Great Eight

Fish illustration

Lake Mille Lacs

Troll crankbaits on the 12- to 15-foot rock reefs and rock points late in the day and after dark for walleyes - this bite will only get better as water temperatures continue to drop. There has been some walleyes caught on the mud and gravel during daytime hours with crawlers and Jiggin’ Raps in 22 to 25 feet. Minnows and plastics continue to turn smallmouth bass on the 10- to 15-foot rocks throughout the day and muskies should start to show up on the shallow rock reefs in bigger numbers as they look to feed on soon-to-be spawning tullibees.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811 www.johnsonsportside.com

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430 www.terrysboatharbor.com

Lake Of The Woods

Reports from the main lake are very similar to last week: schools of walleyes are staging across the south shore, moving shallower, and water temperature early this week was around 50 degrees. Anchor or spot-lock and utilize a vertically-presented jig and minnow in 21 to 28 feet. Shiner minnows continue to migrate into the Rainy River, but still not in huge numbers. Walleye action is expected to get good really fast as water temperatures continue to cool and more shiners push into the river. Deep holes are still producing sturgeon on the river as well. Walleyes, jumbo perch, crappies, pike, and muskies all are being caught in good numbers around submerged structure and the islands throughout the Northwest Angle.

Lake Of The Woods Tourism Bureau, (800) 382-Fish www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Lake Minnetonka

Large sucker minnows are producing a few muskies on the east side in 10 to 15 feet. Bass and pike remain weed-related in 8 to 12 feet throughout the lake, while crappies are now being found suspended over deep water or clinging to any remaining green weeds in the bigger bays.

Set The Hook Guide Service (952) 454-3266

Lake Vermilion

Minnows are turning walleyes on or around the reefs in 12 to 15 feet or 30 to 35 feet, depending on time of day. Crappies are bunched up and suspended over 15 feet or so around the islands such as Raspberry and Pine. Muskies are being taken by trolling crankbaits at night or you’ll find suspended fish on top of the reefs as they look to start chasing tullibees.

Fishing With Z Guide Service (218) 404-9200

Lake Winnibigoshish

Walleye action has picked up slightly, but the bite still isn’t an all-day, every-day thing. Most anglers attribute this to the abundance of forage in the lake - most walleyes caught typically look like they’ve gorged themselves. Shallow points and shoreline breaks remain the best option with a jig and shiner minnow, but a jig and piece of nightcrawler continues to turn walleyes as well. Most fish are being taken in 8 to 12 feet, but with some clouds or wind, you’ll find walleyes as shallow as 6 feet and tighter to shore.

Lake Winnie Resort Association www.lakewinnie.net

Leech Lake

A jig and minnow is producing walleyes along the shorelines, sand flats, and rock points in 7 to 12 feet. Muskie action has picked up with rubber baits or large sucker minnows on the rock piles and rock points in 6 to 15 feet. The north end of Walker Bay, Narrows, and sand grass areas are still producing perch in 5 to 8 feet.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

Elite Angling Adventures (651) 315-9252

Rainy Lake

Walleyes remain active, hitting minnows or glide baits on the 30- to 35-foot reefs. Pike are hitting jigs and plastics on the main lake humps in 20 to 25 feet, while bigger pods of crappies are suspended over the mud in 25 feet or more.

Rainydaze Guide Service (218) 290-6102

Red Lake

There just hasn’t been enough anglers on the lake to gather much for reports. The best option for walleyes would be to work the shorelines with minnows in 6 to 9 feet, as it has been over the past few weeks.

West Wind Resort (218) 647-8998