Above: Olivia Laidlaw from Sartell, MN, caught this beautiful 10-pound, 30.5-inch king salmon with help from her dad Adam Laidlaw on July 7. They were fishing with Captain Darren Peck of Tofte Charters. Her brother Wyatt said he was going to catch the big one next time.
Jon at Buck’s Hardware Hank reports…
Being hot, walleye fishing has slowed quite a bit. I’m getting reports of some success but dawn and dusk seem to be the most successful times. People are generally fishing in the 12- to 15- or 18-foot range. Leeches are the bait of choice while nightcrawlers are definitely picking up. I know I’ve had more success with ’crawlers but others are doing quite well with their leech brethren. Some are still jigging or using live baits trolling slowly. Others have settled in with slip bobbers.
Lakes I’ve heard mentioned this week include Two Island, Pike, Brule, and Hungry Jack. But don’t forget to check out Lichen, Cascade, or Homer Lakes either. Smallmouth bass keep on hittin’ during the day. Devil Track, Poplar, Hungry Jack, and even Gunflint Lake. Most are using ’crawlers and minnows for the bass in 10 to 16 feet of water. Crankbaits and spinners are doing a number on the bass too.
Left: Patrick Riley of Oklahoma City and West Bearskin Lake caught this huge Northern on a Boundary Waters lake on July 9. The big fish was 38 inches long and had a girth of 17 inches.
Lake trout are being caught on Saganaga in 60 to 80 feet suspended in 40 to 60 feet of water. I’m going through a lot of ciscoes right now and so I’m sure they’re jigging as well as slow trolling with spoons. Mayhew was also giving up a couple in 40 to 50 feet suspended at 30 to 40 feet. Ciscoes seemed to be the bait of choice.
The biggest story of the week is Lake Superior, as many people are hitting the lake for salmon and lakers. Depths reported have been 80 to 110 feet for some and also some were in 40 feet trolling in 20 to 25 feet. Lake trout reports are deeper, in the 150- to 200- foot range off the bottom. All this is taking place near Grand Marais from Lutsen to Five Mile Rock.
Tyson at the Beaver House reports…
Walleye fishing action has picked up all over: Devil Track, Crescent, Elbow and Poplar to name a few, using Beaver Flicks.
Northern pike are also biting good all over.
Rainbow trout have been good on Mink, Kimball and Trout lakes on ’crawlers and Beaver Flicks. Smallmouth bass are biting good all over on leeches, flicks, raps and spinners.
Lake trout and salmon are being caught from 20-foot to 120-foot depths. Water surface temperature is in the 64-degree range. Lake trout casting off the river mouths and off the lighthouse with Little Cleos, Castmasters, Crocodiles and Rooster Tails.
Whitefish are still hitting mayflies on Devil Track in the evening, so get out and give it a try.
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