On the south end…  Great fall walleye fishing again this week.  As the traditional deer hunting opener approaches, walleye fishing is typically in high gear.  This pattern is holding true.  Various spots along the south shore are producing nicely.  The walleyes and sauger are active.  These fish are also setting up nicely for ice fishing which is just around the corner with water temps in the upper 40’s.

Anchored up and jigging with a fathead or emerald shiner is the go to method.  Live shiners are available and effective.  Some anglers are still pulling spinners with a minnow or trolling crankbaits with good success.  Gold, pink, white and chartreuse hot colors this week.

The best reports are coming from 17-27 feet of water across the south shore in areas such as Pine Island, Morris Point, Zippel Bay, Graceton Beach, Long Point and Rocky Point.  Various schools within these depths.

In addition to walleyes and saugers, pike, jumbo perch, sturgeon and even a few crappies are in the mix for walleye anglers.

On the Rainy River…   Nice pockets of walleyes being caught in the river.  Jigging with a frozen or live shiner, is the go to method.  Emerald shiners are tough to beat.

Some groups are trolling crankbaits in the river and because of their consistency, they never switch.  Also great in locating walleyes or when fish are scattered.

Sturgeon activity with cooler water is good with numerous fish caught and released.

Up at the NW Angle…  Fall fishing up at the Angle continues strong.  Most anglers are using a jig and minnow or jig and plastic (when boating into Canada) for walleyes.  In some areas, walleyes continue to be stacked and big numbers of fish are being caught.

Gold, pink and/or glow colored jigs and spinners are doing well.  Reminder, no live, frozen or dead bait being able to be transported over the border from the U.S. into Canada, consequently anglers boating into Ontario waters reporting various plastics on their jigs and spinners working great.

Various areas of structure such as points, reefs and sandy areas in neck down areas continue to hold good fish.  12 – 26 feet is the range depending upon the spot.

Big crappies are being caught on jigs and minnows in 24-30′ adjacent to structure.

Muskie action continues to be strong.  Jigging large baits has boated good numbers of fish as well as casting and trolling.

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.

Want to avoid crossing the border?  Charter transport via water and ice and flights over the lake are available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air both this fall and into the winter months via ice.

On the south end…  The jig bite has begun and walleyes and saugers are cooperating very nicely.  The walleyes continue to transition to fall locations including in 25-30′ in front of Pine Island and west along the south shore have been hot.

A nice mix of walleyes and saugers with perch and pike mixed in.  Lots of good eaters along with some sorting of smaller fish.  Most anglers anchored up and jigging with a fathead or emerald shiner.  Strong jig colors, gold, orange, glow white, pink or a combo.

Some anglers trolling crankbaits with success.  This is a good method if the jigging bite isn’t happening or if water goes flat.

The month of October is an excellent time to fish walleyes.  If you like the jig bite, anchor up and jig over the side of the boat for a very enjoyable and typically memorable day.  Charters and guides are available with area resorts.

Pike continue to be active with the cooling water temps.

On the Rainy River…   Emerald shiners continue to run in the Rainy River and overall the walleye fishing has been good.

Most walleye anglers on the river are anchoring up along a current seam or on the edge of a hole with a jig and minnow.  Try different areas.  There are 42 miles of navigable river and lots of boat ramps.  In some cases, it is helpful to find your own spots and get away from other boats.

Sturgeon activity has picked up as well with good fall reports.  A gob of crawlers and/or frozen shiners on a sturgeon rig (18 inch leader made of 60lb test with a 2-3 ounce no roll sinker) is the ticket.  The keep season ends September 30, 2021.  The catch and release season continues through April 23, 2022.

Up at the NW Angle…

Excellent fishing this week.  In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues producing walleyes in 24 – 31 feet.  Spinners with crawlers or minnows still producing.

Areas with structure and sandy areas in neck down areas continue to hold fish.  14 – 19 feet are good starting points.  Jig and a minnow is the goto on structure and neck down areas.

Big crappies being caught on jigs and minnows in 25-32′ around structure.

Muskie anglers report good fish being boated trolling and casting shiny crankbaits.

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.  Please note, no live, frozen or dead bait allowed into Canada from the U.S.  The various plastics on a jig are working well.  Contact a NW Angle resort for details.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

On the south end…  Great walleye action this week with numerous pike mixed in.  Walleyes are starting to gravitate to fall patterns.  Walleyes being caught in various depths 13 – 34 feet of water.  Most anglers are still drifting with spinners or trolling crankbaits, but the jig bite is picking up steam.

Water temps in the upper 50’s and low 60’s.  Walleyes setting up across the south shore and with more shiners running, this trend will continue.

Reef fishing is starting to pick up.  Jigging with a frozen shiner on or near reefs is a fall goto and things are just starting.

September and October are excellent months to fish walleyes.  If you like the jig bite, anchored up with a jig and minnow, this is a fun time of year.

On the Rainy River…   Emerald shiners are continuing to run in the Rainy River.  Some good runs so far and walleyes are showing up.  Anglers are catching fish in the river.  Fall is here.

Most walleye anglers on the river will anchor up along an edge or in a hole with a jig and minnow.  Fishing is taking place from Wheeler’s Point to Baudette to Birchdale.

Fall is a great time to fish sturgeon, bass and pike on the river, although the vast majority of anglers are after walleyes.

Up at the NW Angle…

Excellent fishing continues on both sides of the border.  In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues producing walleyes in 24 – 31 feet.  Gold, white and orange spinners with a crawler or a minnow is effective.  Minnows on some days are starting to be preferred by the walleyes.  Try both.

Areas with structure continue to hold fish.  18 – 27 feet are good starting points.  Jig and a minnow is the goto.

Pike and muskie anglers are locating fish on weedy points using double blade spinners and topwater.  Some nice fish boated this week.

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Boating into Canadian waters is now open.  Please note, no live, frozen or dead bait allowed into Canada from the U.S.  The various plastics on a jig are working well.  Contact a NW Angle resort for details.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

There are already a good number of walleyes across the south shore and with more shiners running, this trend will continue.

Reef fishing will get better as the water cools. Depending upon the day, fish might be staged on top, on the sides or adjacent to the reef in the mud.

September and October are excellent months to fish walleyes.

On the Rainy River… More and more emerald shiners are showing up in the Rainy River. Some good runs so far. Mother Nature makes the call on when and how things happen. The geese are flying, water cooling and more anglers catching walleyes in the river. It’s not a slamfest yet, but the numbers of walleyes are definitely increasing. Fall is here.

Most walleye anglers on the river will anchor up along an edge or in a hole with a jig and minnow. Walleyes are still hitting crankbaits and spinners and these can be effective in locating fish.

Fall is a great time to fish sturgeon, bass and pike on the river, although the vast majority of anglers are after walleyes.

Up at the NW Angle… Great fishing continues on both sides of the border. In U.S. waters, deep mud of Little Traverse Bay continues producing walleyes in 24 – 31 feet. Gold, white and orange spinners with a crawler or a minnow is effective. Minnows on some days are starting to be preferred by the walleyes. Try both.

Areas with structure typically holds some fish. 18 – 27 feet are good starting points. Don’t be afraid to try numerous “goto” spots until you find fish.

Pike and muskie anglers are locating fish on weedy points using jerkbaits and topwater. This action typically increases as waters cool.

Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open. Boating into Canadian waters is now open. Please note, no live, frozen or dead bait allowed into Canada from the U.S. The various plastics on a jig are working well. Contact a NW Angle resort for details.

Charter boat transport and float planes are still available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

email received 9.10.21 via dmrservice@hotmail.com