Greetings, angler! Here is your comprehensive fishing report for today, September 13, 2025, for Minnesota's “Big 5” Lakes.
🌤️ Regional Forecast & Conditions
A mix of sun and clouds is expected across the northern and central regions of Minnesota, with a slight chance of isolated showers. A cooling trend from previous days will continue, with water temperatures in the low to mid-60s, signaling a definitive shift toward fall patterns. Fish will be actively feeding as they sense the approaching winter, making this a prime time for anglers.
Lake of the Woods
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 6:48 AM
Sunset: 7:44 PM
Moonrise: 7:27 PM
Moonset: 6:14 AM
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 61.4%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: ~29.98 inHg (Steady)
Temperature: 59°F to 73°F
Wind: ESE at 11 mph
Precipitation Chance: 10%
Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): The early morning hours present a key opportunity as walleyes may be found in shallower shoreline areas before transitioning to deeper waters as the sun gets higher. Jigging with a frozen emerald shiner near shoreline breaks and the edges of reefs is a promising strategy.[1]
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): As the day progresses, focus on the deep mud basin in 28-32 feet of water.[2] Trolling with spinners and crawlers at 1.0-1.25 mph is a proven technique to cover these expansive areas and locate active schools of walleye and sauger.[2] Consider gold/pink or silver/blue spinner blades.
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): The evening bite should pick up along shoreline transition areas once again. Trolling crankbaits in gold, chrome/blue, or firetiger patterns can be highly effective as fish move shallower to feed in low-light conditions.[2]
Mille Lacs Lake
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 6:50 AM
Sunset: 7:29 PM
Moonrise: 7:21 PM
Moonset: 6:11 AM
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 61.4%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: ~29.96 inHg (Steady)
Temperature: 62°F to 75°F
Wind: ESE at 6.7 mph
Precipitation Chance: 10%
Cloud Cover: Mostly Cloudy
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): Focus on shallow rock piles and the tops of reefs in 8-12 feet of water for both walleye and smallmouth bass.[3] A slip bobber with a leech or a Ned rig for bass can be very effective in these areas, especially during the low-light hours of the early morning.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): The midday period may see fish moving to deeper structure. Target the edges of the mud flats and gravel bars in 28-32 feet for walleye.[4][5] Trolling with lead core and small crankbaits can be a productive method to reach these deeper fish.[5]
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): The evening bite is expected to be strong in 18-22 foot flats, particularly where rock transitions to gravel.[6][7] Slip bobbers with leeches are a go-to presentation for walleye during this time.[6] For muskie, casting large bucktails or glide baits over deep weed lines can trigger strikes from active predators.[8]
Leech Lake
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 6:53 AM
Sunset: 7:33 PM
Moonrise: 8:44 PM
Moonset: 10:34 AM
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 61.4%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: ~29.96 inHg (Steady)
Temperature: 61°F to 75°F
Wind: SE at moderate speed
Precipitation Chance: 10%
Cloud Cover: Cloudy
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): Start the day by targeting walleyes on sand flats with scattered grass in 12-16 feet of water.[9] A jig and minnow or a slip bobber rig are excellent choices. Look for pods of fish using your electronics before anchoring.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): As the sun is at its highest, consider switching your focus to muskie. Casting bucktails around the 5- to 9-foot weeds in Portage Bay has been productive.[10] For walleye, a slower presentation with a jig and crawler on the Annex in 13-16 feet can entice bites.[10]
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): Trolling crankbaits in the evening can be very effective for walleye as they become more active in shallower water.[1] Target the edges of weed beds and points with access to deeper water.
Lake Winnibigoshish
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 6:51 AM
Sunset: 7:32 PM
Moonrise: 9:40 PM
Moonset: 1:24 PM
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 61.4%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: ~29.96 inHg (Steady)
Temperature: 61°F to 75°F
Wind: SE at moderate speed
Precipitation Chance: 20%
Cloud Cover: Cloudy
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): The jig and minnow bite is expected to be strong in the morning.[11] Focus on main lake shoreline structures in 6-11 feet of water, especially on windy and cloudy days. Look for areas with standing green weeds as they will hold fish.[12]
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): During the brighter afternoon hours, crappies can be found in 13-17 feet of water in the Cutfoot Sioux area.[13] Vertical jigging with a 1/16-ounce jig is an effective technique. Walleye may also be found on deeper rock structures.
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): As evening approaches, walleyes will likely move back into shallower feeding areas. Trolling spinners or crankbaits along shoreline breaks can be a productive way to cover water and locate active fish.
Upper Red Lake
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 6:55 AM
Sunset: 7:36 PM
Moonrise: 8:06 PM
Moonset: 9:13 AM
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 61.4%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: ~29.96 inHg (Steady)
Temperature: 62°F to 77°F
Wind: S at moderate speed
Precipitation Chance: 10%
Cloud Cover: Mostly Cloudy
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): The morning hours provide an excellent opportunity for shore and boat anglers near the Waskish shoreline. Walleyes will be relating to the subtle break close to shore. A slip bobber with a leech or fathead minnow is a top choice.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): Walleyes may be scattered on the 6-10 foot flats during the day. Trolling spinners with crawlers or minnows is a good way to locate these roaming pods of fish. Also, check the weed edges in 10-13 feet for a mix of perch and walleye.
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): The evening bite should be strong in the shallower flats as walleye move in to feed. Casting jigs tipped with minnows or plastics can be very effective as dusk approaches.
🌕 Solunar Activity Forecast
Major Feeding Periods: 5:05 AM - 7:05 AM and 5:36 PM - 7:36 PM
Minor Feeding Periods: 2:12 PM - 3:12 PM and 9:54 PM - 10:54 PM
Best Bite Windows: The evening major feeding period, from 5:36 PM to 7:36 PM, is predicted to be the most active time. This period directly coincides with sunset, creating a prime low-light hunting opportunity for predatory species. The stable barometric pressure across the region should also contribute to a consistent bite throughout the day.
🎯 Lure & Presentation Strategy
Walleye:
Lure Recommendations:
Jigs: 1/8 to 1/4 oz jigs in gold, orange, chartreuse, or purple, tipped with frozen emerald shiners or large fathead minnows.[12]
Crankbaits: #7 Shad Raps, Flicker Shads, or #4 Salmo Hornets in perch, firetiger, or chrome/blue patterns.[9]
Spinners: Gold/pink, gold/red, and silver/blue blades with crawlers.[2]
Presentation Advice:
Depth: Focus on 6-13 feet in the mornings and evenings, and 18-32 feet during the day.
Retrieve: When trolling, maintain a speed of 1.0-1.25 mph. For jigging, a slow lift-and-fall presentation is often most effective.
Local Insights: The fall transition is in full swing, with cooling water temperatures pushing baitfish, primarily perch and shiners, towards shoreline structures and into bays. Walleye are following this forage, making shoreline breaks and the edges of weed beds key areas to target.
Contingency Plan (Plan B): If walleye are not on the shallower structures, the Plan B is to target the deeper mudflats and gravel bars in 28-32 feet of water. The fish may be holding in these deeper, more stable environments, especially during midday.
Smallmouth Bass:
Lure Recommendations:
Ned Rigs: Natural crawfish or goby colors.
Jerkbaits: Suspending models in natural baitfish patterns.
Topwater: Whopper Ploppers or similar baits during low-light periods.
Presentation Advice:
Depth: Target rocky points and reefs in 8-15 feet of water.
Retrieve: A slow, steady retrieve for Ned rigs and a twitch-pause-twitch retrieve for jerkbaits will be effective.
Local Insights: Smallmouth are actively feeding on rocky structures as they prepare for winter. The presence of crayfish is a key factor in locating active bass.
Contingency Plan (Plan B): If smallmouth are not on the shallow rocks, the Plan B is to move to deeper rock piles and ledges in 15-25 feet of water, as they may have transitioned to deeper structure.
Muskie:
Lure Recommendations:
Bucktails: Large double-bladed models in black, orange, or chartreuse.
Glide Baits: Phantoms or similar baits in natural perch or cisco patterns.[8]
Topwater: Large walk-the-dog style baits during low-light periods.
Presentation Advice:
Depth: Focus on the edges of deep weed lines and rocky points with access to deep water.
Retrieve: Vary your retrieve speed with bucktails, and incorporate pauses and erratic movements with glide baits to trigger strikes.
Local Insights: Muskie are becoming more active with the cooling water temperatures and can often be found near schools of cisco or other baitfish.
Contingency Plan (Plan B): If muskies are not active on the weed edges, the Plan B is to troll large, deep-diving crankbaits over the open basin, as they may be suspended and feeding on schools of pelagic forage.
🧭 Data Sources
This report was synthesized from credible sources, including the MN DNR, NOAA, USGS, and public angler databases.