On the South End…  Walleyes are setting up in good numbers in 22 – 27 feet of water, with the bite excellent as we move deeper into fall. Vertical jigging with a frozen emerald shiner has been the most popular and productive technique, but anglers are also having success pulling spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits to cover water.

Water temps remain in the low 60s, and fish are starting to slide into a variety of locations adjacent to the south shore. Anglers are reporting limits of walleyes and saugers, with some jumbo perch showing up in the mix as well. As the days shorten and the waters cool further, expect shoreline activity to steadily increase.

The areas in front of Pine Island, Morris Point, Zippel Bay, and Long Point area are all holding fish.  Jumbo perch have been in very good numbers all year and are a welcome bonus.

Rainy River…  There are some emerald shiners that have entered the river, but the big push has not arrived yet. Still, anglers are finding walleyes in the system and catching fish fairly consistently.  It will only get better as water temps cool down and days get shorter.

The go-to presentation remains a jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner. Working fishy areas in the river such as holes, bars, current breaks, and flats will produce walleyes.

In addition, sturgeon activity is picking up as fall progresses. A sturgeon rig with a load of nightcrawlers, sometimes paired with a frozen shiner, has been the winning setup. The sturgeon “harvest” season runs through September 30, with catch-and-release beginning October 1 and running through April 23, 2026.

There are 42 miles of navigable river from the mouth of the river at Wheeler’s Point down through Baudette and east to Birchdale with many boat ramps along the way.

Northwest Angle…  Up at the NW Angle, fishing remains excellent with big numbers of walleyes and crappies keeping anglers very busy. The incredible variety of structure—islands, neck-down areas, reefs, and mud transitions—is producing fish consistently.

Muskie anglers are also reporting success, with both follows and catches coming as fish ramp up feeding in the cooling water. Pike remain a mainstay in the mix, while smallmouth bass continue to provide action around rocky points and shorelines.

As the waters continue cooling, anglers can expect the shoreline bite and river action to only get better in the coming weeks.

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