Minnesota Fishing Forecast | Week of November 2, 2026

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:47 PM). On Basswood Lake, the falling atmospheric pressure and steady rain had the walleyes biting well off the rocky points, making for a decent start to the week.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Dawn (6:55 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:45 PM). Fishing Snowbank Lake proved challenging as the rising air pressure made the walleye sluggish, requiring us to dredge the deeper channels for any action.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 4:44 PM. Despite the chilly 4. 8-degree water on the Kawishiwi River, the dropping pressure stirred up some wal leye.

Pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:42 PM. Put in at Burntside Lake for walleye. The day rates slow. Fish points and inside turns. If the first point is empty, move. Walleye rarely sit on every point the same night. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Light wind.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:41 PM). walleye at Basswood Lake: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish points and inside turns. Keep the bait near bottom on the break. They are not chasing far this week.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

Dawn (7:01 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:39 PM). Start at Snowbank Lake if walleye is the target. Poor day. Fish points and inside turns. Give each spot twenty minutes, then leave. Cover water until one point loads up.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:54 AM and 4:47 PM. At Basswood Lake, a moderate SE wind and falling pressure with a steady rain, though the 6.4C water was cool, saw us target wind-swept points for a fair pike bite.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:55 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. On Snowbank Lake, the rising pressure under an E wind and light rain, with water temps around 5. 6C, put the pike into a deep funk, making for a truly slow pick along structure lines, frustrating anglers."

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Fair northern pike fishing if you put in at Kawishiwi River. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Dirty water after rain can turn the bite on in the shallows.

Pressure is rising.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:58 AM and 4:42 PM. Put in at Burntside Lake for northern pike. The day rates slow. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Dirty water after rain can turn the bite on in the shallows.

Light wind.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 7:00 AM or 4:41 PM. northern pike at Basswood Lake: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. If they short-strike, size down and slow the pause.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Start at Snowbank Lake if northern pike is the target. Poor day. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Figure-eight at the boat. A following pike often eats on the turn.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:47 PM). Basswood Lake presented a tough start to the week, as the falling atmospheric weight with moderate rain and a southeast breeze kept smallmouth reluctant, making slow-rolled spinnerbaits near cover our best bet.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is rising.

Dawn (6:55 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:45 PM). Snowbank Lake was a real grind with the cold 5.6 C water and light rain, and even with the pressure climbing, the smallmouth remained tight-lipped, forcing us to try deep breaks with tube jigs.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 4:44 PM. The Kawishiwi River proved challenging with the temperature dropping to 4.8 C and pressure falling amidst light rain, so we focused on slower eddies and current seams, hoping to entice a sluggish bronzeback.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:42 PM. Burntside Lake was an absolute struggle; despite the pressure trending upward, the frigid 3.5 C water and a persistent north wind kept the smallmouth hunkered down, requiring painstaking vertical jigging on submerged humps.

Water is too cold for bass and light wind.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:41 PM). On Basswood Lake, the clear conditions and steady pressure were offset by the shockingly cold 3.0 C water, necessitating an extremely slow retrieve of suspending jerkbaits over deep rock piles to trigger any interest.

Water is too cold for bass and light wind.

Dawn (7:01 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:39 PM). Snowbank Lake offered a truly miserable bite; with the water temperature a shocking 1.6 C and a light south wind, the steady pressure couldn’t coax any smallmouth from their deepest, darkest wintering holes, even with subtle soft plastics.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Work the basin from mid-morning through early afternoon. Dawn (6:54 AM) is optional. On Basswood Lake, with the pressure dropping and a steady SE breeze pushing rain, we targeted the 40-foot breaks, anticipating the trout to be moving up from the colder depths.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Stay deep once the sun is up. The beach is the wrong place today. The rising pressure and easterly wind on Snowbank Lake made for a tough bite, forcing us to meticulously probe the profound contours for any sign of a reluctant laker.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Give it until after 6:57 AM, then fish the deep water, not the shoreline. Falling pressure on the Kawishiwi River, despite the chilly air, signaled an approaching storm.

Pressure is rising.

Work the basin from mid-morning through early afternoon. Dawn (6:58 AM) is optional. Put in at Burntside Lake for lake trout. The day rates slow. Fish the deep basin. Change direction over the same water before you leave a basin. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Light wind.

Stay deep once the sun is up. The beach is the wrong place today. lake trout at Basswood Lake: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish the deep basin. Early light can pull a few up. By mid-morning they are back in the deep water.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

Give it until after 7:01 AM, then fish the deep water, not the shoreline. Start at Snowbank Lake if lake trout is the target. Poor day. Fish the deep basin. Stay on one contour once you contact fish. They are using that break, not the whole lake.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Work the basin from mid-morning through early afternoon. Dawn (6:47 AM) is optional. On Lake Superior, with an east wind bringing moderate rain and a dropping glass, the big ones were likely hunkered deep, making a vertical presentation near structure our best bet.

Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Stay deep once the sun is up. The beach is the wrong place today. Devil Track Lake remained challenging under a gray sky and a gentle easterly breeze, so we jigged the breaks hard, hoping to entice a reluctant bite from the cooler water.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Give it until after 6:50 AM, then fish the deep water, not the shoreline. The strong northerly gale whipping across Cascade River made boat control a nightmare, pushing us to work the sheltered shorelines with heavy spoons, knowing the falling mercury would keep the fish tight-lipped.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Work the basin from mid-morning through early afternoon. Dawn (6:52 AM) is optional. Despite the biting north wind and light drizzle over the Gunflint lakes, a rising glass hinted at a slight improvement, urging us to slowly troll large baits along drop-offs in the frigid depths.

Light wind.

Stay deep once the sun is up. The beach is the wrong place today. On Lake Superior, under a clear sky and a gentle southeast air movement, the extremely cold water meant we had to painstakingly probe rocky points with slow-moving plastics to tempt any lakers.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

Give it until after 6:55 AM, then fish the deep water, not the shoreline. Devil Track Lake was particularly challenging with the water just above freezing and a quiet northwest breeze, forcing us to thoroughly work deep structure with deadsticked minnows, hoping for a miracle.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:47 AM and 4:41 PM. With the air dropping on Lake Superior and a steady eastern breeze churning the surface, those brook trout should be hitting streamers near structure, despite the moderate rain.

Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:49 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Devil Track Lake proved a tough go with steady pressure and light easterly air, so I’ll try probing deeper pockets for any willing brookies.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. The strong northern gusts on Cascade River, coupled with dropping air, suggest the brookies will be tucked into current breaks, requiring heavier nymphs.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:52 AM and 4:36 PM. On the Gunflint lakes, the rapidly rising air and frigid 3.8 degree water will likely keep the brook trout deep and tight to the bottom, demanding a slow retrieve.

Light wind.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 6:53 AM or 4:35 PM. Despite the clear conditions on Lake Superior, the near-freezing 2.4-degree water will have those brookies barely moving, making a finesse presentation essential for any takers.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. The extremely cold 1.1-degree water on Devil Track Lake, even under an overcast sky, means the brook trout will be in a state of torpor, requiring a precise, almost motionless offering right on their nose.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:47 AM and 4:41 PM. Lake Superior’s falling pressure and moderate easterly, coupled with a steady rain, had us targeting the 5.9C water column, expecting active chinooks near the drop-offs.

Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:49 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Devil Track Lake’s steady pressure and light east breeze made for a challenging day, as the chinooks in the 6.7C water were tight-lipped, requiring careful jigging through the dim light.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Near Cascade River State Park.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:52 AM and 4:36 PM. Put in at Gunflint lakes for chinook. The day rates slow. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Light wind.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 6:53 AM or 4:35 PM. chinook at Lake Superior: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Start at Devil Track Lake if chinook is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:41 PM). On Lake Superior, the falling pressure with a moderate easterly and rain should have the walleye biting jigs on the deeper breaks.

Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Dawn (6:49 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:39 PM). Devil Track Lake’s steady pressure and light easterly breeze under an overcast sky means a slower bite, so I’ll work the weed edges with shiners.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 4:38 PM. The Cascade River will be a challenge with that hard north wind and a drop in pressure, requiring slow presentations with minnows in the current THOUGHTS: The user wants me to complete the sentence.
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Words used: The Cascade River will be a challenge with that hard north wind and a drop in pressure, requiring slow presentations with minnows in the current near submerged logs.
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Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:36 PM. Put in at Gunflint lakes for walleye. The day rates slow. Fish points and inside turns. Too much wind to hold a spot. Tuck into the lee and fish slower. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Light wind.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:35 PM). walleye at Lake Superior: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish points and inside turns. Keep the bait near bottom on the break. They are not chasing far this week.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

Dawn (6:55 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:34 PM). Start at Devil Track Lake if walleye is the target. Poor day. Fish points and inside turns. Give each spot twenty minutes, then leave. Cover water until one point loads up.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (5:03 PM). On Red Lake, a falling glass and easterly breeze brought a decent bite near the shallow points, despite the moderate rain and water still a cool 6.6 degrees.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Dawn (7:13 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (5:02 PM). The Red River bite was tough with the rising pressure and a northwest chop, pushing the walleye deep and making them finicky in the 4.9-degree flow.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 5:00 PM. Upper Red Lake offered a challenging day, as the steady pressure and southerly wind kept the walleye hunkered down, requiring precise jigging in the frigid 4.8-degree water.

Pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:59 PM. On Thief River, the rising glass and eastern gusts made for a sluggish bite, forcing us to crawl jigs slowly along breaks in the bitter 3.3-degree current.

Pressure is falling.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:57 PM). A light southeast breeze and dropping pressure on Red Lake brought a fair bite in the clear, but near-freezing 2.6-degree water, demanding a subtle presentation near structure.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

Dawn (7:19 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:56 PM). The Red River was a tough grind under a clear sky and steady southerly wind, with the walleye holding tight to bottom in the barely-above-freezing 2.5-degree flow.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:11 AM and 5:03 PM. Start in shallower bays, look for active fish despite the east wind, as the falling pressure might ignite a bite on Red Lake.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:13 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. The Red River bite was tough with the rising pressure and cold northwest pushing through, making us work hard for any strikes.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. On Upper Red Lake, the steady pressure and cool water under an overcast sky meant a slow grind, requiring patience and subtle presentations.

Pressure is rising.

Use the first light at 7:16 AM, or the last hour before 4:59 PM. The Thief River was a tough nut to crack with the water chilling down and the pressure climbing, making for a real slow pick despite the broken sky.

Pressure is falling.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 7:18 AM or 4:57 PM. A falling front over Red Lake, despite the clear conditions and icy water, still offered a fair shot if you could find those sluggish fish in deeper pockets.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:19 AM and 4:56 PM. The Red River proved a true test of wills, with the water barely above freezing and a steady pressure, forcing us to crawl baits along the bottom for any interest.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:11 AM and 5:03 PM. On Red Lake, the east wind and dropping pressure with that moderate rain had the perch biting pretty well, especially near the breaklines.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:13 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. The rising pressure and cooling water to near five degrees made for a tough bite on the Red River, even with a moderate northwest breeze.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Upper Red Lake was a grind today, with the water hovering just under five degrees and a steady south wind, the perch were hunkered down tight to bottom structure.

Pressure is rising.

Use the first light at 7:16 AM, or the last hour before 4:59 PM. That bitter east wind and rapidly rising pressure on Thief River kept the already frigid three-degree water from producing much action; those perch were glued to the bottom.

Pressure is falling.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 7:18 AM or 4:57 PM. Despite the clear, calm conditions and dropping pressure, the near-freezing two-degree water on Red Lake meant you had to work hard for every nibble, but they were there.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:19 AM and 4:56 PM. The Red River was incredibly slow with the water barely above freezing under clear skies and steady pressure, requiring a very subtle presentation to entice any perch.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:11 AM and 5:03 PM. At Red Lake on Monday, the falling pressure and 6.6 C water had us searching the eastern shore breaks, but the moderate rain and E wind made for a fair bite.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:13 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Tuesday on the Red River was a grind, with the 4.9 C water and rising pressure from a NW moderate wind pushing the sauger into deeper current seams where they were largely unresponsive to our jigs.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Wednesday at Upper Red Lake, the steady pressure and 4.8 C water meant a tough go, finding the sauger hunkered down on the main lake points, barely interested under the S moderate wind.

Pressure is rising.

Use the first light at 7:16 AM, or the last hour before 4:59 PM. The Thief River bite on Thursday was painfully slow, as the rising pressure and frigid 3.3 C water kept sauger glued to the bottom in the deepest holes, despite the broken and E moderate wind.

Pressure is falling.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 7:18 AM or 4:57 PM. A fair day at Red Lake on Friday saw us working the shallower flats where the falling pressure and light SE wind briefly coaxed a few sauger out of the 2.6 C chill, despite the clear sky.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:19 AM and 4:56 PM. Saturday on the Red River was a real grind, with the clear sky and steady pressure making the 2.5 C water sauger incredibly lethargic, requiring precise presentations in deep bends, even with a S moderate wind.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (5:00 PM). On Mille Lacs, despite the dropping air, a moderate southeast breeze and light rain could push walleyes shallower, making a jig and minnow near points a decent starting strategy in the 7-degree water.

Pressure is rising.

Dawn (7:01 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:58 PM). A rising air column and westerly blow on Gull Lake meant a tough bite, so working deeper breaks with a shiner seemed the only way to coax a strike from fish hunkering down in the cooling 6.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 4:57 PM. Slow walleye fishing if you put in at Leech Lake. Fish points and inside turns. A slow drag along the inside turn beats a fast retrieve on a still evening. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:55 PM. Put in at Lake Osakis for walleye. The day rates slow. Fish points and inside turns. If the first point is empty, move. Walleye rarely sit on every point the same night.

Light wind.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:54 PM). walleye at Mille Lacs: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish points and inside turns. Keep the bait near bottom on the break. They are not chasing far this week.

Light wind.

Dawn (7:07 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:53 PM). Start at Gull Lake if walleye is the target. Slow day. Fish points and inside turns. Give each spot twenty minutes, then leave. Cover water until one point loads up.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:59 AM and 5:00 PM. The falling pressure and light rain on Mille Lacs might mean working those wind-blown points with bucktails, hoping for a hungry ‘lunge to smash it.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:01 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. On Gull Lake, with the pressure on the rise and a west wind, the deep breaks and structure could hold reluctant fish, so slow presentations might coax a strike.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Leech Lake, with its steady conditions and a cool north breeze, calls for probing the weed edges with jigs.

Pressure is rising.

Use the first light at 7:04 AM, or the last hour before 4:55 PM. Put in at Lake Osakis for muskellunge. The day rates slow. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee.

Light wind.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 7:05 AM or 4:54 PM. muskellunge at Mille Lacs: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:07 AM and 4:53 PM. Start at Gull Lake if muskellunge is the target. Slow day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:59 AM and 5:00 PM. Monday on Mille Lacs, with that falling pressure and rain, I’d hit the southern bays early, looking for bass before the chill set in.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:01 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Gull Lake on Tuesday, with the water cooling and a rising pressure, means working those deeper breaks with a slow retrieve, as the fish are likely sluggish.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Wednesday on Leech Lake, that steady pressure combined with the dropping water temps and a north wind suggests probing rocky points, hoping for a cold-stunned bite.

Pressure is rising.

Use the first light at 7:04 AM, or the last hour before 4:55 PM. Lake Osakis Thursday, the rising pressure and cooler water will push bass tight to structure, so a patient approach around submerged timber is key.

Light wind.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 7:05 AM or 4:54 PM. Back at Mille Lacs on Friday, with the water plummeting and a light northeast breeze, I’d try sheltered coves, pitching jigs slowly to lethargic bass.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:07 AM and 4:53 PM. Saturday at Gull Lake, with the water barely above freezing and a steady pressure, the best bet is finesse fishing deep humps, barely moving the bait.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:59 AM and 5:00 PM. On Mille Lacs, with the water at 7.4 C and a moderate southeast breeze ushering in precipitation, the falling air kept the pike biting well in the shallows.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:01 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. The rising air on Gull Lake, combined with a steady west wind and 6.5 C water amidst a damp chill, made for a tough bite, so we worked deep breaks hoping for a straggler.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Leech Lake is a large lake located in north-central Minnesota.

Pressure is rising.

Use the first light at 7:04 AM, or the last hour before 4:55 PM. Put in at Lake Osakis for northern pike. The day rates slow. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Follow the weedline rather than anchoring in one hole.

Light wind.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 7:05 AM or 4:54 PM. northern pike at Mille Lacs: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. If they short-strike, size down and slow the pause.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:07 AM and 4:53 PM. Start at Gull Lake if northern pike is the target. Slow day. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Figure-eight at the boat. A following pike often eats on the turn.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:59 PM). The moderate south wind and dropping atmospheric pressure suggested a decent bite on Lake Minnetonka, so I planned to jig the weed edges in 10-12 feet despite the light rain.

Pressure is rising.

Dawn (6:54 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:57 PM). With the Mississippi River’s water still above 7 degrees and the pressure on the rise, I anticipated a slower bite, focusing on current breaks and eddies with a slow retrieve under the moderate west wind.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 4:56 PM. White Bear Lake’

Pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:55 PM. Put in at Prior Lake for walleye. The day rates slow. Fish points and inside turns. If the first point is empty, move. Walleye rarely sit on every point the same night.

Pressure is rising.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:54 PM). walleye at Lake Minnetonka: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish points and inside turns. Keep the bait near bottom on the break. They are not chasing far this week.

Light wind.

Dawn (7:00 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:52 PM). Start at Mississippi River if walleye is the target. Fair day. Fish points and inside turns. Give each spot twenty minutes, then leave. Cover water until one point loads up.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:53 AM and 4:59 PM. On Lake Minnetonka, a falling glass and light drizzle with a moderate south wind might get some pre-spawn bass active around transition areas, though the wintry mix makes it a gamble at 7.6 degrees.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:54 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. The Mississippi River bite was tough with rising pressure and a steady west wind, as bass hunkered down in current breaks despite the spitting rain and water still hovering around 7.4 degrees.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Slow largemouth bass fishing if you put in at White Bear Lake. Fish the first break. If the first spot is quiet, move. Do not grind an empty piece of water. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Pressure is rising.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:57 AM and 4:55 PM. Put in at Prior Lake for largemouth bass. The day rates slow. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:58 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. largemouth bass at Lake Minnetonka: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:00 AM and 4:52 PM. Start at Mississippi River if largemouth bass is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:53 AM and 4:59 PM. With Minnetonka’s water at 7.6 C and pressure dropping under a light S wind and drizzle, I’m hitting those main lake points early, expecting a fair bite from active fish.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:54 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Despite the rising pressure and moderate W wind on the Mississippi River, the 7.4 C water and light rain made for a slow bite, so I’m focusing on slack water eddies where they might be holding tight.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. White Bear Lake’s 6.3 C water and steady pressure with a moderate W wind brought a slow bite, requiring persistent presentations along the deep weed lines to coax any follows.

Pressure is rising.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:57 AM and 4:55 PM. Prior Lake, with its 5.2 C water and rising pressure under a S moderate wind, was tough; I’ll be working the deepest basin edges, hoping to tempt a reluctant muskie.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:58 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Back on Minnetonka, the 4.3 C water and rising pressure with a light NE wind meant a very slow day, so I switched to slower retrieves around sunken structure, trying to find any willing fish.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:00 AM and 4:52 PM. The Mississippi River showed some life today despite frigid 2.8 C water, with clear skies and steady pressure under a light S breeze, making me target sunny rock piles where fish might be warming up for a fair bite.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:53 AM and 4:59 PM. On Lake Minnetonka, with the south wind picking up and pressure dropping amidst light rain, we chased active pike in the shallows, hoping the 7.6 C water kept them on the chew.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:54 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. The Mississippi River felt sluggish today; with the pressure climbing and a moderate west wind, we probed current seams and eddies for any pike willing to hit in the 7.4 C flow, but they were tight-lipped.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. White Bear Lake was a grind; a steady pressure system with a persistent west wind and the water cooling to 6.3 C meant we had to work harder, focusing on points and drop-offs for hesitant pike.

Pressure is rising.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:57 AM and 4:55 PM. Prior Lake proved challenging as the pressure continued to climb and the water dropped to a chilly 5.2 C, forcing us to slow down our presentations and search deeper structure despite the overcast skies and a decent south breeze.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:58 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Lake Minnetonka was stingy with bites today, as the mercury plunged to 4.3 C and the pressure kept rising under a light northeast breeze, making us meticulously pick apart deep weed lines and warm pockets for any signs of life.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:00 AM and 4:52 PM. Despite the frigid 2.8 C water and clear skies on the Mississippi River, a steady pressure and gentle south wind encouraged us to probe deep wintering holes with slow-moving baits, coaxing a few respectable pike from their cold-water haunts.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (5:03 PM). On Lake Washington, the hard south wind and falling glass made for a choppy start, pushing baitfish into the wind-beaten shallows where a few active walleyes might be picked off with jigs and minnows.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Dawn (6:55 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (5:02 PM). Madison Lake was a tough bite with the moderate northwest breeze and rising air pushing the fish deeper, requiring slow presentations along the breaklines to coax a strike.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 5:01 PM. Working the slower pockets and current seams on the Minnesota River proved challenging in the cool 6-degree water and steady conditions, as the walleyes were holding tight to deeper structure.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 5:00 PM. Clear Lake offered a slow pick, with the cool five-degree water and increasing atmospheric weight keeping the fish glued to the bottom transitions, demanding patience and subtle jigging.

Pressure is rising.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:58 PM). The light northeast air on Lake Washington made for a truly sluggish bite in the frigid four-degree depths, with walleyes barely moving from their deep sanctuaries.

Light wind.

Dawn (7:01 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:57 PM). A bright sky and calm air on Madison Lake meant an incredibly cold 2-degree water column, pushing the walleyes into the deepest basin areas, requiring a meticulous vertical presentation to even tempt a look.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:54 AM and 5:03 PM. On Lake Washington, the hard south wind and falling air pressure made boat control a nightmare, but pitching a jig to wind-blown points still managed a few strikes in the cool 8.1 degree water despite the light rain.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:55 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Madison Lake was a grind today; with the air lifting and the water chilling to 6. 7 degrees under a gray sky, we had to crawl plastics along the deep weed edges just to coax a bite.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Slow largemouth bass fishing if you put in at Minnesota River. Fish the first break. If the first spot is quiet, move. Do not grind an empty piece of water. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:58 AM and 5:00 PM. Put in at Clear Lake for largemouth bass. The day rates slow. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:59 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. largemouth bass at Lake Washington: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:01 AM and 4:57 PM. Start at Madison Lake if largemouth bass is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:54 AM and 5:03 PM. A hard south blow on Lake Washington with a dropping barometer and light drizzle had me casting spoons near submerged structure, hoping for hungry pike in the 8.1 degree water.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:55 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Madison Lake was a tough bite with the rising pressure and moderate northwest wind, so I worked plastics slowly near deeper breaks where the 6.7 degree water might hold sluggish pike.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. The Minnesota River proved challenging with a steady reading on the gauge and swift current.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:58 AM and 5:00 PM. Put in at Clear Lake for northern pike. The day rates slow. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Dirty water after rain can turn the bite on in the shallows.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:59 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. northern pike at Lake Washington: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. If they short-strike, size down and slow the pause.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:01 AM and 4:57 PM. Start at Madison Lake if northern pike is the target. Fair day. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Figure-eight at the boat. A following pike often eats on the turn.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:54 AM and 5:03 PM. On Lake Washington, the hard south blow and falling glass kept us tucked into a protected bay, where a few crappies hit minnows despite the damp chill.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:55 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Madison Lake was stingy today; with the air clearing and pressure climbing, we couldn’t coax much action from the 6.7 degree water, even jigging the brush piles.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. The Minnesota River proved challenging; the steady air and continued drizzle didn’t help much, and the dropping water temperature had the crappies hunkered down in the deeper eddies.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:58 AM and 5:00 PM. Clear Lake was a tough nut to crack; the rising air pressure and chilling 5.8 degree water kept the bite lethargic, even when we probed the submerged timber.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:59 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Back on Lake Washington, the crappies were practically frozen solid; the continued pressure increase and frigid 4.7 degree water meant we had to painstakingly tickle them off the bottom near channel edges.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:01 AM and 4:57 PM. Despite a beautiful clear day on Madison Lake, the near-freezing 2.8 degree water had the crappies firmly locked down, making us work every single bait drop in the deepest holes.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (5:10 PM). The falling pressure and moderate southerly breeze on Lake Shetek had the walleye active, hitting jigs hard in the 8.4 degree Celsius water amidst the steady rain.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Dawn (7:03 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (5:09 PM). Despite the overcast skies, Dead Coon Lake was a real grind as the hard northwest wind and rising pressure put the walleye deep in the chilly 5.7 degree water.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 5:07 PM. On the Cottonwood River, the steady pressure and light rain did little to stir the sluggish walleye in the frigid 4.7 degree water, making for a slow pick.

Pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 5:06 PM. Lake Benton was a tough go, as the rising pressure and moderate northwest breeze had the walleye hugging the bottom in the 4.7 degree water under the dim skies.

Light wind.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (5:05 PM). With steady pressure and a gentle south wind, Lake Shetek yielded some decent fish as the 4 o’clock hour began.

Light wind.

Dawn (7:09 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (5:04 PM). Start at Dead Coon Lake if walleye is the target. Fair day. Fish points and inside turns. Give each spot twenty minutes, then leave. Cover water until one point loads up.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:02 AM and 5:10 PM. The falling pressure and moderate rain on Lake Shetek meant the pike were actively hitting, especially around weed edges in the 8.4-degree water.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:03 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. A hard northwest wind and rising pressure made Dead Coon Lake a tough go, with the 5.7-degree water keeping the pike hunkered down deep under the overcast skies.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. The steady pressure and 4. 7-degree water in the Cottonwood River meant a very cold swim.

Pressure is rising.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:06 AM and 5:06 PM. Put in at Lake Benton for northern pike. The day rates slow. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Follow the weedline rather than anchoring in one hole.

Light wind.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:07 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. northern pike at Lake Shetek: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. If they short-strike, size down and slow the pause.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:09 AM and 5:04 PM. Start at Dead Coon Lake if northern pike is the target. Fair day. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Figure-eight at the boat. A following pike often eats on the turn.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:02 AM and 5:10 PM. The falling glass and a moderate southerly breeze on Lake Shetek had me working the weed lines, expecting active perch despite the moderate rain.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:03 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. With the hard northwest wind whipping across Dead Coon Lake and the pressure on the rise, I focused on deeper holes, hoping to coax a bite from sluggish perch.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. The Cottonwood River presented a challenge with steady pressure and frigid 4.7C water, requiring a slow jigging approach near current breaks to tempt any interest.

Pressure is rising.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:06 AM and 5:06 PM. On Lake Benton, the rising air and a moderate northwest breeze meant probing the deeper contours, as the 4.7-degree water kept the perch tight-lipped under the overcast sky.

Light wind.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:07 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. With a light southerly breeze stirring Lake Shetek and steady conditions, I worked the subtle transitions in depth, hoping the slightly warmer 4.8-degree water would draw the perch out.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:09 AM and 5:04 PM. Despite the light south wind and steady conditions on Dead Coon Lake, the frigid 2.7-degree water meant presenting tiny jigs with extreme patience to entice a bite from the huddled schools.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:02 AM and 5:10 PM. That moderate rain and dropping pressure on Lake Shetek will likely push crappie deeper, so I’ll start jigging the steep drop-offs near submerged timber, hoping for an early afternoon bite.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:03 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. A tough northwest gale whipping across Dead Coon Lake with rising pressure and cold water means crappie will likely hug bottom structure, so I’ll work a slow retrieve around brush piles, trying to tempt a reluctant fish.

Enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. That steady pressure and frigid 4.7 C water in the Cottonwood River with a light rain will make those crappie lethargic, so I’ll try slow-drifting tiny jigs through deeper pockets, hoping to intercept a school.

Pressure is rising.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:06 AM and 5:06 PM. With the water still at 4.7 C on Lake Benton and a moderate northwest breeze, crappie will be hunkered down, so my best bet is to meticulously probe sunken trees with a minnow under a bobber, waiting for a subtle take.

Light wind.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:07 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. A slight warming to 4.8 C and a gentle south wind on Lake Shetek with steady pressure might bring the crappie out of the deep, so I’ll cast small plastics near weed edges, looking for any active feeders.

Light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:09 AM and 5:04 PM. The bitter 2.7 C water at Dead Coon Lake, even with a light south wind and steady pressure, means crappie are barely moving, so I’ll painstakingly vertical jig over the deepest known holes, expecting only a few bites.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:54 PM). On the Mississippi River, with a steady southeast breeze and the mercury dipping, we hit the current seams hard, hoping the falling pressure would trigger a bite in the relatively warm 8-degree water.

Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Dawn (6:46 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:53 PM). The Whitewater River was a tough go with barely a whisper of a west wind and stable conditions, forcing us to present jigs slowly in the deeper pools where the walleye might be hunkered down.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 4:52 PM. Lake Pepin’s cooling water at 6 degrees and a gentle west breeze suggested walleye might be moving shallower, so we worked the breaklines with plastics, betting on the dropping pressure to stir things up.

Pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:50 PM. A cat sat.

Pressure is rising.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:49 PM). walleye at Mississippi River: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish points and inside turns. Keep the bait near bottom on the break. They are not chasing far this week.

Light wind.

Dawn (6:51 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:48 PM). Start at Whitewater River if walleye is the target. Fair day. Fish points and inside turns. Give each spot twenty minutes, then leave. Cover water until one point loads up.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:54 PM). A fair day on the Mississippi River with falling pressure and 8.2 C water means I’d cast spinnerbaits into current breaks, expecting aggressive hits before the real cold sets in.

Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Dawn (6:46 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:53 PM). A slow day on Whitewater River calls for subtlety; pitching jigs to deeper bends might coax a bite with the light westerly wind and steady water temperature of 8.1 C.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 4:52 PM. Lake Pepin will be a grind today as the falling pressure and 6.4 C water mean I’ll be meticulously working Ned rigs along drop-offs, hoping to find a lethargic smallie.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:50 PM. The Root River’s 5.4 C water and rising pressure make for tough conditions, so I’ll be targeting deep holes and eddies with a slow-moving tube or jerkbait, hoping to tempt a hunkered-down bass.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is rising.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:49 PM). On the Mississippi River, with water dropping to 4.6 C and pressure climbing, the only viable approach is a finesse presentation in slack water behind wing dams, as the bite will be incredibly difficult.

Water is too cold for bass and light wind.

Dawn (6:51 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:48 PM). Whitewater River’s frigid 4.1 C water and steady pressure demand a meticulous approach; I’ll probe slow, deep pools using a tiny jig or dead-sticked worm, seeking out a truly reluctant smallmouth.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:44 AM and 4:54 PM. On Last Mountain Lake, despite the light rain and moderate southeast wind, that falling pressure and 8.2-degree water should have the channel cats nosing around the warmer, shallower flats, offering a fair bite before the snow or rain really sets in.

Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:46 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. The channel catfish were a bit reluctant on Lake Diefenbaker today; with the light westerly breeze and steady pressure keeping the 8. 1-degree water calm, and still.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Fair channel catfish fishing if you put in at Lake Pepin. Fish the first break. If the first spot is quiet, move. Do not grind an empty piece of water. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Pressure is rising.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:48 AM and 4:50 PM. Put in at Root River for channel catfish. The day rates slow. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:50 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. channel catfish at Mississippi River: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school.

Light wind.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Start at Whitewater River if channel catfish is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:44 AM and 4:54 PM. On the Mississippi River, with a moderate southeast wind and falling pressure pushing the water to a brisk 8.2 degrees, I’d target deeper current seams where sauger might be ambushing bait, despite the light rain.

Light wind and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:46 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Fishing the Whitewater River, a light west breeze and steady pressure often mean the sauger are sluggish in the 8. 1-degree water, so I’d work jigs slowly through the weeds.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Fair sauger fishing if you put in at Lake Pepin. Fish the first break. If the first spot is quiet, move. Do not grind an empty piece of water. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Pressure is rising.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 6:48 AM and 4:50 PM. Put in at Root River for sauger. The day rates slow. Fish the first break. Fish the windward side only if you can hold the boat. Otherwise take the lee. Runoff may dirty the inflows, so start off the mouth.

Pressure is rising.

No need to race the sun. Start near 6:50 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. sauger at Mississippi River: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish the first break. Give the spot time, then leave. Covering water finds the school.

Light wind.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Start at Whitewater River if sauger is the target. Fair day. Fish the first break. Once you contact fish, stay on that contour for the rest of the hour.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:56 PM). Despite the falling air and a moderate east breeze on Lake of the Woods, we found a fair bite in the 6.5 degree water, jigging through the moderate rain.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Dawn (7:08 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:54 PM). A slow bite greeted us on Rainy Lake as the air climbed with a moderate west wind, making the 5.3 degree water feel even colder under a light drizzle.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 4:52 PM. The Rainy River offered a slow pick, demanding patient presentations in the 5.2 degree current under an overcast sky with a steady south wind.

Pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:51 PM. Namakan Lake was a grind, with the air climbing and a moderate northeast blow chilling the already frigid 3.1 degree depths under thick skies.

Pressure is falling.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:49 PM). On Lake of the Woods, a fair number of fish were coaxed from the 2.5 degree water as the air dropped, despite only a light southeast breeze and scattered wisps above.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

Dawn (7:14 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:48 PM). Rainy Lake gave up barely a bite, with the 1.9 degree water feeling like ice under a clear, bright sky and a barely noticeable south air movement.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:07 AM and 4:56 PM. On Lake of the Woods, a falling glass and easterly breeze suggests pike will be on the hunt near wind-swept points, so work those 6.5 C shallows with aggressive presentations through the rain.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:08 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. With the glass climbing and a chill in the 5.3 C water on Rainy Lake, the pike will likely be sulking, so probe the deeper rock piles and structural changes with slower, more subtle offerings.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Slow northern pike fishing if you put in at Rainy River. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. A weed flat with a little wind on it is a better pike spot than a glassy bay.

Pressure is rising.

Use the first light at 7:11 AM, or the last hour before 4:51 PM. Put in at Namakan Lake for northern pike. The day rates slow. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Follow the weedline rather than anchoring in one hole.

Pressure is falling.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 7:13 AM or 4:49 PM. northern pike at Lake of the Woods: a fair day if you fish the right water. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. If they short-strike, size down and slow the pause.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:14 AM and 4:48 PM. Start at Rainy Lake if northern pike is the target. Poor day. Fish cabbage bays and reed edges. Figure-eight at the boat. A following pike often eats on the turn.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:56 PM). On Lake of the Woods, the falling glass and moderate east breeze, coupled with a steady drizzle and 6.5 degree water, made for a tough bite, best to target shallow rock piles near deeper breaks.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is rising.

Dawn (7:08 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:54 PM). Rainy Lake was a struggle today; despite the rising air pressure and a light westerly wind, the frigid 5. 3 degree water kept the smallmouth tight-lipped, requiring careful presentations on the warmest north shore.

Water is too cold for bass.

Skip the bright middle of the day. The bite is the hour around 4:52 PM. Poor smallmouth bass fishing if you put in at Rainy River. Fish rock points. If the point is empty, check the next rock pile before you go deep.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is rising.

If you get one window, take the one ending at 4:51 PM. Put in at Namakan Lake for smallmouth bass. The day rates poor. Fish rock points. Pause the bait on the rock. Cold smallmouth eat on the sit, not the hop.

Water is too cold for bass and pressure is falling.

Be on the spot for the last hour before sunset (4:49 PM). smallmouth bass at Lake of the Woods: a slow day if you fish the right water. Fish rock points. Stay tight to the bank early, then work out to the first drop.

Water is too cold for bass and light wind.

Dawn (7:14 AM) is the backup if you cannot stay for sunset (4:48 PM). Start at Rainy Lake if smallmouth bass is the target. Poor day. Fish rock points. One good rock point is enough. Do not race the whole shoreline.

Pressure is falling and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

Overcast lets you fish through the day, with a bump at 7:07 AM and 4:56 PM. On Lake of the Woods, with the easterly wind bringing moderate rain and the glass dropping, we worked the shallower breaks, hoping the falling conditions would spark a bite in the 6.5-degree water.

Pressure is rising and enough rain or snow to dirty inflows.

No need to race the sun. Start near 7:08 AM and stay as long as the sky stays grey. Rainy Lake proved stingy as the westerly breeze picked up with light rain and the gauge climbed, making the 5.3-degree water feel like a cold shoulder after the previous day’s pressure dip.

Steady weather, no strong push either way.

Cloud cover keeps the shallow bite alive past mid-morning. Drifting the Rainy River with a steady southerly wind under a blanket of gray, the 5.2-degree current offered little action, as the saugers seemed locked tight to the bottom despite stable conditions.

Pressure is rising.

Use the first light at 7:11 AM, or the last hour before 4:51 PM. Namakan Lake was particularly challenging, the biting northeast wind and climbing atmospheric readings making the frigid 3.1-degree water feel like an ice bath, with saugers showing no interest near structure.

Pressure is falling.

Midday is the slow stretch. Plan around 7:13 AM or 4:49 PM. Back on Lake of the Woods, a subtle southeast breeze and a falling indicator gave us a glimmer of hope, prompting us to jig the deeper contours, even though the 2.5-degree water was barely above freezing.

Water is near freezing and light wind.

The useful hours bookend the day: 7:14 AM and 4:48 PM. Rainy Lake capped off the week with clear skies and a gentle southerly air movement, but the frigid 1.9-degree water kept the sauger bite incredibly subtle, demanding finesse in the deeper holes under the unwavering sky.