Fishing Report

Find out where fish are biting and bait to use in the area fishing report each week. Get Hooked in Detroit Lakes will give you an inside look from fishing guides on which area lakes are best bets for the fish you’re out to catch and the bonus experiences of being out on the water.

This is the area fishing report for Wednesday, August 19, 2026 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

Late August is treating anglers well in the 412, and there’s a little something for everybody right now. The crappie bite remains strong in and near shallow weedlines—both near shore and mid lake—and suspended adjacent to deep bars. Bluegill are slamming plastics in 8’-10’, above thick weeds. The walleye bite is picking up—finally!! It’s a classic summer bite: as deep as 28’ during the day, and in the thick of shallow weeds at night. Trust your electronics to find them during the day, and fish your favorite weedlines at sunset and beyond. Largemouth bass keep sliding deeper, and the smallmouth bite is underway—deep, too. The muskie bite has been very good lately, with many caught on shallow flats that transition from weeds to sand and rock. Summer’s slipping away, so take the time if you’ve got it. Thanks for reading, and good luck!

Brady Baxter
Owner and Fishing Guide
Baxstar Fishing LLC
baxstarfishing.com
brady@baxstarfishing.com
701-261-3703