Detroit Lakes Fishing Report (8/26/26)

Detroit Lakes Fishing Report: Extended Edition — 8/25/26

Same story as last week, and that's a good thing—the bite has stayed steady and the fish haven't moved. When the fish stay put, the difference between a slow day and a great one comes down to technique, so that's where we're going this week.

Bluegill are still stacked in 8'-12' above thick weeds, and crappies are right there with them along shallow weedlines, plus suspended next to deep bars and depressions. Walleyes remain a two-shift bite: deep during the day, and shallow weeds after sunset. The full moon is Friday. If you are serious about catching fish, grab your crankbaits and bug spray and troll at various depth above, inside, of outside of weeds and other structure

Crappies and walleyes both bite light some days, and light bites are where fish get lost. If you're feeling ticks that don't turn into hookups, run this sequence every time:

1. Loosen your grip on the pole. A death grip kills your sensitivity and makes you set too early.

2. Rock the bait back with slight pops. Keep doing it until it doesn't rock back the same way, or you feel a bite. That change in feel is the fish.

3. "Find the fish" by reeling until there's a slight bend in the rod. Don't set yet—you're just taking the slack out and confirming there's weight on the other end.

4. Set the hook with a flick of the wrist. This is almost surgical—you don't want to do it too hard. A big sweeping hookset pulls the bait right out of a light-biting fish's mouth.

5. Keep the rod bent and ride the lightning! Don't reel too fast, just keep a consistent bend on the rod.

Do that five times in a row and it becomes muscle memory. It works on crappies along the weedlines and on walleyes at both depths.

Both bass species are holding deep too, with smallies near deep bars and rock piles. The drop shot has been pulling up monster bass of both species. A leech gets it done, but plastics will elicit even bigger fish—if you've been getting numbers on live bait and want to size up, that's the switch to make.

The muskie bite is still above average, and they're chasing big plastics and bucktails—cast at weedlines for your best shot at a big one! I'd like to thank guide Andrew Slette, the former MN musky record holder, for contributing to today's report. If you're looking to catch a lunker, give him a call at 218-930-0074.

While we have some wind the next few days, there's stable weather ahead, and that's good

for fishing. Get out there while it lasts, and good luck!

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The bite is stable—your technique is the variable. Let's dial it in together! 

Text or call 218-325-6857 or book a trip online at baxstarfishing.com. Takes less than 5 minutes.