Dan, My son and I are going walleye fishing the first week of September. We live in the Twin Cities, but want to go to what you consider to be one of the top walleye lakes for that time of year. We want to stay in Minnesota, but location within the state is not all that important. Also, if I want to go towards the BWCA, what lake is attractive that time of year? Last, what is the best bait or lure for walleyes in September? Thanks Bob

Minnesota walleye fishing is quite popular during September in Minnesota. I would recommend Lake Superior for some September walleye fishing. However, a new lake in the news is Bear Lake Island by Ely, Minnesota. This is going to be the best place to catch some nice sized walleyes. You can access the lake from the southwest shore or by the northeast corner of the lake. The lake is clear, so you should go at dawn or at dusk. An overcast day would be great. Find out from a local where the baitfish are for that given day and you will have your starting point for fishing walleye. If the baitfish is in the shallows, then that is where you are going to find the walleye. The walleye are in the shallows even with the bright light if that is where the baitfish are hiding. Look in water about fifteen feet deep if the sun is bright otherwise. Get a fishing map of the lake to see where the humps and points are located. The best bait to use is a night crawler or a minnow on a jighead, slip bobber rig or a spinner bait. You will have more luck with the jighead and a minnow. The size of the minnow should be large, since the walleye are starting to eat large fish and feed more before winter. September is a great time to fish because they are hungry and eat anything offered, but I still find the jighead and minnow a sure bet.