September 29th, 2026
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye anglers continue to enjoy some great fishing this last week as that fall minnow bite continues to improve with falling water temperatures. Minnows in that 3-6” range, tipped on a jig or fished on a lindy rig in depths ranging from 15-25ft of water, continues to be the way to go. Anglers continue to focus on top or around the edge of sunken islands that topped out in that depth range. Other anglers found their walleyes in stands of green cabbage or river mouths in that 6-12ft of water. Anglers fishing here have been doing really good casting crankbaits, deeper diving jerk baits and pitching minnow along those weedlines and river mouths. Orange, perch and purple continue to be hot colors this last week.
Smallmouth Bass - Walleye anglers continue to complain about the smallies taking over many of the sunken islands they have been fishing for walleyes. When the smallies are really active they will be found right on top of the sunken islands in that 8-15ft of water. Anglers have been catching them with deep diving crankbaits, drop shotting minnow style baits or lindy rigging big minnows.
Pike - Pike anglers have been bringing in pictures of some really big pike, this last week. Anglers have been finding them around river mouths, green weeds and large main lake points in that 6-15ft of water. Anglers have been catching them with large suckers under a bobber, large paddle tails and large crankbaits.
Stream Trout - Stream Trout fishing continues to be very productive for stream trout anglers. Just like the last couple of weeks, anglers fishing from a boat continue to troll with small crankbaits with leadcore about 10-20ft down, while fishing over 30-80ft of water. Shore anglers continue to find really good success floating a nightcrawler about 5-10ft down. Anglers targeting Splake from shore have been having success floating a night crawler 2-3ft off the bottom.
Panfish - Shallow water panfish bite continues to slow as anglers are now finding the majority of crappies and sunnies out in 16-25ft of water now. Anglers targeting them have been having good luck with small jig/twister or drop shotting a crappie minnow about 3-5ft off the bottom.
*Reminder, Lake Trout (in lakes) and Stream Trout (in rivers) closes September 30.
Nice fall walleye caught with a large minnow on an Ely area lake near the BWCA. Fall walleye fishing with large minnows has been producing solid fish in the Ely MN area. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh large minnows, jigs, and everything you need to get on the water.