Panfish and walleyes move deep, less active during midday

BIG SIX

LAKE MILLE LACS

East – A significant mayfly hatch has slowed the walleye
action this week. The day bite seems to be most affected, although
the mud flats continue to produce some fish in 28 to 32 feet of
water. Spinners or long live bait rigs are the best options with
leeches or crawlers. The evening rock bite is still the best option
for consistently putting numbers of fish in the boat. Slip bobbers
and leeches have turned fish off Big Point and Shaw’s Reef in 12 to
14 feet of water. Smallmouth bass can be had under docks and on the
rocks. Look for muskies on the weedlines located near the mouths of
the bays.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

www.johnsonsportside.com

West – The night bite is still productive with slip
bobbers and leeches on the mud in 28 to 34 feet of water. During
the day, the mud also is a safe bet, but covering a lot of water
with spinner rigs and rainbow minnows or nightcrawlers has produced
more fish. Northern pike action has improved as large sucker
minnows started producing fish on the weed edges of Garrison Bay,
Wigwam Bay, and St. Alban’s Bay. A few muskies have been mixed in
with the pike. Smallmouth bass are biting well on the
rocks.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

Tutt’s Bait & Tackle (320) 692-4341

LAKE OF THE WOODS

A spinner rig and nightcrawler is still producing the
majority of walleyes along the south shore in 24 to 26 feet of
water. The Pine Island area and Gap have provided the most
consistent activity throughout the day. The weed edges in most bays
are now providing a steady northern pike bite. Crankbaits or large
sucker minnows are producing bigger pike. Spinners and crawlers
still are producing plenty of walleyes at the Northwest Angle.
Better areas this week have been Garden Island and Knight Island in
20 to 28 feet of water.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau

(800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE

There’s been some decent evening walleye action off the
points in 10 to 14 feet of water with crankbaits or a slip bobber
and leech. The day bite has been more difficult, although covering
a lot of water with spinner rigs and crawlers has produced some
fish in 20 to 28 feet of water on the main lake and in Walker Bay.
Look to Shingobee Bay in 10 to 12 feet of water for bluegills, and
the rice beds are a safe bet for largemouth bass. The cabbage beds
in Walker Bay remain the best bet for muskies.

Walker Bait Company (218) 547-2248

LAKE MINNETONKA

A spinner and sucker minnow is a safe bet for northern
pike along the 15- to 18-foot weed edges. Walleye action remains
slow, but muskie anglers are starting to see more fish along the
weed edges. Sunfish and largemouth bass are biting very well on the
inside and outside weed edges. An occasional school of crappies is
found on top of the milfoil patches in 12 to 16 feet of
water.

Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE

A jig and minnow combination still is producing walleyes
at the Reinier area in 18 to 20 feet of water. The main lake reefs
such as Shorty’s Reef and near the Cranberry Island started kicking
out fish this week with crawlers and leeches. Early and late in the
day, leeches continue to turn walleyes in 10 to 12 feet of water in
Lost Bay and Saginaw Bay. The International Falls dam is a safe bet
for walleyes and it’s probably the best bet for smallmouth bass as
well.

Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

A mayfly hatch earlier this week slowed the walleye bite
in many areas. The humps and bars remain the best option in 20 to
24 feet of water with live bait rigs and leeches or nightcrawlers.
Bena Bar, Big Muskie Bar, and Little Muskie Bar are worth checking
out. Perch reports have been limited in recent days, but northern
pike seem to be active on the bars and along most weed
edges.

Pines Resort and Campground (218) 246-8546

Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

TWIN CITIES METRO

NORTHEAST METRO

The St. Croix River is producing walleyes early and
late in the day on Lindy Rigs and minnows. Most of the good reports
are coming from Prescott to Afton in 15 to 20 feet of water.
Crankbaits are turning a few walleyes on Bald Eagle Lake and Clear
Lake in 10 to 12 feet of water. Look for northern pike along the
weed edges of Forest Lake, Demonterville Lake, and Beaver Lake. The
deep weedlines of White Bear Lake are a safe bet for crappies and
sunfish.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651)
777-2421

SOUTHWEST METRO

The Jordan area of the Minnesota River started
producing quite a few flathead and channel catfish. Crawlers have
worked best for the channels, while sucker minnows are turning the
bigger flatheads. Bass continue to be caught on Lake Minnewashta on
topwater baits early and late in the day and Carolina rigs are the
best bet during midday on the 10- to 12-foot weedlines. On Lake
Bavaria, look for largemouth bass on the sharp breaks of the north
shore. Northern pike have yet to get real active, although small
fish are biting on the weed edges of Lake Auburn. You’ll find
crappies on the east side of Steiger Lake and at the rock point on
the southeast end of Lake Parley.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA

A few walleyes continue to be caught during the
evening hours on leeches and crawlers in 12 to 14 feet of water.
Look to Kegg’s Reef and Anderson’s Reef to be holding the most
fish. Sunfish continue to be caught off Anderson’s Reef and near
the carp trap in 12 feet of water during the evening hours.
Largemouth bass remain active on the inside and outside weed edges
and around most docks. Topwater baits and buck tails have turned
some muskies this week at the swimming beach and Reinke’s
Reef.

Mases In Towne Marina (952)
442-2096

STATEWIDE

ALEXANDRIA AREA

Fishing continues to be pretty good — if you
don’t need to catch walleyes. The 10- to 15- foot weedlines of most
lakes are producing a mixture of panfish, largemouth bass, and
northern pike. Plastics or crankbaits have been the ticket for bass
and pike, while small leeches or waxworms are the way to go for
panfish. If you’re set on catching a few walleyes, work the deeper
weedlines with a spinner rigs and crawlers on Lake Miltona or Lake
Le Homme Dieu during lowlight periods of the
day.

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

ANNANDALE AREA

The 12- to 14-foot weed edges on Clearwater
Lake, Lake Augusta, Sugar Lake, and Cedar Lake are worth checking
for sunfish and crappies. Northern pike continue to be caught on
Pleasant Lake and Clearwater Lake in 12 feet of water with sucker
minnows. The area bass bite remains strong and a few more reports
of active muskies have been heard from Sugar Lake. Spinner rigs and
crawlers have produced a few walleyes on Pleasant Lake and
Clearwater Lake in 16 to 22 feet of water.

Little Jim’s Bait (320)
274-5297

BATTLE LAKE

The local bass bite has been excellent, but
look to Eagle Lake for better numbers of big fish. Otter Tail Lake
started producing a few more walleyes in 22 to 26 feet of water on
small sucker minnows or shiner minnows. Look to West Battle Lake
with leeches and nightcrawlers for walleyes in 20 to 26 feet of
water. There’s some nice sunfish coming off Blanche Lake, Star
Lake, and Deer Lake in eight to 12 feet of water. Northern pike are
hitting sucker minnows along the weed edges of most lakes, while
West Battle is worth noting for muskies.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218)
864-5596

BLACKDUCK AREA

Look to the mid-lake structure of Round Lake
and Island Lake with live bait rigs and leeches for walleyes. On
Blackduck Lake, leeches, crawlers, and crankbaits continue to turn
walleyes in 14 to 20 feet of water. There’s some decent crappie and
bluegill action taking place in 10 feet of water on North Twin Lake
and South Twin Lake.

Timberline Sports and
Tackle

(218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Walleyes continue to be caught, but they are
scattered in 12 to 20 feet of water. The key is to cover a lot of
water with a live bait rig on lakes such as Pelican, Gull, North
Long, and Round. The deeper weed edges of these same lakes are
providing steady largemouth bass action. The majority of panfish
are being caught in 12 feet of water on lakes such as Nisswa,
Nokay, Roy, and Hubert.

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

CASS LAKE AREA

During the day, crawlers and leeches are
producing walleyes in 14 to 18 feet of water along North Cedar Bar,
Buck’s Bar, Turtle River Bar, and East Cedar Bar on Cass Lake. The
shallower bars also are worth checking during the evening hours
with crankbaits. Perch action has improved around Star Island in
six to eight feet of water. There’s been several big pike caught on
sucker minnows in 30 to 40 feet of water this
week.

Sunset Cove Resort (800)
279-4831

CHISAGO AREA

Kroon Lake is producing sunfish and crappies
in eight to 12 feet of water. You’ll find sunfish in eight to 12
feet of water on Little Lake, while Sunrise Lake continues to
provide northern pike and sunfish action in 12 to 16 feet of water.
Look for suspended crappies over 20 feet of water on Chisago Lake,
North Center Lake, and South Center Lake. Most lakes are kicking
out numbers of largemouth bass, but Chisago is probably the best
bet for bigger fish.

Frankie’s Bait (651)
257-6334

DETROIT LAKES

Look to the sharp breaks and deep weedlines
for walleyes with a jig and minnow, spinner rig, or a live bait rig
tipped with a leech or nightcrawler. Lakes such as Big Cormorant,
Lida, Lizzie, Floyd, Cotton, Shell, Height of Land, Sallie, Elbow,
and Round are all giving up a few fish. Largemouth bass remain
active throughout the area. Work the docks and inside weed edges
with spinnerbaits or plastics. Muskie action has improved on Big
Detroit Lake and Pelican Lake. Look to the deep cabbage on area
lakes for panfish and northern pike.

Dick Beardsley’s Guide Service
www.fishingscene.com

DULUTH AREA

Island Lake continues to produce walleyes on
leeches and crawlers in 30 feet of water. Work the channel edges of
the St. Louis River in 12 to 14 feet of water for walleyes. On Fish
Lake, there’s some evening walleye action taking place in 14 to 18
feet of water with small sucker minnows. The best lake trout
reports off Lake Superior have come from boats fishing about 10
miles out. Spoons or plugs trolled about 50 feet down seem to be
working best. Cohos have been caught closer to the
surface.

Chalstrom’s Bait (218)
726-0094

EAST-CENTRAL MINN

Panfish remain active in the reed beds of
Green Lake and Blue Lake. Crankbaits and jigs are producing nice
walleyes on the Rum River. Bass and northern pike are biting very
well throughout the area, while the island on Fremont Lake
continues to hold crappies in eight to 11 feet of
water.

Tails and Trails Sport Shop (763)
856-3985

FAIRMONT AREA

Hall Lake and Amber Lake are providing steady
catfish action in shallow water. Small jigs and minnows will
produce crappies in 14 to 18 feet of water on Budd Lake and Hall
Lake. Small leeches are producing sunfish in eight feet of water on
Lake Sissiton. Fox Lake remains the best option for muskies with
topwaters and bucktails.

Master Sport and Bait (507)
235-5225

FARIBAULT AREA

Bluegills are biting well in six to 10 feet of
water on Lake Mazaska, Shields Lake, and Cedar Lake. Look for
walleyes in 24 to 26 feet of water on French Lake with leeches and
nightcrawlers. A few walleyes continue to be caught on crankbaits
in the channels of of Cannon Lake. Kelley Dudley Lake remains a
safe bet for northern pike and the local muskie bite continues to
improve each week. Bass continue to be caught along the weed edges
and docks on most lakes.

Lake’s Bait and Tackle (507)
334-2768

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

Northern pike are biting throughout the area
and Rapalas are producing numbers of smallmouth bass on Trout Lake.
Look to Turtle Lake and North Star Lake for walleyes in 22 to 25
feet of water. Smallmouth bass remain shallow and an occasional
flurry of walleye action can be expected from Lake Pokegama in 22
to 25 feet of water. Leeches and crawlers are now working best
during daytime hours. Sand Lake is a safe bet for crappies in 10 to
15 feet of water, as are the weed edges on Little Splithand
Lake.

Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218)
326-8281

Rapids Tackle (218)
326-9838

HACKENSACK AREA

The shallow sand and rock areas of Big Deep
Lake started giving up numbers of smallmouth bass. Largemouth also
can be had in shallow water on Birch Lake. Sunfish action continues
to be impressive on Birch, Pleasant Lake, and Stoney Lake in less
than eight feet of water. Look for walleyes on Ten Mile Lake in 16
to 25 feet of water with a jig and leech or livebait rig and
crawler. After dark, look for suspended walleyes to be hitting
Rapalas on Ten Mile in deep water. The area’s best northern pike
action is taking place on Bowen Lake.

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

HUTCHINSON

Shad Raps are producing walleyes after dark on
Lake Jennie in six to eight feet of water. Look to Stella Lake in
12 feet of water with live bait for walleyes as well. Largemouth
bass and northern pike are hitting crankbaits and spinnerbaits on
Lake Jennie throughout the day.

The Outpost (320)
587-8177

LAKE KABETOGAMA

During the day, leeches and nightcrawlers have
been the ticket for walleyes in 10 to 28 feet of water. There’s
also some fish being taken on Shad Raps on the outside of most
shallow weed edges. Northern pike have started hammering
spinnerbaits and big minnows in Daily Bay, Nebraska Bay, and Blind
Ash Bay. Smallmouth are set up on the rock-covered shorelines and
rock reefs in two to 12 feet of water.

Gateway Store (218)
875-2121

www.gatewaygeneral.com

LAKE VERMILION

The mayfly hatch has taken a toll on the
walleye bite. Some anglers have managed to take a few fish off the
mud flats in 20 to 26 feet of water with leeches and crawlers. Look
for the rock/reef bite to pick up as the bug hatch winds down.
Muskies are reluctant to eat although a lot fish are being seen.
Look for largemouth bass in the weeds and smallmouth on the
rocks.

Lake Vermilion Trading
Company

(218) 666-6052

lakevermiliontradingco.com

MANKATO AREA

Walleyes continue to be caught from the
six-foot weed patches on Lake Washington. Leeches and crawlers are
producing walleyes on the established weed edges of Lake Tetonka
during the evening hours. Northern pike are an easy catch on Little
Jefferson Lake, while Baker’s Bay on Lake Washington is worth
checking for bluegills in eight feet of
water.

The Bobber Shop (507)
625-8228

McGREGOR AREA

Leeches and crawlers are fooling walleyes on
Big Sandy Lake in 12 to 15 feet of water. The thick weed edges of
Lake Minnewawa are providing consistent largemouth bass and sunfish
action. The best crappie bite is taking place on Big Sandy Lake in
12 to 14 feet of water.

Willey’s Sport Shop (218)
426-3382

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Nightcrawlers or redtail minnows on Lindy Rigs
have produced walleyes on Big Sand Lake in 13 to 15 feet of water.
Look to Fish Hook Lake for walleyes in 15 to 20 feet of water. On
Island Lake, leeches and crawlers have provided steady walleye
action in 15 feet of water. Big Mantrap Lake is worth noting for an
occasional muskie and plenty of northern pike along the weed edges.
On Fish Hook Lake, you’ll find bluegills in 10 feet and some nice
crappies in slightly deeper water.

Delaney’s (218)
732-4281

ST. CLOUD AREA

Walleyes have been tough to locate this week,
but largemouth bass and northern pike are biting very well on Grand
Lake, Pearl Lake, Pleasant Lake, and Big Fish Lake. Watab Lake
started producing rainbow trout over 50 to 60 feet of water. Most
of these fish are hitting crawlers under a slip bobber. The
Horseshoe Chain of Lakes is producing a few sunfish in six to 10
feet of water and you can plan on catching catfish here as
well.

Corky’s Gas & Bait (320)
251-1567

STARBUCK AREA

Sunfish continue to bite on Lake Minnewaska in
10 to 12 feet of water. The Starbuck end of Minnewaska is a safe
bet for suspended crappies over 12 feet of water and northern pike
are hitting spoons along the edges of the bulrushes. Look for bass
to be deep during the day and up shallower as the sun sets on most
lakes.

Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320)
239-2239