Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge

FISHING REPORT from fishing guide Lynn Harker

Sept. 14, 2018

As water temps are cooling the fish are starting to move into their fall patterns. The lakes haven’t turned over yet, that doesn’t happen until we get water temps in the low to mid 50’s. Right now the temps are from 66-69 degrees. Fall colors are starting to show themselves so get out in the water and enjoy some the Minnesota’s finest fishing and scenery!

Bay Lake…Crappies are really bunching up on the edge of deep weed lines in 12-14 ft. Jigs and minnow are the best producers. Bass are moving shallower now and are in the heavy weeds. Topwater early in the morning or late evening can provide great action. Otherwise plastic worms in the weeds are a great choice. Some walleyes are hitting in 14-20 ft on spinner rigs and bottom bouncers. Pike action remain constant in all areas with the bigger fish coming on larger artificial baits.

August 15, 2018

Bay Lake…Afternoons have been tougher fishing with the heat and boat traffic.  Mornings are still producing fish in 14-20 ft. Crappies are getting more active during the day on the weed edge.
Farm Island Lake… Walleyes were active in the weeds. Pitching a jig and minnow worked well in 10-12’
Lake Mille Lacs… Smallmouth are biting on crawlers on the deep rocks in 14-18’.

August 9, 2018

Bay Lake…Bass and northern fishing remain strong on Bay Lake.  A jig and minnow or a plastic worm worked slowly in 12-18 ft of water has produced many fish. Nice size panfish are on the deep weed edge. Small leeches or a piece of worm on a small jig will work great! Vertical jigging or under a float are the best techniques.

July 30, 2018

Bay Lake…Bay Lake bass are very active but are moving deeper to mid lake humps. Berkeley Power bait, 7” worm,  in either purple or motor oil color has been the hot bait for bass this week on Bay. Fish them on a 1/4 oz mushroom head jig in 14-18 ft of water. Fish it slow and close to the bottom.

July 24, 2018

Bay Lake…Bay Lake continues to have a fantastic bite going on right now. Bass fishing remains very strong and we continue to catch a few walleyes during the day. The same patterns from last week are holding. Work the sharpest shoreline breaks with a jig and minnow or plastic worm in 12-15 feet of water. You’ll run into an occasional walleye on the deeper weed edges and nice sunfish in 10-15 feet.

July 18, 2018

Bay Lake…The bass bite is very strong right now. Find the sharpest shoreline break and work a jig and minnow or a plastic worm in 12-15 ft. Walleyes are on the weed edge also but very tough to catch. Nice size sunfish are very active in 10-15 ft.

July 8, 2018

Bay Lake…Fishing on Bay Lake this week was exceptional! Many trips in excess of 20 or more bass alone. We even found a few walleyes and crappies while bass fishing. Bigger sunfish are beginning to school up on the edge of the weed line in 12-14 ft.

June 25, 2018 

Bay Lake…Bass fishing is very good. We have been using 7” power worms and light jigs and minnows in 10-12 ft of water. Try to find green cabbage weeds with no milfoil and fish the edge. Don’t be afraid to try surface lures early in the morning with calm conditions. Fish Chug Bugs, Skitter Pops, and floating Rapalas over heavy weeds.

Walleyes have moved into the weed edge in 12-16 ft. Bobber fishing a leech has been working if you can keep the panfish away.

Northern pike are active at all depths and on most any bait you want to fish!

June 21, 2018 

Bay Lake…The bass bite on Bay Lake has really picked up. Try Berkeley Power worms  in 10-14 ft. of water.

Lake Mille Lacs…There was a mayfly hatch this week and the walleyes and smallmouth have been gorging themselves on them. Nightcrawlers have been the best bait because they resemble a mayfly hatching out of the mud and wiggling up to the surface. The walleyes are moving out to the mudflats and the smallies are in 12-14ft of water on the rocks.

Farm Island Lake…The walleye bite has slowed.