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FeedNorth Central Minnesota Fishing Report - July 27th, 2012
LAKE MILLE LACS
The bite has slowed a bit, but big walleyes continue to be caught on the main-lake flats and deep gravel with crankbaits or live-bait rigs. The night bite also is worth checking with slip bobbers and leeches on the deeper rocks or deep water off the mud flats. Smallmouth bass remain an easy catch on the rocks and northern pike are set up along the weedlines of most bays and hitting crankbaits.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
www.johnsonsportside.com
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
www.terrysboatharbor.com
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Trolling crankbaits with downriggers, leadcore, or three-way rigs on the deep water throughout the main-lake basin has produced excellent walleye action. Pulling a crawler and spinner around the reefs and structure also has produced limits of walleyes. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes are being caught on the reefs around McDonell Island, the flats west of Crowduck Island, and structure around Hay Island, Four Blocks, and Little Oak Island. Muskie action has been best during the evening hours with topwater baits or Double CowGirls.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau
(800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE
Bigger walleyes are being found on the 25- to 30-foot humps in Walker Bay with more eaters being caught on Shad Raps off Sand Point, Breezy Point, and Agency Narrows in 10 to 14 feet. Crawlers are triggering walleyes in Traders Bay in 12 to 15 feet and the main-lake structure around the reefs such as Annex, Mokey, Huddles. You’ll find bass in any dense cover or rice areas of most bays and the best muskie reports this week are coming off the rocks and points.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
RAINY LAKE
You need to fish early and late in the day for walleyes in 25 to 30 feet. Crawlers and leeches are producing most fish in Brown’s Bay, Sand Bay, the Brule area, and Eight Mile area. Smallmouth bass are active on the shoreline breaks, reefs, and rock areas with live bait or crankbaits producing fish. Northern pike remain active in Sand Bay, but most continue to be small.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Walleye reports continue to be spotty with some fish coming off the bars and humps in 16 to 24 feet. Anglers covering water with crankbaits or live- bait rigs are picking off better numbers of fish. Northern pike action is slow and the best perch reports are coming on the 10- to 15-foot breaks and rocks.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
BEMIDJI AREA
Look for walleyes to hit crawlers or leeches in 15 to 25 feet off Diamond Point and the north end of Lake Bemidji. Lake Plantagenet is producing a few walleyes via crawlers in 20 to 24 feet. The deep weedlines of lakes Hattie, Beltrami, and Little Turtle are producing bluegills. Muskies have become more aggressive, hitting topwater baits or bucktails during low-light periods on Bemidji, Big Lake, and Wolf Lake.
Bluewater Outdoors
(218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Walleyes have bitten best during low-light periods or during windy conditions on Gull Lake in 16 to 18 feet on crawlers, leeches, and chubs. Look for bass on the 10- to 16-foot weedlines of North Long Lake, Pelican Lake, and Lake Edwards. Big sucker minnows are the ticket for northern pike in 14 feet on the south end of Gull, and sunfish are being found in the deep weed pockets of most small lakes.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010
CROSBY AREA
Lindy rigs and crawlers are turning walleyes in 16 to 18 feet during the morning hours on Farm Island Lake. Largemouth bass have been crushing topwater baits in the lilly pads of Black Lake and Lower Mission Lake. Northern pike action remains hot along the weedlines of Serpent Lake and West Rabbit Lake. Hit Little Rabbit and the backwaters of the Mississippi River for panfish, while smallmouth bass and pike are being caught in the flooded timber of the Pennington Chain.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
Leeches are working best for walleyes in 16 to 35 feet on Lake Pokegama, on the weedlines of Lake Wabana, and on Trout Lake in 14 to 25 feet during the day, or in seven to 10 feet during the evening hours. Downrigger fishing has produced good numbers of lake trout 20 to 40 feet down on Pokegama and Pit Lake, while the deep weedlines of Pokegama and Big Splithand are producing northern pike. Muskie action has picked up on Deer Lake and North Star Lake on BullDawgs, and crappies are hitting during low-light periods along the weedlines of Pokegama, Big Splithand, Little Splithand Lake, and Rice Lake. Smallmouth bass reports have been excellent from the Mississippi River, Big Turtle Lake, Pokegama, and North Star.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
You have to cover a lot of water, but spinners and crawlers are turning walleyes on Woman Lake in 20 to 22 feet. On Ten Mile Lake, trolling crankbaits in the middle of the lake in 20 to 30 feet has produced walleyes at night. Muskie anglers are raising fish with jerkbaits on area lakes, while bluegills continue to hit along the weedlines of Birch Lake and Pleasant Lake. Look for suspended crappies over 22 feet of water during the day or along the weedlines during low-light periods on Birch, Webb Lake, and Ten Mile. Largemouth bass are hitting under the shaded areas of most lakes, and smallmouths are being found on the 15- to 20-foot rocks of Woman, Ten Mile, and Baby Lake.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
RED LAKE
Despite the hot weather and reduced fishing pressure, walleye reports remain favorable. Most walleyes are being taken on spinners and live bait or crankbaits in four to seven feet. Walleyes also have been caught in 14 feet near the bigger rock humps. Anglers targeting northern pike are doing best in three to six feet with spoons, minnows, or crankbaits.
Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128
SAUK CENTRE AREA
You’ll find sunfish along the weedlines of lakes such as Maple, Big Birch, Smith, and Long Bridge or on the north-end bars and rocks of Lake Osakis in 12 to 18 feet. Hit the weed tops and weed edges of Long Bridge, Maple, Lady Lake, and Big Sauk Lake for crappies. Leeches are producing walleyes during low-light periods on the breaks of Osakis and the east shore of Big Sauk in eight to 16 feet. Tiger leeches are working best for walleyes in eight feet on McCormick Lake.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155
