July 14th, 2026

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - walleye anglers continue to report good fishing this last week despite hot air temperatures. Many anglers reported finding walleyes in 6-8ft of water range, even during the middle of the day. Some anglers reported finding them right in weedbeds, while other anglers found them over shallow rock piles or rocky points. Little bit of a chop on the water really was the key to finding these shallow water walleyes. More often than not these anglers were throwing jerk baits, jig/half a crawler, slip bobber and leech or paddle tails to catch these shallow walleyes. Many other anglers reported finding walleye out on and around sunken islands in that 15-20ft of water range. These anglers have mainly been slow trolling orange, gold or perch colored spinner rigs, tipped with either a leech or a crawler. Leeches continue to out produce crawlers this last week. 

Smallmouth Bass - Smallmouth bass have largely set up in their summer patterns now. What this means for anglers is that you can pretty much find them everywhere right now. Shallow rocky flats, downed trees, rivers, sunken islands, all are holding bass right now. Anglers have been catching bass on just about everything too. Wacky worms, top water, chatterbaits, square bill crankbaits, paddle tails, spinnerbaits and in-line spinners are all producing good numbers of bass. Depth range remains in that 6-15ft of water. 

Panfish - Panfish anglers continue to enjoy great panfish fishing right now as water temperatures warm up to temperatures they enjoy. Crappie and sunnies are settling in nicely to their summer patterns. Sunfish anglers have been finding the best fishing deep inside pencil reeds and weedbeds this last week, with red worms fished under a bobber. Small beetle spins also produced good numbers of sunnies too. Anglers targeting crappies this last week continue to report the best crappie fishing taking place during the evening hours. Anglers have simply been swimming small paddle tails, jig/twister, beetle spins and even small crankbaits, about 1-2ft below the surface, in 6-12ft of water. 

Pike - Interest in pike has really slowed this last week as the average size of pike continues to drop. Small pike continued to be active hitting large spoons and swim baits. Weed lines in that 8-15ft were very productive as were river mouths. 

Stream Trout - Anglers continue to enjoy easy fishing for active rainbows this last week. Although water temperatures increased, thus pushing stream trout down deep, anglers continued catching trout. Majority of trout caught have been in that 15-40ft of water range now. Cowbells trolled with a small spoon or brightly colored crankbait, continue to produce trout. 

Young family is out fishing of anglers in the BWCA landed a nice northern pike. Looks safe to say they are hooked on fishing in the the BWCA! Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh bait before your next trip into the BWCA.