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 Tuesday, January 27, 2026 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

While walleye fishing tends to get tough this time of year, my customers caught the biggest walleyes of the season this past weekend on Little Detroit Lake. The crappie bite was solid, too as it continues to grow to include daylight hours, which is great news! 

Waxies continue to catch panfish but medium-sized fathead minnows are a great choice for both crappies and ‘eyes.  Plus, that particular size of minnow “weeds out” the smaller crappies and bluegills.  

While the fish are biting, it is a very light bite, so you will miss countless opportunities if your gear is too heavy. Rod in hand is always the best option but also consider replacing rattle reel lines with deadsticks lines on baitfeeder reels. 5 lb line works well for panfish and walleye, but two deadsticks with 4 lb and 6 lb is even better! 

On lakes other than Little Detroit Lake, search deeper as the year progresses, 20’-25’ for walleye and 20’-60’ for suspended crappies.

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