Minnesota - River - Walleye Fishing Report at IDOfishing.com

Tim with a ringworm walleye

I have had the chance to hit the water 3 times since my last report. Not much has changed on the walleye bite for my boat. My customers and I are still finding a nice supply of the big mama eyes in less than 12’ of water. Sand and rip rap have both taken bigger fish on my last 3 guide trips. Rip rap has been best early, once that bite slows, I am targeting sand looking for those walleye that are just cruising around for a quick meal.

Paul with a nice river walleye

One thing that has stood out for me on the last three trips is one half of the day the walleye bite has been very good and the other has been very poor to non existent. The walleye that inhabit the areas I am targeting on have not been feeding on and off throughout the day. The am hours have been better on the numbers of walleye for me with most of my bigger walleye coming mid day. The morning hours have been best for the eater size fish in my boat. I am only seeing 13-20 walleyes a day unfortunately but we have been fortunate enough to boat the bigger fish that we have been looking for

Joan with big mama walleye!

My best presentation for the bigger walleye has still been pitching jigs. Plastics have been my best bait with the ringworms taking top honors for the last couple of trips. I am still getting a few fish on a jig and minnow but with the water starting to stain in most areas, plastics have prevailed almost every day for consistently boating the bigger fish. If I am in an area with water visibility greater than 4’ I am still able to catch some nice walleye on a jig and minnow mid day. Areas with less than 4’ of visibility plastics have ruled supreme in the mid day hours. If your not sure, just mix it up a bit, give each presentation a chance to let the fish dictate what they want.

Mark with a purple/chartreuse tail ringworm walleye

My best color of ringworm has been pro-blue with oyster shell, purple/chartreuse tail and firecracker/chartreuse tail all a close second. Plain lead, sour apple or black precision heads have been best. If I am fortunate enough to have a day with out wind, which has not happened in the mid day hours here as of late, 1/8oz jigs have been good. Once the wind kicks up, 3/16oz and 1/4oz have gotten the job done.

The water on pool 4 has only seen a slight change in our stage and flow. The flow has picked up some but not enough to make a drastic change in fish location. Be prepared to keep on the hunt with the walleye moving daily right now.

The sauger bite has been good from the anglers I have spoken to who are targeting them. Sorry, I have no information on presentation for these fish. I have only seen one sauger make it in to the boat since my last report and it was a dandy weighing 5lbs. That sauger will be pictured below.

I would like to thank the last three groups of anglers that I fished with. I had a great time and am looking forward to fishing with all of you again in the future.