Walleye action improves as water temps begin to climb

BIG SIX

LAKE MILLE LACS

East – The north-end sand is kicking out a lot of walleyes
in 12 to 14 feet of water. Long, live bait rigs or slip bobbers
with leeches have been most productive. The shallow rocks on the
east end continue to hold walleyes during the evening hours. The
midday bite also is worth noting on mid- depth rocks that lie in 15
to 20 feet of water. The top of Three Mile Reef, the outer edges of
the Three Mile, and Lakeside Reef all have been productive this
week.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

www.johnsonsportside.com

West – The walleye bite is much better than a week ago
with limits being taken in St. Alban’s Bay. Drifting Lindy rigs
with rainbow minnows or leeches in 14 to 20 feet of water has been
best. The edges of the mud flats continue to give up more fish than
expected in 23 to 28 feet of water. Sherman’s Flat and Curley Flat
have been especially good this week. The evening bite is still best
off Pike Point, Seguchie Point, and Brown’s Point with slip bobbers
and leeches.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

Tutt’s Bait & Tackle (320) 692-4341

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Catching numbers of walleyes along the shore has been
relatively easy this week with a jig and minnow combination. Four
Mile Bay, the Lighthouse Gap, Pine Island area, and Morris Point
Gap have all provided a steady walleye bite. At the Northwest
Angle, Shad Raps have turned the majority of fish in two to eight
feet of water.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau

(800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE AREA

Jig and shiner minnow combinations are turning walleyes
near Star Point and Pine Point in 12 feet of water on Leech Lake.
Jigging also has been productive during the evening hours off the
points in Walker Bay in 12 to 15 feet of water. Crappie action
remains strong in the shallows of Shingobee Bay and the north end
of Kabekona Bay. On Garfield Lake, walleyes are hitting jigs tipped
with minnows in eight to 12 feet of water.

Walker Bait Company (218) 547-2248

LAKE MINNETONKA

Walleye reports continue to be limited, but the crappie
and northern pike action have been very good in 10 to 14 feet of
water. Look for bigger crappies in the milfoil, while the majority
of pike are cruising the milfoil edges. Sunfish are an easy catch
in six feet of water throughout the lake, and the bass opener is
expected to be excellent with plenty of fish to be had in shallow
water.

Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE

The deeper breaks near the island in Sand Bay are
producing limits of walleyes on a jig and minnow. Work toward the
falls in the Rainy River and you should find plenty of walleyes as
well. Black Bay and Jackfish Bay are providing consistent evening
walleye action in less than 10 feet of water. Black Bay also is the
best be

t for crappies in six to 10 feet of water.

Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

Walleyes continue to be caught off the wind-driven points
and Highbanks area. Jigs tipped with shiner minnows are the best
bet in six to 10 feet of water. Numerous walleyes between 14 and 16
inches have been reported with the occasional walleye over 20
inches in the mix. Stoney Point is producing a few good-sized perch
in 10 feet of water.

Pines Resort and Campground (218) 246-8546

Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO

There’s some decent evening walleye action taking
place with minnows on Clear Lake and Bald Eagle Lake in 12 to 15
feet of water. Sucker minnows are fooling northern pike along the
weed edges of Forest Lake and Centerville Lake. Crappie action
remains consistent on Lake Peltier, White Bear Lake, and Vadnais
Lake along the 10-foot weeds.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651)
777-2421

SOUTHWEST METRO

Sunfish and crappies remain active in shallow water
near the access on Lake Auburn and the northeast end of Lake
Minnewashta. Smaller walleyes are coming off Lake Susan, straight
out from the access, in eight to 10 feet of water. Fish the
wind-driven weed edges of Parley Lake with Shad Raps or live bait
rigs and leeches for walleyes as well, and try the east side of
Lake Zumbra for northern pike.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA

Walleyes are most active during the evening hours in
eight feet of water. Shad Raps have worked best with slip bobbers
and fathead minnows also turning a few fish. Work the Rock Dock,
Pillsbury Reef, and the east side of Reinke’s Bay up to the carp
trap. Numbers of crappies are being pulled off the docks in three
to five feet of water with small minnows. Northern pike in the 3-
to 5-pound class can be caught with spoons along the weed
edges.

Mases In Towne Marina (952)
442-2096

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA

Jigs and minnows continue to produce walleyes
on Oscar Lake and Lake Mary in eight to 14 feet of water. Crawlers
and leeches are just starting to turn walleyes; look to lakes such
as Miltona and Ida for walleyes if water temperatures continue to
climb. Crappies have begun moving to their spawning areas on many
lakes, so look shallow with minnows and Flu
Flus.

Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320)
763-3255

ANNANDALE AREA

The bars on Cedar Lake have produced a few big
walleyes this week. Fathead minnows or leeches continue to turn
walleyes on Clearwater Lake in 15 to 20 feet of water. Look to the
breaks on Lake Sylvia and Pleasant Lake to start kicking out
walleyes very soon. Crappie action is very good along the 4-foot
sand and bulrush areas of Lake John, Sugar Lake, Pleasant Lake, and
Lake Sylvia.

Little Jim’s Bait (320)
274-5297

BATTLE LAKE

Shiner minnows remain the ticket for walleyes
on Otter Tail Lake and West Battle Lake in 15 to 20 feet of water.
You’ll find plenty of crappies in three to six feet of water on
Clitherall Lake, Dead Lake, and West Battle. Minnows are producing
numbers of northern pike throughout the area in 12 to 15 feet of
water.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218)
864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA

Jigs tipped with minnows are fooling walleyes
in six to nine feet of water on Lake Bemidji. Jigs also have been
the ticket for walleyes on Wolf Lake in less than 10 feet of water.
Panfish action is slow, but lakes such as Irvine and Bemidji can be
counted on for northern pike in eight to 10 feet of
water.

Kobilka’s Sporting Goods (218)
751-6000

BLACKDUCK AREA

Live bait rigs tipped with leeches, crawlers,
or shiner minnows are producing walleyes on Blackduck Lake during
the evening hours in 12 to 14 feet of water. Pimushe Lake started
kicking out walleyes this week as well. Panfish have moved shallow
and started biting well on Gilstead Lake and Rabideau
Lake.

Timberline Sports and Tackle (218)
835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Shiner minnows remain the best bet for
walleyes on Round Lake, Pelican Lake, and North Long Lake. You’ll
find plenty of active walleyes on Gull Lake as well, but most have
been small. During midday hours, the best bite is taking place in
17 to 35 feet of water, but you’ll catch walleyes as shallow as
five feet after sunset. Spinner rigs and a 4-inch sucker minnow are
turning numbers of northern pike on Upper Gull Lake. Crappies
continue to be caught in the shallows of Upper Gull and Merrifield
Bay on North Long.

S & W Bait & Tackle (218)
829-7010

CASS LAKE AREA

The north-end flats on Cass Lake are producing
walleyes throughout the day in 22 to 30 feet of water. The west
shore of Lake Andrusia in 18 to 20 feet and the north side of
Kitchi Lake in six to eight feet of water also are safe bets for
walleyes. Jumbo perch have started cruising the shallows on Cass
Lake. A small minnow and a jig under a slip bobber is working best.
Look for northern pike in Allen’s Bay on Cass and along the weeds
of Grace Lake. Look to Big Lake for
panfish.

Sunset Cove Resort (800)
279-4831

CHISAGO AREA

Walleyes remain active on North Center Lake,
South Center Lake, and South Lindstrom Lake. During the day, most
fish are coming from 12 to 18 feet of water, but they are more
active in shallow water during low-light periods. Panfish are
clinging to the shallow docks on all area lakes, and anglers are
seeing bass in the shallows as well. Big Rapalas or sucker minnows
are turning northern pike in eight feet of water on Sunrise
Lake.

Frankie’s Bait (651)
257-6334

CROSBY AREA

Rainbow trout can be had on small Rapalas or
Power Bait in the Pennington Pit, Portsmouth Pit, and Manuel Pit.
Rabbit Lake is kicking out walleyes in 20 to 28 feet of water as is
the Mississippi River in shallower depths. Look in three to eight
feet of water for crappies on Black Hoof Lake, Mission Lake, and
Serpent Lake. Spoons and spinnerbaits will produce numbers of
northern pike on most lakes.

Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218)
546-6912

CROSS LAKE AREA

Some walleyes are being caught in 18 to 24
feet of water on Pelican Lake and Upper Whitefish Lake. Jigs and
shiner minnows or Lindy Rigs and leeches have worked best. Northern
pike have become active in the shallows on area lakes. Try JB Hot
Flash Steel spinners and large pike minnows. Crappie action remains
good although the fish are coming from slightly deeper water this
week.

Crosslake Holiday Sports (218)
692-2708

DULUTH AREA

Look for walleyes on Fish Lake in eight to 10
feet of water. On Island Lake and Boulder Lake you’ll find walleyes
hitting chubs in 10 to 12 feet of water. If the wind isn’t blowing,
you’ll catch lake trout and salmon near the surface on Lake
Superior. The Wisconsin side has been most productive with plugs
and spoons working best in the top 30 feet of the water
column.

Chalstrom’s Bait (218)
726-0094

EAST-CENTRAL MINN

Walleyes continue to be caught on Green Lake
in 11 to 18 feet of water. Blue Lake also is producing walleyes on
fathead minnows and crawlers in seven feet of water. The shallow
crappie bite remains strong on Fremont Lake and Elk
Lake.

Tails and Trails Sport Shop (763)
856-3985

FAIRMONT AREA

Limits of keepers and numbers of big walleyes
are being caught on Rapalas or shiner minnows in shallow water on
Hall Lake and Budd Lake. The evening bite has been “unbelievably
good” on both lakes. Crappie action is going very well at the
filtration plant on Budd Lake and the power plant on George Lake.
Bluegill action is slow, but Hall Lake continues to kick out
northern pike.

Master Sport and Bait (507)
235-5225

FARIBAULT AREA

Cannon Lake is kicking out walleyes in four to
six feet of water. Rapalas have worked best in the evenings, while
leeches remain the ticket during the day. The 10- to 12-foot weed
edges on Cedar Lake are giving up walleyes on slip bobbers and
leeches. The panfish bite really picked up this week on most lakes,
but the shallows of Mazaska, Roberds, and Shields have been
especially noteworthy for crappies.

Lake’s Bait and Tackle (507)
334-2768

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake started producing
walleyes on jigs and shiners in eight to 12 feet of water. There
are a few walleyes coming off the north end of Bowstring Lake in
eight to 10 feet and off Lake Wabana as well. Fish the weed edges
of Balsam Lake and Spider Lake with spinners and minnows for pike.
The only local panfish reports are coming off the Mississippi River
where a few bluegills and crappies can be
had.

Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218)
326-8281

Rapids Tackle (218)
326-9838

HACKENSACK AREA

Crawlers and live bait rigs or a jig and
minnow are producing walleyes in 10 to 14 feet of water on several
area lakes. Look for the most consistent activity during the
evening hours on lakes such as Birch, Pine Mountain, Ten Mile, and
Pleasant. Crappies have moved shallow and started biting on Birch
Lake and Ten Mile Lake.

Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218)
675-6176

HUTCHINSON

After the sun sets, there’s a good walleye
bite with Shad Raps along the weed edges of Lake Jennie. Minnows
and leeches are still producing walleyes on Belle Lake in 14 feet,
Lake Minnie Belle in 14 to 18 feet, and at the river mouth on Big
Swan Lake. Panfish and northern pike have been tough to
find.

The Outpost (320)
587-8177

LAKE KABETOGAMA

The windy sides of most reefs and islands have
produced walleyes in 30 to 38 feet of water on jigs and minnows.
Numbers of walleyes over the 17-inch slot have been caught in
shallow water, after dark. Crappies have yet to show up in shallow
water, but smallmouth bass have. Work the weed edges scattered
throughout lake and you should have no problem catching
pike.

Gateway Store (218)
875-2121

www.gatewaygeneral.com

LAKE OSAKIS

Slip bobbers and shiner minnows or leeches are
producing walleyes during low-light periods of the day. Look to
Moon Bar and Johnson’s Bar in 15 to 30 feet of water and off
Miller’s Point in 12 to 15 feet of water. Northern pike are biting
throughout the lake, while the shallow water off Miller’s Point is
worth noting for crappies.

Fisherman’s Corner (320)
859-2181

LAKE VERMILION

Vertical fishing with a jig and minnow has
been the ticket for walleyes on the west side of the lake in 30 to
40 feet of water. There are a few walleyes hitting crankbaits
during the evening hours in shallower water. The key is to work the
windswept shores. There’s also some evening action with slip
bobbers on the rock humps. Crappies have moved into the traditional
shallow bays, but you need to finesse them in about two feet of
water. Northern pike and bass have been caught by anglers fishing
in the mid-teen depths at a decent pace.

Lake Vermilion Trading
Company

(218) 666-6052

lakevermiliontradingco.com

MANKATO AREA

Live bait rigs tipped with crawlers or leeches
are producing walleyes along the 12- to 32-foot breaks in Baker’s
Bay on Lake Washington. Spinners and crawlers are fooling walleyes
on the weed edges of Lura Lake, and you’ll hook fish with jigs in
the weeds. Look for sunfish in two feet of water in Mud Bay on Lake
Washington, and the shallows of Crystal Lake are holding crappies.
Large sucker minnows have started turning catfish on the Minnesota
River.

The Bobber Shop (507)
625-8228

McGREGOR AREA

The Prairie River and Big Sandy Flowage have
been the most consistent spots for walleyes. A jig and minnow or
live bait rig and leech is the way to go. The shallow shoreline
areas of Round Lake and Aitkin Lake are safe bets for crappies.
Work the weed edges with spoons or minnows on Lake Minnewawa and
you’ll catch northern pike.

Willey’s Sport Shop (218)
426-3382

MONTICELLO AREA

Walleye action continues to improve on the
Mississippi River. The smallmouth bass bite also should be good on
the river this weekend. Buffalo Lake and Locke Lake are giving up a
few walleyes in 12 to 14 feet of water. Look to the Briggs Lake
Chain for panfish in shallow water.

Shuman’s Outdoor Sports (763)
295-3222

ORTONVILLE AREA

The areas above and below the dam on the
Minnesota River at Odessa continue to provide steady walleye
action. The Corral Bridge area is another spot worth noting on the
river. Shad Raps or jigs and Twister Tails have been most
productive. Lake Lac Qui Parle is producing walleyes at a variety
of depths. Work the islands area on the south end of Big Stone Lake
for walleyes during the evening hours. Crankbaits or slip bobbers
and leeches are working best.

Bud’s Bait (320)
839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Shiner minnows and jigs are turning walleyes
in nine to 14 feet of water on Big Sand Lake. Northern pike are
hitting sucker minnows in 10 to 12 feet of water on Fish Hook Lake.
The area crappie bite comes and goes with the weather conditions,
although the pencil reeds on Lake Belle Taine seem to be holding a
fair number of fish.

Delaney’s (218)
732-4281

RED LAKE

Crappie action is still very good throughout
the lake. The only problem here has been the wind. If it’s calm,
look for bigger schools of fish to be shoreline-related in six to
10 feet of water.

Rogers Campground (218)
647-8262

RED WING AREA

Three-way rigs and crankbaits or a live bait
rig and leech/crawler combination are producing walleyes on the
Mississippi River. Better areas this week have been Hidden Rock
Flat and Head of the Lakes area in 15 to 18 feet of water. Catfish
also are active in some areas of the
river.

Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651)
388-2111

ST. CLOUD AREA

The channel and bridge areas of the Sauk River
are worth noting for walleyes. Shad Raps continue to produce the
majority of fish. Shad raps also are turning walleyes on Lake
Koronis in six to 10 feet of water. The midday bite on Koronis is
taking place in slightly deeper water. On Rice Lake, you’ll hook
walleyes on slip bobbers and leeches in 12 to 15 feet of water.
Look to Grand Lake and Pearl Lake for northern pike in 12 to 16
feet of water. Horseshoe Lake, Long Lake, and East Lake continue to
produce panfish in two to six feet of
water.

Corky’s Gas & Bait (320)
251-1567

SAUK CENTRE AREA

There’s a good crappie bite in three to eight
feet of water on Sauk Lake. These fish are scattered throughout the
entire lake and are active. Fairy Lake, East Long Lake, and Sauk
are safe bets for sunfish in shallow water. Large sucker minnows
are turning northern pike on Sauk Lake. Just work the traditional
weedline areas. The inlet on Guerney Lake is producing walleyes, as
is Big Swan Lake in 12 to 15 feet of
water.

Fletcher’s Bait (320)
352-2155

STARBUCK AREA

The west side of Lake Reno is producing
walleyes on jigs and fathead minnows in 12 to 15 feet of water.
Anglers fishing from shore on Lake Emily are catching walleyes with
shiner minnows and floating jigs. On Lake Minnewaska, leeches or
shiner minnows on spinner rigs have been best for walleyes in 18 to
20 feet of water off the points. Panfish continue to be
active.

Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320)
239-2239

WILLMAR AREA

As water temperatures continue to climb, the
walleye bite improves. Green Lake is kicking out walleyes in 30
feet of water during the evening hours. Nest Lake, Solomon Lake,
Norway Lake, Ringo Lake, and Diamond Lake all have provided steady
walleye action in nine to 15 feet of water. Leeches, crankbaits,
and crawlers have begun to turn a few more fish than minnows. The
panfish bite on these same lakes also is good in three to nine feet
of water.

Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320)
235-4097