Minnesota Fishing Report - November
Provided by West Central Tribune
By Outdoor News
The Associated Press - Wednesday, November 07, 2007
West Central Tribune
The walleye bite isn't as consistent as it was. Start looking to those spots that produce at first ice, mainly during the last hour of daylight. Lakes such as Miltona, Ida, and Le Homme Dieu offer an occasional flurry of walleye activity.
ANNANDALE AREA
Fishing pressure has dropped, but Clearwater Lake is producing a few walleyes via minnows in 12 to 22 feet.
BATTLE LAKE
Walleyes are hitting fatheads or sucker minnows on Otter Tail Lake in 10 to 12 feet or 40 to 50 feet. Trolling has produced muskies on the weedlines of West Battle Lake.
BEMIDJI AREA
Walleye reports have been nonexistent, but Lake Plantagenet continues to produce several big muskies each week.
BLACKDUCK AREA
There haven't been any fishing reports this week, but walleyes remain an option in 10 to 12 feet at Blackduck Lake and Island Lake.
BRAINERD-NISSWA AREA
Jigs tipped with rainbows or shiner minnows are producing walleyes in 16 to 28 feet. Gull Lake is the best option with North Long Lake and Pelican Lake kicking out fish as well. Crappies are being found suspended over deep water on many lakes. Jigs tipped with rosy red minnows are the way to go.
CHISAGO AREA
The Dinner Bell area of South Lindstrom Lake is producing walleyes in 10 feet. Look to current areas on most lakes to be holding walleyes as well.
DETROIT LAKES
A few anglers continue to find walleyes in 10 to 20 feet with minnows. Lakes such as Big Detroit, Island, and Melissa are safe options.
DULUTH AREA
The only fishing to report is taking place at Fish Lake where walleyes and crappies are hitting minnows in 10 to 14 feet.
EAST-CENTRAL
Elk Lake and Blue Lake are producing a few walleyes and quite a few panfish in 12 feet.
ELY AREA
Lakes such as Shagawa, White Iron, and Burntside continue to produce limits of walleyes, although angling pressure has dropped off.
HACKENSACK AREA
A few walleyes continue to be pulled from Woman Lake in 18 to 20 feet of water.
LAKE KABETOGAMA
Walleye action is still favorable with a jig and minnow in 35 feet of water, but few people have been on the water fishing.
LAKE MILLE LACS
Crankbaits continue to produce walleyes on the rocks during the evening in seven to 14 feet. Perch are worth fishing in the bays during midday hours. The weeds have gone down in the bays, making muskies a target in these locations.
LAKE MINNETONKA
A few walleyes are being caught on minnows in the bigger bays. Work 24 to 30 feet during the day, but slide up shallower during the evening hours.
LAKE OF THE WOODS
The Clementson, Birchdale, and Frontier areas of the Rainy River continue to produce walleyes. On the main lake, Morris Point and Lighthouse Gap have been productive with a jig and minnow.
LAKE VERMILION
A jig and minnow is triggering walleyes in 26 to 38 feet of water. The muskie bite finally kicked in with several fish over 50 inches caught this week. Trolling in 16 to 22 feet of water has produced the most fish. Whitefish netters are experiencing good results, which also could explain the increased muskie activity.
LEECH LAKE AREA
A few anglers are finding walleyes with jigs and minnows off the points in eight to 10 feet.
MANKATO AREA
A few walleyes continue to be taken on minnows at Lake Hanska, Madison Lake, and the Minnesota River.
RAINY LAKE
The mouth of the Little Fork River is producing walleyes at a decent pace. Look to the Reiner area and Sand Bay for walleyes in 18 to 24 feet.
RED WING AREA
Limits of 18- to 23-inch saugers are being caught in eight to 15 feet on the Mississippi River. The best spot has been below the dam with a jig and minnow. Crankbaits continue to produce walleyes in the Head of the Lakes area over 15 feet of water.
ST. CLOUD-EDEN VALLEY AREA
There haven't been many people fishing and those who have gone out aren't finding much of a bite.
SAUK CENTRE AREA
Based on participation numbers, it appears the open-water fishing season has ended.
STARBUCK AREA
Walleyes and perch continue to be pulled off the points of Lake Minnewaska. High School Bar also has given up fish in 12 to 15 feet of water and minnows are the way to go.
TWIN CITIES
NORTHEAST METRO - The Afton area of the St. Croix River is producing walleyes and sauger in 15 to 25 feet. An occasional walleye report comes from backwater areas of the Mississippi River as well.
WEST METRO - Walleyes are hitting minnows on the shallow shorelines and reef tops of Lake Waconia. Crankbaits are a safe bet for bass on lakes such as Steiger and Minnewashta.
WILLMAR AREA
You can still catch a few walleyes off Green Lake, Diamond Lake, Eagle Lake, Big Kandi Lake, and Norway Lake in 10 to 20 feet of water. Minnows remain the best option for the few anglers who continue to go out.