September 8th, 2026
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - With water temps still getting into the 70’s, crawlers continue to be the bait of choice for walleye anglers this last week. Spinner rigs tipped with crawlers and fished around sunken islands in that 15-30ft range continue to be the most popular approach. Trolling out in the basins, also in that 15-30ft of water range also has remained very effective this last week. Perch, orange and gold continue to be hot colors
Smallmouth Bass - Smallmouth bass fishing continues to go strong this last week and smallies are really starting to put the feed bag on, trying to fatten up for winter. Soft plastics, in particular crawfish color, have been red hot for bass anglers. Drop shooting and Ned rigging continue to be a very popular choice for those anglers fishing with forward facing sonar. Paddle tails, square bill crankbaits, in line spinners and spinnerbaits are all also catching their fair share of smallies. Sunken islands are quickly becoming the best place to find the biggest numbers and size of smallies. Sunken islands that top out in that 10-20ft of water are typically the best ones.
Panfish - Crappie anglers enjoyed another good week targeting crappies. Crappies continue to be found in and around weedbeds this last week, but as weedbeds start to brown up, crappies will be spending less time in the weedbeds during the day. That last hour of daylight continues to be the best time to target crappies. Anglers continue to have good luck throwing beetle spins and jig/twisters during the evenings.
Pike - Anglers are starting to see big pike starting to show up in shallow water pike spots again. As water temperatures continue to cool off, the pike fishing should really start picking back up. Big creek chubs or suckers, if you can find them, fished under a bobber have been very effective and will only going to get better. Anglers looking to throw lures have been having good luck with large spoons and swimbaits around weedlines or river mouths that have deep water close by.
Stream Trout - Stream Trout anglers also continue to catch good numbers and sized stream trout this last week. Shore anglers continue to catch quality rainbows this last week while floating a night crawler under a bobber about 5-15ft down, particularly during those evening hours and after dark. Boat anglers continue to troll with leadcore and small, brightly colored crankbaits about 20ft down, over 30-80ft of water.
Young angler Alex holds up a rare tiger muskie caught on White Iron Lake near Ely MN. The fish has the classic markings of a tiger muskie and was taken on a beautiful day on the lake. These fish are uncommon in the area and always exciting when they show up. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for bait, tackle, and everything you need for your next trip near the BWCA.