Local Fish Report

10/8/10 – There are lots of fish in Cook County lakes, the trick is to know where they are and how to catch them. WTIP wants to help fill out your stringer by posting a weekly report on what’s biting and where.

 

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Our fishing expert, Jon Muhich of Buck’s Hardware, says fishing is very slow. Some diehard anglers are trying sucker minnows and fathead chubs.
 

There are some reports on Saganaga that WALLEYES were being fished at 50 feet with a jig and minnow. You probably could find fish a bit shallower but start out fairly deep like 25 to 35 feet.
 

SALMON and LAKE TROUT are being found at the mouths of the rivers such as Cascade, Poplar, and Temperance.

Crawlers continue to produce RAINBOW TROUT in 18 to 23 feet at Kimball Lake and in 22 to 25 feet at Leo Lake.

10/1/10 – There are lots of fish in Cook County lakes, the trick is to know where they are and how to catch them. WTIP wants to help fill out your stringer by posting a weekly report on what’s biting and where.

 

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Our fishing expert, Jon Muhich of Buck’s Hardware, says fishing is a little slow. But that’s not stopping people from giving it a try. Some are trying sucker minnows for walleyes and northerns while others are sticking with fathead chubs. The stream trout and laker season, however, is over.
 

Saganaga and Seagull are reporting some WALLEYE action fairly deep between 25 and 35 feet and jigging with minnows. NORTHERNS seem to be alive in a few lakes too. Bobber fishing with suckers in 8 to 12 feet of water is boating some of them while others are trolling with spoons. Hungry Jack, Poplar and Elbow Lakes are reporting action.
 

Probably the biggest fish story revolves around the LAKE SUPERIOR rivers. Pink salmon are gathering in the streams and reports of some Chinooks are also being reported. Salmon are staging out front of the rivers so your best bet this week for action seems to be the big lake. The Brule, Cascade, Poplar, and Kadunce rivers are all holding fish.

9/24/10 – There are lots of fish in Cook County lakes, the trick is to know where they are and how to catch them. WTIP wants to help fill out your stringer by posting a weekly report on what’s biting and where.

 

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Our fishing expert, Jon Muhich of Buck’s Hardware, is still fishing, but he’s also got the grouse season on his mind.He says it rarely gets better than this time of year to go fish for trout in a beautiful lake or babbling stream and then enhance your dinner that night with a grouse breast or two. He calls it outdoor heaven.
 

So on that note why not head to Carrot Lake or Leo Lake or even Esther Lake and throw out a night crawler or some sort of spinner and get yourself a few BROOK TROUT or RAINBOWS . Try in 12 to 20 feet of water off shore or slowly troll a spinner across the lake. If you’re a stream fisherman you’ve only got a couple of weeks left so you better get out there.
 

Some nice PERCH are biting in Hungry Jack Lake using minnows in 12 feet of water or so. Also perch are being caught on Saganaga and Seagull with minnows or crawlers at 15 to 23 feet.
 

If you feel like searching for NORTHERNS, Gunflint Lake reports some good action using sucker minnows in 8 to 15 feet of water. The SMALLMOUTHS seem to going fairly well up there too. Use minnows or crawlers.
 

WALLEYE action is still a bit tough. They’re there, but you’re going to have to work for them. Hungry Jack reported some nice keepers this past weekend using minnows on a lindy rig drifting in 22 to 30 feet of water. Saganaga and Seagull reports walleyes at various depths, 12 to 18 feet with a jig and minnow. Also try around 25 to 33 feet drifting a lindy rig.

 

9/17/10 – There are lots of fish in Cook County lakes, the trick is to know where they are and how to catch them. WTIP wants to help fill out your stringer by posting a weekly report on what’s biting and where.

 

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Our fishing expert, Jon Muhich of Buck’s Hardware, is still fishing, but he’s also got the grouse season on his mind.He says fishing has tailed off a bit in recent days but people are still managing to catch a few. Trout is still your best bet with the smallmouth hitting as well.
 

WALLEYES are kinda slow. A lot of little guys but the action is there on a few lakes. You might want to try Seagull in 30 or 35 feet of water with a jig and minnow but there are some reports of them hitting in the 15 to 22 foot range too. Hungry Jack is another lake to try around 25 feet or so in the flats. Try a slow troll or drift with a minnow. Homer is another one to try around 20 to 30 feet or so with a jig and minnow.
 

LAKE TROUT are going well at Saganaga about 60 feet or so.  The fish are suspended and a slow troll with spoons should bring some success. Greenwood Lake as deep as 80 feet (if you can get it down there) will put you on the lakers. Suspended here as well you might try the spoon troll technique. In Daniels and Moss 30 to 40 feet using ciscoes on a plain hook.
 

RAINBOW TROUT are still hitting on crawlers in Esther, Leo, Trestle Pine (splake too), and Trout lakes.18 to 26 feet off the bottom if your still fishing. Try trolling a spinner in the 13 to 18 foot range.
 

Don’t forget the SMALLIES as they’re still going well and you might get lucky casting into the big lake from shore for some LAKE TROUT. Fish are gathering in the rivers getting ready for the fall run so gear up with a few spawnbags and try the streams.

 

9/10/10 – There are lots of fish in Cook County lakes, the trick is to know where they are and how to catch them. WTIP wants to help fill out your stringer by posting a weekly report on what’s biting and where.

 

GRAND MARAIS AREA

According to our fishing expert, Jon Muhich of Buck’s Hardware, inconsistent is the word for our favorite fish, Mr. Walleye. The inconsistent weather is the reason.
 

WALLEYES -- What we’ve heard is that going deep might be the only way to hook into some. 25 to 35 feet is where most are searching but you have to work pretty hard for them. In Saganaga and Seagull  try minnows on a Lindy rig with a slow drift over the flats. Once you find them you can try switching to a jig and minnow. Two Island, Twin and Elbow lakes could be a good idea but depending on the depth of the particular lake you’re at, concentrate on going a little deeper right now. Minnows and crawlers here might hook you up but stick with a slow drift. Water temperatures need to drop a bit before we really start seeing better action.
 

LAKE TROUT seems to be a better bet for most people. At Saganaga and Greenwood, reports are that the fish are from 60 to 80 feet. They’re suspended in the 40 to 50 foot range and slow trolling with spoons seems to be the way to go. Trout Lake is reporting some action at 50 to 60 feet and they’re suspended from 30 to 40 feet. Spoons here also are doing well but a jig and minnow should yield results too. Duncan and Moss lakes are a couple of other nice lakes to try. 50 to 60 feet down off the bottom, with minnows or ciscoes on a plain hook.
 

RAINBOW TROUT action is good as always. Crawlers off the bottom or a slow troll with a Mepps lure or Swedish Pimple are working for most people. Depths are fairly consistent in the 18 to 28 foot range. Our good old standby lakes include: Leo, Kimball, Esther, and Ram.
 

A little BROOK TROUT action is also being reported in a few lakes in the 15 to 18 foot range. Try using crawlers off the bottom and don’t forget your fly rod for a little evening action on Carrot, Shoe, and Thrasher lakes. Brookie fisherman don’t like to give up their spots so these are only a few easy access lakes.
 

Finally, SMALLMOUTH BASS action is still pretty good so check out your favorite spots like Hungry Jack, Devil Track or Saganaga if you’re looking for some fun. Remember to be careful as the water levels are down at most of the lakes and some of the landings could be touch and go.

9/3/10 – There are lots of fish in Cook County lakes, the trick is to know where they are and how to catch them. WTIP wants to help fill out your stringer by posting a weekly report on what’s biting and where.

 

GRAND MARAIS AREA

According to our fishing expert, Jon Muhich of Buck’s Hardware, this week after talking to a few people up the trail there’s some major news… the walleyes are still biting!

WALLEYE action is picking up with both minnows and crawlers. Jigging and slow drifts around the rock piles in 15 to 23 feet of water appear to be the depths you want. However in Saganaga and Seagull lakes you might want to try deeper still. Area lakes to try this week include: Brule, Cascade, Two Island, and Devilfish. Best results are coming in the evening hours.
 

There hasn’t been a lot of chatter on LAKE TROUT action this week except for a couple of lakes. Greenwood at 50 to 60 feet using spoons and jigs tipped with a minnow is reporting some action. They’re suspended at about 40 feet. Sag action is around 45 to 55 feet or so. Ciscoes should put you on the fish here.
 

RAINBOW TROUT, always a good bet, are hitting on a number of lakes. Crawlers off the bottom at 18 to 25 feet or spinners will get you fish. Bring a fly rod with you too. Lakes to take a stab at include: Trestle Pine, Birch, Ram, Esther, Muckwa, and Chester -- for  brownies.
 

NORTHERNS might be fun this time of year. Try a few suckers in 12 to 18 feet around the weeds in Hungry Jack or troll a daredevil in Elbow for a little fun. Devil Track trolling with rapalas or spoons is a good bet and you just might land a walleye here with a Rapala.
 

LAKE SUPERIOR temperatures have been inconsistent and therefore so are the fishing results. You can definitely locate some Lakers and Salmon but you have to work for them by finding the correct temps. They seem to be deeper than past weeks, though.

 

GRAND MARAIS AREA

According to our fishing expert, Jon Muhich of Buck’s Hardware, this week after talking to a few people up the trail there’s some major news… the walleyes are biting again!

WALLEYES -- So if you’re on the prowl for our state fish, word is you should try fishing in depths ranging from 16 to 24 feet. Leeches are still working but it may become difficult to obtain them as the leech season is coming to a close … many bait dealers may have seen their last shipments. But that old friend, the fathead chub, has made a reappearance. Try the rock piles with a slow drift or a slip bobber. Also evening bites seem to be a little more productive.
 

A few lakes you can try are: Hungry Jack, Crescent, Two Island, Saganaga, and Pike. You might also try Poplar, Devilfish, or Deer Yard.
 

NORTHERNS are hitting as they usually do with sucker minnows in about 12 to 18 feet around the weed beds. Trolling with spoons should also result in some fish. Northern Light Lake and Elbow are reporting decent action.
 

For LAKE TROUT try Greenwoodwith a spoon tipped with a minnow or drop down a cisco on a jig. Depths seem to be in the 45 to 60 foot range. Duncan Lake will also produce some nice lakers in the 35 to 50 foot range. You might want to try a slow troll with a spoon here too if you feel the need to move around a bit. The fish are suspended so take that into account.
 

RAINBOW TROUT -- What would we do without them in the middle of the August blahs. They are hitting on crawlers in 15 feet or so down to about 25 feet. Mepps lures and Swedish pimples are also getting fish in the boat. Lakes to try include: Esther, Leo, Trestle Pine, Trout, and Kimball. These lakes are always a good bet and many are close to town.
 

Don’t forget the steady SMALLMOUTH BASS. Like the Eveready bunny they just keep going… and going. Try your usual walleye haunts or weed beds in 12 to 20 feet of water. You could also find fish doing the old slow troll along the shoreline casting Mepps lures, Rapalas, or any type of spinner bait. Plastic baits have also been successful. So throw a line into Poplar, Devil Track, Seagull, or Devilfish lakes for good bass action.

8/13/10 -- There are lots of fish in Cook County lakes, the trick is to know where they are and how to catch them. WTIP wants to help fillout your stringer by posting a weekly report on what's biting and where.

GRAND MARAIS AREA

According to our fishing expert, Jon Muhich of Buck’s Hardware. this week seems to be a carryover from last week. The heat is still affecting the walleye bite so you might want to try other species.
 

WALLEYES are a tough go but some people are catching a few using leeches and night crawlers. We’re hearing of varying depths to fish. Some are finding success in 12 to 18 feet around rock piles while others are as deep as 40 feet. Some lakes to try include: Poplar, Devil Track, Elbow, Pike, and Two Island.

LAKE TROUT are hitting using ciscoes or spoons. Most depths are in the 45 to 60 foot range. Good reports are coming in from Saganaga, Greenwood, Gunflint, Daniels, and Duncan Lakes.

RAINBOWS are still going strong. They’re using crawlers off the bottom in 18 to 25 feet of water. Good lakes to try include Leo, Trout, Esther and Mink.

And finally, if you have the means, Lake Superior is still on the upswing. You have to find the right temperature range but the fishing is good. SALMON are being caught in eighty feet or less as many are flat lining for the salmon. Down rigging has also proved effective. The LAKERS seem to be a bit deeper, over 120 feet.

According to our fishing expert, Jon Muhich of Buck’s Hardware, the icky, sticky weather this past week has not helped angling action. It’s still the season of the smallmouth bass, but the dog days of August really slow down the walleye action.   
        

WALLEYES -- Thebest bet for getting a few is in the 10 to 20 foot range using leeches. Fish the reefs and humps with a slip bobber and leech. Also you can try a live bait set-up and drift over those areas. Lakes to check out include: Hungry Jack, Sag, Seagull, Crescent, and Cascade.

Word is that the LAKE TROUT are doing quite well. Sag and Seagull are reporting fish in 50 feet of water but they are suspended. Use a jig and minnow or cisco and things should go alright. Greenwood Lakeis also reporting good laker action in around 60 feet of water or so. Drop down a cisco on a plain hook or a jig and minnow. Gunflint Lakeis another good one to try in 50 to 60 feet of water with jig and minnow.
 

For SMALLMOUTH BASS, wherever you go, there you are. Just about all the lakes are having success. Try leeches or crawlers on a slip bobber in 15 feet or so, though all depths are reporting good action. If you feel like casting, try a slow troll next to the shoreline casting Mepps lures or any other type of spinner toward the shore and retrieve. Smallie fishing can be a lot of fun so give it a try. Lakes to fish include: Daniels, Sag, Seagull, Loon, and Hungry Jack.

RAINBOW TROUT - the ‘bows are still hitting well. Crawlers and spinners are producing fish. Also, spoons such as a Swedish Pimple would be a good bet. Most action is in 12 to 20 feet. Some lakes to try: Trout, Trestle Pine, Leo, Esther, and Kimball.

Lake Superior is still reporting good action. People are fishing in about 80 to 100 feet and catching some nice SALMON. Lakers are a little deeper, 120 to 180 feet or so. 

7/30/10 -- There are lots fish in Cook County lakes – the trick is to know where they are and how to catch them. WTIP wants to help fill out your stringer by posting a weekly report on what’s biting and where.