Where are the fish biting?

According to our area fishing gurus, Tyson at the Beaver House and Jon at Buck’s Hardware, fishing is what it has always been—spotty! Ever changing weather affects the fish just as it does the fisherman, so fishing has been up and down this last week.

 

Tyson said walleye fishing has been especially spotty, however he heard they are biting well in Lake Saganaga. Jon recommends Saganaga as well and has heard good reports from Seagull. He said to try minnows on a lindy rig with a slow drift over the flats. Jon said once you find the walleyes, try switching to a jig and minnow. Jon has also heard good walleye reports on Two Island, Twin, and Elbow lakes, but fish deeper than usual.

Both Jon and Tyson say lake trout fishing has picked up. Tyson says to fish on Saganaga in 40 – 60-feet of water using a jig and minnow.

Jon gave the same advice and added that lake trout are also being caught on Greenwood Lake, suspended in the 40-50 foot range, in Trout Lake in the 50 – 60 foot range, and Duncan and Moss lakes, in 50 – 60 feet depths, off the bottom.

Above: Chris Angelo of Grand Marais shows off a nice catch of walleyes and smallmouth bass caught at an “area lake” recently. A little bit of rain didn’t deter Chris and her fishing guide, Vince Ekroot of Little Vince’s Guide Service.

Rainbow trout are being caught in Trestle Pine, Mink, Kimball, Leo, Esther, and Ram lakes. Jon said anglers are using crawlers off the bottom or a slow troll with a Mepps lure or Swedish Pimple at about 18 – 28 feet.

Brook trout action is being reported to Jon at Buck’s in a few lakes in the 15 – 18 foot range. He suggests using crawlers off the bottom or a fly rod in the evening on Carrot, Shoe, and Thrasher lakes.

Fishing is good for smallmouth bass on Two Island, Bearskin, and Hungry Jack lakes according to Tyson and Jon added that smallmouth action is going strong at Hungry Jack, Devil Track, and Saganaga. Tyson also said stream fishing is picking up, especially at Temperance and Cascade rivers. The pink salmon are running.

Good luck everyone!

Left: Greg Gavel of Lindstrom, MN shows off the 20-inch smallmouth bass he caught in a Cook County lake recently.