAFE AND FUN HUNT THIS WEEKEND!

CROSSLAKE - Holiday of Cross Lake, 35610 Cty. Rd. 66 Crosslake, Lee (218-692-2708) Held’s Guide Service (218-820-0989) Fishing on the Whitefish Chain is slowly starting to pick back up again. Walleyes are biting on red tails in 40-50 feet of water off steep drop offs. Crappie action is good, and are biting in their winter hiding spots. Catching bigger northerns on big sucker minnows off of deep weed lines. If you're looking for bass, try live bait rigging in 12-20 feet of water. Hope you have a great day on the water!

DULUTH - Fisherman's Corner, Scott, 7 miles north of Miller Mall on Hwy 53, www.fishycorner.com (218-729-5369) The hottest action has been on Island Lake, in 18 to 22 feet of water for walleyes on a jig and a minnow. Boulder has had some good fishing too in 8 to 10 feet of water; guys have been getting both crappies and walleyes. And up by the dam on the St. Louis River, guys have been getting some nice fish and out on Lake Superior in front of the rivers guys have been picking up a few steelhead and some loopers. Good luck on the deer opener this weekend.

DULUTH - Marine General, 1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior, www.marinegeneral.com (218-724-8833) Trolling for loopers off the mouths of the French and Lester Rivers has produced a few fish. Boulder and Fish Lakes have been good for crappies and walleyes. And a lot of guys have been heading up to the Rainy River for the fall walleye bite.

ELY-Babe's Bait and Tackle, 451 W. Sheridan St., Ely, MN, first business on the left as you are entering town of Ely from the west on Hwy 169 (218-365-6930) The rains have subsided and the cold clear skies have taken their place, but it has not changed the walleye bite on area lakes. Anglers are continuing to reap the rewards of the fall bite. Minnow tipped jigs and spinners are still the best bet. Good numbers of "eyes" are being taken on the deeper drop offs, with some jumbo perch and crappie mixed in. With the weather changing over to sunny skies more grouse hunters are filling their game bags. Deer gun season is just days away, so it's time to start getting your gear together. Deer are appearing everywhere at this time of year, so be extra cautious when driving early and late in the day. Stop in at Babes for fishing and hunting updates.

FOREST LAKE - Mikes Bait on 8, Rich, 1/2 mile east of 35 on Hwy 8 (651-464-5150) A few walleyew biting on Forest and Comfort Lakes. Panfish suspended 20-30 feet water in about 15 to 20 feet. Little Lake has been putting out the big sunnies.

GREY EAGLE - Nancy's Bait & Tackle, Rex, 4 miles east of the Rock Tavern on Big Birch Lake, 4 miles west of Upsala (320-285-2405) Sunny days are seeing the sunfish biting on Hunters Bay. And the walleyes are biting on Big and Little Birch and on Lake Alexander. On Birch they are jigging 3/8 ounce jigs tipped with redtails. The muskies are biting good on Buckhorn, Alexander and Shamineau with both live and artificial baits. And the walleyes continue to bite on McCormick Lake. Guys are getting limits of 12 to 14 inch walleyes in less then an hour just bobber fishing with a fathead. We still have a great supply of red tails and shiners and a full line of black powder products for all your needs.

HACKENSACK - Swanson's Bait & Tackle, Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack, www.swansonsbait.com (218-675-6176) The weather has straightened out... finally. The lake levels are still a little on the low side but a definite improvement from what they were over the summer. A good, snowy winter will bring the water levels back to where they belong. The water temp on most area lakes is in the low 50's. Overnight lows are down around 25 degrees so the water is continuing to cool very quickly. Walleyes are still very active. Not much has changed in the report; Leech Lake and Woman Lake are the places to go. Walleyes are biting on a jig and minnow, mostly Redtails and Rainbows. They are in shallow water, anywhere from 5-12 feet. Perch are still going strong on those lakes as well. A fathead and a smaller jig in 7 feet of water. Sucker Bay and Oak Point have had the best reports. With the countdown to gun season under a week the gears are changing from fishing and small game hunting to deer very rapidly. The deer have been moving a lot in the past week and there seems to be plenty of them around. The weather forecast looks good for the opener. It should be another good harvest. Hope to see you in the woods or on the water.

KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN - Gateway Store, Phil Hart, US Hwy 53 & Co Rd 122, 30 miles south of Int'l Falls-Canadian border, kabfishingreport.com (218-875-2121) Cooler weather dominated the area, however angling remained very strong for walleye and sauger. Water temperatures still unusually warm for the time of year, 48-50 degrees this past week. Anglers reporting success in the mid Kab to East Kab deeper waters. One day 32-35' may be best, the next day it may be 40-45'. Jig and minnow your best all around presentation for walleyes, sucker minnow for Northern Pike. Sauger action remains strong with the walleyes, if you can handle the elements, fishing has been great! The recent cold nights will be dropping the water temperatures which may spur the crappie action. Grouse, still tough to find birds, you must make every opportunity count. Deer population hanging along roadways so be careful and alert in your travels.

LAKE OF THE WOODS - Area Tourism Bureau, Denelle Hovde , near Junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette, www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com (1-800-382-FISH) Fishing continues to be strong on the Rainy River, 12-14 feet of water has been producing great 16 -18 inch walleye. Limits are being caught all the way from the Lighthouse Gap to Birchdale. Anchored and jigging continues to be the way to go, the current has slowed so a 3/8 ounce jig is sufficient. Lucky colors include: orange and white, pink, gold, and green. The water temperature is currently at 44 degrees and the water levels have been going down. There's been less debris coming down the river now, so the water clarity is also improving. Now's the time to head to Lake of the Woods and experience the fall walleye run before it's over. Have a fishing story from Lake of the Woods? We'd love to hear it, email us your story and/or pictures of your catch to lakwoods@wiktel.com. Firearm deer season begins next weekend so be sure to grab your gun along with your rod and reel.

LEECH LAKE - Anderson's Resorts, Tim, www.andersonsleech-lake.com (1-800-516-0077) I hope you haven't put the boat away just yet!! The fishing is hot right now Pelican Island with shiners (the bigger the better) have been the ticket, if you want one for the wall this is the time. Goose Island and hardwoods have been really good as well. Perch have moved into the shallow bays now too. Miller and Boy Bays have been great. Muskies have been putting on the feed bags as well at Two Points with bucktails in black/white. Ducks are here also and some people have had great luck with grouse. So if you’re up for a good time come fish Leech Lake before ice up you won’t be disappointed.

METRO AREA EAST - Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle, Oakdale, Josh, www.blueribbonbait.com (651-777-2421) The St. Croix has been the hottest bite, smallies and walleyes by Hudson are still biting. The rivers have been the place to be.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Chris Kuduk’s Guide Service (320-630-1761) A lot of guys have been out muskie fishing with mixed results. If you put the time in, you’ll get a few fish. The perch bite has been going good along the shoreline in the bays. On Anne Lake, some are getting some nice crappies and a few walleyes. Look for Chris at upcoming seminars at Gander Mountain.

MILLE LACS LAKE - Malmo Market, Lynwood Elliott, State Hwy 47 and 18 East, NE corner of Mille Lacs (320-684-2295)

MILLE LACS LAKE – Johnson's Portside, Kelly or Steve, 1 mile north of Isle on Hwy 47 SE side of the lake, www.johnsonsportside.com (320-676-3811) Well the reports of the harvest moon are coming in slow, it seems the best bite was thurs and Friday night with not much for action on Saturday night, most anglers pulling crankbaits in shallow areas 6-9 feet. Perching in the bays has slowed a bit but still a good day time bite. Check the web at www.johnsonsportside.com Have a great Halloween and Beware of the Bone Fish.

LAKE MINNETONKA - Wayzata Bait & Tackle, Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227) The muskies are biting on city lakes and on Tonka with large suckers. The walleyes are also biting on Tonka in 24 to 30 feet of water running minnows. There has been some northern activity in the channels using suckers. The crappies are in about 15 feet of water, down around 8 feet, in the channel areas. They are biting on a darker color jig and a minnow. There have also been a few reports of walleyes biting on Medicine in about 28 feet of water.

NISSWA - Dave's Sportland Bait & Tackle, Jason, 2 miles south of Nisswa at the Intersection of Hwy 371 and Cty Rd 77, next to Schaefer's Foods, www.sportlandbait.com (218-963-2401)

LAKE OSAKIS – Buck Point Resort on the N.W. corner of the lake, Brad, 115 miles west of Twin Cities on I-94W, take Hwy 3 North out of Osakis to Hwy 10 West, www.lakeosakisresorts.com (320-859-2530) The walleye bite is best on Miltona and Osakis.

PELICAN RAPIDS - Park Region Sport Shop, Lee Brenna, Intersection of Interstate 59 and 108 in downtown Pelican Rapids (218-863-5701) Shore fishing for walleyes has been hot, hot, hot. Call Lee for some tips on some great spots. The muskie bite has been going good. Guys have been having success out on Beers, Pelican and Detroit Lakes with big, live bait. Trolling suckers on a live harness has worked well. And the large mouth bass fishing has been great along the bulrush line. All in all the reports are great for fishing in the area right now. And the goose population is still high in the area.

RAINY LAKE - Rainy Lake Tourism, www.rainylake.org (1-800-FALLS-MN) The weather has been holding out pretty well for late fall fishing. Walleye are being caught in 18 to 25 feet of water in Sand Bay and Black Bay. Ranier Rapids and just below the dam at International Falls are good spots on Rainy River right now. Anglers are also doing well at the mouth of the Littlefork River. Waterfowl and grouse hunters haven’t been doing well. The firearms deer season opens this coming weekend in Minnesota and the Department of Natural Resources says the northern deer herd is healthy with relatively high populations. Even if you’re not a hunter, keep your eyes open at this time of year. Mating time puts many deer on the move. Accidents involving deer on the highways always increase during the rutting season so be extra cautious.

RED WING - Ike's Bait & Tackle, Ken, 2109 Old W Main St, Red Wing (651- 388-2111) The sauger bite is on at the dam and a few walleyes are starting to hit now too. Bright colored Ike’s hair jigs and a minnow in about 12 to 15 feet of water. 3/8 ounce jigs have been the best. The panfish are still biting around the dock area in Baypoint Park. And some cats are being caught up by the dam too.

SAINT CLOUD - Stop Light Bait, 45 8th Avenue SE, St. Cloud (320-255-9689) Walleyes and crappies are keeping our area anglers busy. Fish have been biting on Clearwater, the Mississippi river, Big Birch and Lake Alexander. The anglers are using fatheads, shiners and redtails for bait. Pheasant hunters have been having good luck hunting. We are a big game registration station and we have our deer hide program running now. When you register a deer or bring in a hide, you get a chance to win a Savage .243 rifle with scope or a Parker compound bow. Good luck hunting!

SAINT PETER - Hermies Bait, Brad, 43539 French Hill Rd. St.Peter MN 56082 (507-931-6875) Guys have been getting a few walleyes on the river. The panfish are biting on Washington in about 10 to 12 feet of water and we’ve had a few turkeys being brought in. that’s about it from Hermie’s. Good luck deer hunting.

SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA - Axel's Tackle Box, Axel, 2 blocks north of Hwy 60 on Hwy 13, next to Casey’s, on Lake Sakatah in Waterville, www.axelstacklebox.com (507-362-4444) Sakatah Lake is starting to produce walleye near the narrows as well as a few near Hwy 13 bridge. Panfish are present on Tetonka almost everywhere at almost any depth, it is looking good for water levels this winter for ice fishing here. Clear lake also has had some results with walleye in the 20-24" size. Crappie minnows, fats, and waxies are the way to go right now it seems for bait choices. Stop in or call for more up to date info on area lakes.

UPPER RED LAKE - White Birch Resort, Monte Sharbono, vacation@whitebirchresort.net (218-835-4552) The wind has been the story still… it’s been hard to get out. Most are getting ready for deer season and the numbers look good in the area.

WACONIA - Mase's In Towne Marine, Cindy, corner of Lake and Elm (952-442-2096) The shop is closed until we get good fishable ice. So check back for ice reports in December. Until then, we wish you the best of luck during the hunting season!

WINNIBIGOSHISH – Walleye Visions, Tom Neustrom, 21622 Airport Rd, Grand Rapids www.mnfishingpros.com (218-327-2312) Many of the anglers have put their boats away for the season and there hasn't been a lot of traffic on Big Winnie. The walleye bite still continues to be decent on Big Cutfoot, and the folks that are getting out seem to be catching plenty. You have to be a little more mobile and keep moving until you find a few active fish, then sit on them. A watermelon or parrot colored Northland Fireball or Gumball Jig are still your best bet in depths of 12-18 foot. There seems to be plenty of Walleyes located on some of the bars on Big Cutfoot, and we can see a real good bite occurring the last hour of the day. Crappies and Bluegill are still providing action on Little Cutfoot, but that is slowing a little as well. The deer herd seems to be better than ever and the best of luck to everyone and be extra careful and courteous in the wood. The grouse hunting has only been fair, and more ducks are starting to show up. The best duck hunting will probably be well into deer season.