BIG SIX
LAKE MILLE LACS
East – Nightcrawlers have started turning more fish on the north
end sand in 18 feet of water. Slip bobbers and leeches are still
the ticket on the shallow rocks during the evening hours. Look to
Spider Island, Big Point, and Shaw’s Point as the best rock spots.
A slowly presented live bait rig is producing walleyes on the deep
edges of the mud flats.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
www.johnsonsportside.com
West – Sherman’s Flat, Seguchie’s Flat, and the Seven Mile Flat
are producing walleyes between 31 and 35 feet of water. Live bait
rigs tipped with nightcrawlers or leeches are working best. The
same presentation is providing steady action between 16 and 25 feet
of water in St. Alban’s Bay. The evening bite remains strong on the
shallow rock points and reefs with slip bobbers and leeches.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
Tutt’s Bait & Tackle (320) 692-4341
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Reports from the south shore indicate limits of walleyes being
caught in 17 to 23 feet of water while anchored and jigging. The
Morris Point Gap has been the most consistent area. At the
Northwest Angle, the 16- to 18-foot breaks off Oak Island are
kicking out walleyes by casting crankbaits or drifting spinner
rigs.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau
(800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE AREA
The majority of keeping-sized walleyes are coming from 15 to 23
feet of water during the day and 15 to 17 feet during the evening
hours on Leech Lake. A jig and shiner minnow is the best bet in
Walker Bay, Agency Bay, and the north side of Minnesota Island.
Look to Portage Bay in 15 to 20 feet of water for bigger walleyes.
Garfield Lake has provided steady walleye action as well. The best
crappie reports are coming from Miller’s Bay and Shingobee Bay on
Leech in six to 15 feet of water.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
LAKE MINNETONKA
Work the bigger bays for walleyes with leeches and nightcrawlers
in 28 to 30 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting spinners and
minnows along the 14- to 16-foot weed edges. Look for crappies to
be suspended over deep water and sunfish are scattered, but active,
in two to 20 feet of water.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227
RAINY LAKE
On the main lake, walleyes continue to hit a jig and minnow
combination in the Siene River and Kettle Falls areas. The mouth of
the Little Fork River has provided consistent walleye action on the
Rainy River as well. Northern pike are inhaling minnows and
crankbaits along the weeded shorelines near Black Bay.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Although a few big walleyes have been caught on the deep bars,
the majority of fish continue to be caught from six to 10 feet of
water on a jig and shiner minnow. Little Stoney Point to the town
side access has been good, so has the bird houses area, Tamarack
Point, and points along the west side of the lake. Numbers of
northern pike and perch have been mixed in with the walleyes.
Pines Resort and Campground (218) 246-8546
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
Twin Cities Metro
NORTHEAST METRO
Bald Eagle Lake and Big Marine Lake are giving up
crappies in 15 to 20 feet of water. The St. Croix River is a safe
bet for walleyes and sauger, while there’s some evening walleye
activity with jigs and minnows on Clear Lake and Bald Eagle in 15
to 20 feet of water. Northern pike are being taken along the weed
edges of Demonterville Lake, White Bear Lake, and Big Marine.
Sunfish have moved into two to eight feet of water on lakes such as
Peltier, Linwood, and Bone.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651)
777-2421
WEST METRO
Slip bobbers and fathead minnows have been turning
walleyes on Lake Parley in 12 to 14 feet of water. Parley has
provided steady sunfish action in four to six feet of water as
well. The north end of Lake Minnewashta is kicking out sunfish in
four feet of water and some crappies in 10 feet. Look to Lake
Auburn for sunfish in six feet of water. Trolling crankbaits along
the weed edges of Lower Auburn Lake has produced numbers of
northern pike.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022
LAKE WACONIA
Crappies have become weed-related in about 12 feet of
water. Kegg’s Reef and Reinke’s Bay are worth noting. Look to the
southeast corner of the lake for walleyes and crappies with leeches
in 12 to 16 feet of water. These fish tend to move shallower during
the evening hours. The shallow bays remain the best option for
sunfish.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096
Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREA
Live bait rigs tipped with shiner minnows, leeches, or
nightcrawlers have produced walleyes in 12 to 17 feet of water.
Lakes worth noting include Mary, Oscar, Chippewa, and Le Homme
Dieu. Panfish anglers continue to do well in shallow water on most
lakes for sunfish and crappies.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320)
763-3255
ANNANDALE AREA
A minnow and jig is producing walleyes in 18 to 28 feet
of water on Clearwater Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake Sylvia, Lake John,
and Granite Lake. Sucker minnows will produce northern pike on the
14-foot weedlines on these lakes as well. Sunfish and crappies are
being found shallow on most lakes.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE
Walleyes continue to be caught on a jig and shiner
minnow in 14 to 20 feet of water at Rush Lake, Big Pine Lake, Otter
Tail Lake, and West Battle Lake. Crappie action remains strong in
the shallows of Elbow Lake, Clitherall Lake, and Blanche Lake.
South Turtle Lake is the best option for northern pike, while
sunfish remain active in the shallows of Deer Lake.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Walleye action remains very good with leeches or shiner
minnows on Gull Lake, North Long Lake, and Round Lake. Look for
northern pike to hit sucker minnows in six to 18 feet of water on
most lakes, while panfish are biting in the shallow weeds
throughout the area.
S & W Bait & Tackle (218) 829-7010
CASS LAKE AREA
The seven- to 20-foot breaklines are producing walleyes
during the day. Work the shallow, current flow areas during the
evening hours, and a jig and shiner minnow is working best. Look to
Cass Lake, Lake Andrusia, Kitchi Lake, and Pike Bay Lake for
walleyes. Allen’s Bay on Cass is a safe bet for bluegills in
shallow water and the reeds of most lakes are now holding
crappies.
Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831
CHISAGO AREA
Look for walleyes on South Lindstrom Lake in 12 to 17
feet, the north end of North Center Lake in 12 to 16 feet, and in
front of the A-Frame on Chisago Lake in 10 to 16 feet of water.
Leeches and minnows are turning the majority of fish. Northern pike
and bluegills are very active on Sunrise Lake, while Kroon Lake is
the area’s best option for crappies in 10 to 12 feet of
water.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
CROSBY AREA
Walleyes are hitting a jig or live bait rig tipped with
minnows or crawlers in 22 to 27 feet of water on Rabbit Lake and
Serpent Lake. There’s an evening crappie bite on Serpent Lake in 12
to 15 feet of water in the Peterson Creek area. Power Baits or
Rapalas have been the ticket for trout at the Pennington Pit and
Huntington Pit.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912
DULUTH AREA
Leeches and minnows are turning walleyes in 10 feet of
water at Fish Lake and Boulder Lake. Island Lake also has given up
walleyes, but in 30 feet of water. Caribou Lake and Fish Lake are
worth noting for bluegills in six feet of water. The best lake
trout and coho salmon reports are coming from the south end of Lake
Superior with stickbaits trolled in the top 30 feet of
water.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094
EAST-CENTRAL MINN
Look to Green Lake for walleyes in 14 to 22 feet of
water and Elk Lake in seven to 11 feet of water. Blue Lake is the
area’s best option for panfish in shallow water and northern pike
seem to be hitting minnows along the weedlines of most
lakes.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985
FAIRMONT AREA
Lindy Rigs and leeches are producing walleyes during the
evening hours in 12 to 14 feet of water on Hall Lake and Budd Lake.
Crappie action remains strong in three to six feet of water at the
power plant on George Lake and the water treatment plant area of
Budd Lake. Northern pike have been aggressively hitting minnows on
most lakes.
Master Sport and Bait (507) 235-5225
FARIBAULT AREA
The bridge area of Cannon Lake is kicking out walleyes
in four to six feet of water. Limits of walleyes have been caught
on jigs and minnows on Circle Lake in eight to 10 feet of water.
Look to the shallow weeds of Hunt Lake and Lake Mazaska for
crappies, while northern pike are an easy catch with sucker minnows
on Cedar Lake and Kelley Dudley Lake.
Lake’s Bait and Tackle (507) 334-2768
GRAND MARAIS AREA
Cool weather has limited walleye action, but a few fish
have been caught in shallow water on Lake Saganaga and Gunflint
Lake. The evening hours have been best with a jig and minnow.
Northern pike have been most active in 10 to 12 feet of water at
Elbow Lake.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
The south end rock piles of Bowstring Lake are holding
walleyes and crappies in 10 to 12 feet of water. Shiner minnows
have produced walleyes at Splithand Lake in 12 feet. Swan Lake and
Deer Lake have started producing walleyes as well. Poole’s Bay on
Lake Pokegama is giving up crappies and numbers of small northern
pike can be had from most lakes.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
Rapids Tackle (218) 326-9838
HACKENSACK AREA
Leeches and nightcrawlers are providing steady walleye
action on Pleasant Lake in 18 to 22 feet of water and at Kidd Lake
in 15 feet of water. Leeches have provided the best bite on Birch
Lake in 25 to 27 feet, while a jig and shiner minnow is key on Webb
Lake in 15 to 18 feet of water. The shallow water crappie bite
remains strong on lakes such as Ten Mile, Child, and
Webb.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE KABETOGAMA
The wind-driven shorelines have been best for walleyes
with a jig and minnow combination. Look for sand and gravel bottom
areas to be holding the most fish. Minnows and artificial
presentations are providing steady northern pike action in less
than 10 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are an easy catch in the
shallow sand areas of the lake.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121
www.gatewaygeneral.com
LAKE OSAKIS
A variety of live bait options is producing walleyes on
Four Mile Bar in 16 to 30 feet of water and on Moon Bar in six to
12 feet of water. Panfish reports remain limited, but northern pike
are an easy catch throughout the lake.
Fisherman’s Corner (320) 859-2181
LAKE VERMILION
A jig and minnow is producing walleyes along the 25- to
30-foot breaks during the evening hours. Look for leeches and
crawlers to start turning fish this week with warmer weather.
Crappies are stacking up in Black Bay, Wolf Bay, and the Wakemup
Narrows.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company
(218) 666-6052
lakevermiliontradingco.com
McGREGOR AREA
The flowage areas of Big Sandy Lake are giving up
walleyes with minnows. Lake Minnewawa and Rat Lake are safe bets
for panfish in shallow water. Sucker minnows are turning northern
pike along the weed edges of most lakes.
Willey’s Sport Shop (218) 426-3382
MONTICELLO AREA
A jig and minnow on the Mississippi River is the most
consistent bet for walleyes. Briggs Lake and Julia Lake also have
given up a few walleyes in eight to 14 feet of water. Look to Locke
Lake with leeches for walleyes in 12 feet of water. Buffalo Lake
remains the area’s best bet for crappies in shallow
water.
Shuman’s Outdoor Sports (763) 295-3222
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Minnows are providing steady walleye action on Big Sand
Lake in 16 feet of water and at the Crow Wing Chain in 12 feet of
water. Fish Hook Lake and Long Lake have provided steady northern
pike activity, while the shallow weeds on Long, Fish Hook, and Crow
Wing Chain continue to produce crappies.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
RED LAKE
Anglers have managed limits of crappies in six to eight
feet of water near Roger’s Campground and Mort’s Dock. Walleyes
continue to hit a jig and minnow in the same depths throughout the
lake. The wind usually dictates what end of the lake you can fish
more than the bite.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657
SAUK CENTRE AREA
Panfish action has picked up in the shallows of most
lakes and northern pike are hitting minnows along the weed edges of
Big Sauk Lake, Black Oak Lake, and Big Birch Lake. Little Birch
Lake and the area below the dam on Sauk Lake remain the best bets
for walleyes.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155
STARBUCK AREA
Minnows have been the ticket for walleyes on Lake
Minnewaska at two depths, 10 to 12 feet or 25 feet of water. Long
Lake is producing walleyes in eight feet of water, as is Reno Lake
in 15 feet, and the Chippewa River near Benson has kicked out some
fish this week as well. The best bet for panfish remains the
Starbuck Marina on Lake Minnewaska.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239
WILLMAR AREA
Green Lake is producing walleyes in 30 to 40 feet of
water. On lakes such as Solomon, Ringo, Long, Diamond, Willmar, and
Florida you’ll find active walleyes during the evening hours along
the shorelines or creek mouth areas. Panfish have begun to move
shallow with the best reports coming off Lake Andrew, Florida Lake,
Nest Lake, and Willmar Lake.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097