Best Places to Fish Walleye in Minnesota in the fall

Hi everyone-
My husband and I are planning a trip to Minnesota in the fall and are looking for good places to stay for fishing and hiking.
We’ll have 4 dogs with us, so spending days on large lake charter is probably not practical. Looking for smaller lakes where we could shore fish, or maybe rent a boat that we could take the dogs with us.
I am leaning towards Lake of the Woods or Benidji area- but any advice much appreciated!
Thank you –
Pascale Jones

Lake of the Woods would be high on my list. Maybe you can find charters that will take your dogs. It won’t hurt to check.

Rainy Lake never disappoints.

Thank you!
We are super excited about this trip.:)
Pascale

it is going to be tough fishing for eyes without a boat. if you are dead set taking your dogs and I completely understand, i would look at a VRBO in the Alexandria area or up in Detroit lakes as well as north of Duluth. lots of small lakes with all sorts of species. you might get lucky and get them from shore of your rental at low light?
otherwise Mille lacs and LOW are your walleye lakes that run charters to the fishing grounds. I wouldn’t rule out renting a place on the Rainy river if you can find one? RR can be amazing during the fall for huge eyes but all my experience is anchoring up in the river. you wouldn’t need a big boat to fish the RR either. just buzz out a couple hundred yards and anchor up.

Thank you Eyeguy!
Yeah-the dogs are part of the family so they are going with.
Lots of great advice though-
much appreciated-
Pascale

Fall walleyes and shore fishing don’t really go together, same with shore fishing and lake of the woods, unless you are trying to shore fish the rainy river, maybe?
You need a boat to successfully target them on big and small lakes in the fall IMO. Maybe do a half day guide trip and kennel the dogs in the cabin?

My dogs are family so I understand, but sometimes they gotta stay back at the cabin.

Thanks 10kLakes!
Great advice and yes- they could certainly stay in the cabin for an afternoon.
We also have kennels set up in our Sprinter Van, so if it’s cool enough they can stay in the Van. Our trip is scheduled for October- we have never been to Minnesota so gathering as much information as we can.
Thanks-
Pascale

Give me a call. Might be able to help you out.

800-495-5826
Vacationland Resort – Otter Tail Lake,MN

Pascale Jones wrote:

Thanks 10kLakes!
Great advice and yes- they could certainly stay in the cabin for an afternoon.
We also have kennels set up in our Sprinter Van, so if it’s cool enough they can stay in the Van. Our trip is scheduled for October- we have never been to Minnesota so gathering as much information as we can.
Thanks-
Pascale

October you won’t need to worry about keeping cool. it will be anywhere from 20 to 60 degrees average. expect snow but bring shorts? let us know what you decide and i am sure many of us here can help you out.

Pascale Jones wrote:

October you won’t need to worry about keeping cool. it will be anywhere from 20 to 60 degrees average. expect snow but bring shorts? let us know what you decide and i am sure many of us here can help you out.

Don’t think I could’ve said it better myself, but I’ll try, lol:

Don’t forget your snowshoes, and remember to bring your swimwear!

Devils Lake is the shore fishing capital. Shore fish around the bridges in the fall.

Find a place in the Ottertail County area that’s on or right near the river. There’s plenty of opportunity for shore fishing, and some of my best walleyes come in the fall drifting a bobber down the current with a jig and minnow. Its easy and a fun way to explore the area. That Trev guy can probably help narrow it down. As for weather well, yeah it will either be really cold, or cool, or maybe really hot.

hahaha! Duly noted and we will come prepared for all kinds of weather.
Thanks-
Pascale

Thank you!
I have a lot of planning to do but lots of good advice.
Pascale

I have had great luck shore fishing in the fall for walleyes. But it was between 10 pm and 6 am. A boat helps a lot if you are trying to target them during the day.
The colors in the north woods in October is beautiful.