On the south end… Lots of limits of nice walleyes this week with plenty of larger slot fish (19.5″ – 28″) and trophy walleyes (over 28″). Schools of fish all around the lake. From the Lighthouse and Morris Point Gap area which is adjacent to Pine Island to Zippel Bay to reefs and mud near Long Point and Rocky Point all producing. Garden Island area also holds nice schools of walleyes. The go to presentation is pulling spinners with crawlers or leeches at 1.0 – 1.3 mph. Some anglers are doing well trolling crankbaits as well on lead core line or downriggers. Nice schools of walleyes also staged over deep mud. Some fish are shallow, 7- 15′, other fish holding in 23 – 31′. Hammered gold, gold/glow, pink, and orange hot colors this week.
On the Rainy River… Sturgeon anglers catching some good fish as the season opened on July 1st. Fishing holes in the river with a 3 ounce no roll sinker and sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers and/or frozen shiners. Nice smallies in rocky areas. Pike are also active cruising weedy bays, bay mouths and current breaks. Walleyes hanging out on flats and can be caught with crawler harnesses or trolling crankbaits.
Up at the NW Angle… Until the US / Canada border opens, guests can travel across the lake staying and fishing in MN waters. There are shuttle services available and fishing for multi species has been excellent. Check with your favorite NW Angle resort for options.
Excellent fishing for walleyes, pike and bass continue. Schools of walleyes on structure, over sand and on mud. Nice walleyes 8 – 17′ on the sand or 25 – 28′ around structure. The best presentation is drifting and trolling spinners with crawlers or a minnow. Pike and smallmouth bass active in weedy bays. Bucktails for pike retrieved slow working well.
Last modified: 07/09/2020
