Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREA
BullDawgs and CowGirls have provided a good week of muskie
action on Lake Miltona. Look for crappies in 12 to 15 feet of water
on lakes Le Homme Dieu, Darling, Geneva, and Carlos. Lakes Ida and
Darling are the area’s best sunfish options in eight to 10 feet.
Walleyes are being caught during low-light periods on crankbaits in
10 to 15 feet of water at Ida, Miltona, and Lake Mary. Bass are
hitting topwater baits around the docks and reeds or crankbaits on
the flats of most lakes.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255
ANNANDALE AREA
A few walleyes can be had on minnows or nightcrawlers in 12 to
22 feet of water on Clearwater Lake, Pleasant Lake, and Cedar Lake.
Look for panfish adjacent to the weedlines of Clearwater, Cedar,
Lake Sylvia, and Lake John. Largemouth bass are cooperating on most
lakes, while the weedlines of Cedar, Pleasant, Clearwater, and
Indian Lake are safe bets for northern pike.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE
Walleyes are hitting leeches or nightcrawlers during the day in
21 to 26 feet of water on lakes Pickeral, Otter Tail, West Battle,
and East Battle. Crankbaits also have worked during the evening
hours in six to eight feet. Minnows are turning crappies over 15 to
20 feet of water at West Battle, East Battle, Eagle Lake, and
Silver Lake. Northern pike and bass are an easy catch on Clitherall
and West Battle in 12 to 18 feet and trolling crankbaits has
produced muskies in 20 to 30 feet on West Battle. Sunfish remain
active in six to 12 feet at Stalker Lake, Blanche Lake, Elbow Lake,
Eagle, and West Battle.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BEMIDJI AREA
Minnows and leeches are producing walleyes in 12 to 15 feet of
water at Cass Lake, Lake Bemidji, and Lake Plantagenet. Muskie
action has been slow, although the fish being raised have been big
on most lakes. Grant Lake, Grace Lake, and Pimushe Lake are giving
up panfish in 10 to 14 feet of water. The area bass action is
consistent and northern pike remain active on the weedlines of Big
Lake and Lake Andrusia.
Bluewater Outdoors
(218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BLACKDUCK AREA
Minnows or crankbaits are turning walleyes on Blackduck Lake and
Gull Lake in 10 to 15 feet. North Twin Lake, South Twin Lake,
Gilstead Lake, and Gull are giving up panfish in 10 to 12 feet.
Bass and northern pike action is strong in the weeds of most lakes
with artificial or live bait combinations.
Timberline Sports and Tackle
(218) 835-4636
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Walleye action has improved on Gull Lake and Pelican Lake in 20
to 28 feet during the day and in 16 to 20 feet during low-light
periods. Lindy Rigs and redtails have been the most productive
presentation. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and northern pike are
hitting sucker minnows along the deep and shallow weedlines of Lake
Hubert, North Long Lake, and Gull. Panfish action remains strong in
the weeds of most lakes.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218)
829-7010
CHISAGO AREA
Bass action is very good with plastics and crankbaits on the
weedlines of Chisago Lake, North Center Lake, Green Lake, and South
Center Lake. Look for sunfish in eight to 14 feet on South Center,
Chisago, and South Lindstrom_Lake. Northern pike continue to hit
sucker minnows on the weedlines of Sunrise Lake and walleye action
has been limited.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
CROSS LAKE AREA
The walleye bite on the Whitefish Chain and most surrounding
lakes remains good with leeches or redtails in 18 to 24 feet. Bass
and northern pike continue to be taken with spinnerbaits or sucker
minnows on the outside weed edges. Look for crappies to be
suspended over 14 feet and most active early and late in the
day.
Crosslake Holiday Sports (218) 692-2708
DETROIT LAKES
Look for walleyes to hit minnows in 17 to 24 feet on Big Detroit
Lake, Lake Sallie, Lake Melissa, Big Cormorant, and Pelican Lake.
Panfish action has been best in 14 to 16 feet on lakes such as
Upper Cormorant, Floyd, Little Detroit, Deadshot Bay, and Sallie.
The bigger muskies have started hitting CowGirls on Big Detroit
Lake along the cabbage weeds. Bass and pike remain active on the
weedlines of most lakes.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248
DULUTH AREA
Muskie action has picked up in shallow water at Island Lake and
the St. Louis River. Small walleyes can be had on chubs in 15 to 18
feet on_Island as well. Look for crappies to be suspended over 18
feet on Fish Lake and the weeds of Rice Lake continue to produce
northern pike. The king salmon have started staging for their fall
run from_Lake Superior. Trolling glow spoons or stickbaits has
worked best over 40 feet early and late in the day.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094
ELY AREA
A jig and minnow is producing good-sized smallmouth bass on
Burntside Lake in 20 to 30 feet. A few walleyes are being caught on
the reefs of Burntside with crankbaits at night in 12 feet.
Spinnerbaits are triggering northern pike at Birch Lake and White
Iron Lake. Look for walleyes to be scattered between 11 and 30 feet
on Basswood Lake and there’s plenty of small sunfish to be had in
the shallow weeds of Burntside, White Iron, and Garden Lake.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744
FARIBAULT AREA
Lake Mazaska is kicking out sunfish in 20 to 25 feet. Look to
the weedlines of Cedar Lake for bass or panfish and anglers
continue to see an occasional muskie at French Lake. The bridge
area of Cannon_Lake is giving up catfish at night and a few pike
can be had on the weedlines of Roberds Lake.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341
GRAND MARAIS AREA
Walleyes are hitting leeches on Island Lake in 18 feet, minnows
on Crescent Lake in 12 to 15 feet, minnows or Rapalas at Caribou
Lake in 15 feet, and minnows on Seagull Lake in 20 to 25 feet.
Spoons are the ticket for pike at Northern Lights Lake, Homer Lake,
and Devil Track Lake. The smallmouth bass bite is strong on all
lakes and lake trout are being found over 45 feet with ciscoes on
Pine Lake and with jigs over 35 to 40 feet at Trout Lake.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
You’ll find suspended crappies on the weedlines and deep holes
of lakes Pokegama, Wabana, Big Cutfoot, and Little Cutfoot. The
weedlines of Grave Lake and Bass Lake are holding bluegills.
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 12 to 14 feet on Big Cutfoot, in
nine to 12 feet at Sand Lake and crankbaits in seven feet on Deer
Lake, Trout Lake, and Pokegama at night. Muskie and pike reports
have been slow, but smallmouth bass are hitting on the Mississippi
River and Pokegama.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
A jig and minnow or crawler rig is producing walleyes at Woman
Lake in 14 to 22 feet. Pike action also has improved on the
weedlines of Woman. Look to Birch Lake and Pleasant Lake for
panfish in 12 to 25 feet, while largemouth and smallmouth bass
continue to be active on all area lakes.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE KABETOGAMA
Walleyes are hitting a jig and minnow combination in 30 feet or
more or a live-bait rig and leech in 24 to 28 feet. The reefs,
flats, and narrows are all holding some fish. Northern pike are
hitting spoons and crankbaits on the weedlines of most bays such as
Lost, Daily, Mud, and Junction. Look for smallmouth bass on the
rock piles and reef edges.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121
LAKE OSAKIS
Buck Point and the Half Mile Bar are giving up a few sunfish in
six to 12 feet. Bass and northern pike seem to be hitting most
anything thrown their way along the deep weedlines. Some big bass
also have been pulled from the bulrushes. Walleye reports have been
nonexistent this week.
Matt’s Bait (320) 859-2181
LAKE VERMILION
Crawlers and Lindy Rigs are producing walleyes in the saddles,
humps, and primary breaks in 17 to 24 feet. There are fish hitting
slip bobbers and leeches on the reefs during low-light periods as
well. Muskie anglers are seeing a few fish, but getting them to eat
has been difficult.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company
(218) 666-6052
MANKATO AREA
On Madison Lake, you’ll find crappies in eight to 12 feet of
water between the narrows and Miller’s Point. Second and Third
points on Lake Washington are producing sunfish in eight to 10
feet. A jig and minnow combination started producing walleyes in
the deep holes of the Blue Earth River. Bass action is strong on
German Lake and Lake Tetonka and flathead catfish action is best on
the Minnesota River from Mankato to St. Peter.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228
ORTONVILLE AREA
Perch and bluegills can be had in 11 to 13 feet in the Manhattan
Reef, Meadowbrook, and Rocky Ledge areas of Big Stone Lake.
Trolling crankbaits from Mallard Point to Sodak in 12 to 14 feet
has triggered walleyes on Big Stone. Look to the Minnesota River
for catfish and spinner rigs are turning walleyes on Lake Oliver in
10 to 12 feet.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Long Lake is giving up walleyes via leeches and crawlers in 18
to 24 feet. The eight- to 14-foot cabbage beds on Fifth Crow Wing
Lake are worth hitting for northern pike. You’ll find crappies in
the 12- to 14-foot cabbage of Fish Hook_Lake and bluegills remain
active in 10 to 12 feet on Big Mantrap Lake.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
RED WING AREA
Pulling crankbaits in 14 feet on Lake Pepin has produced
walleyes and sauger. The mouth of the Rush River is providing
steady northern pike action with spoons. The rock piles in Pepin
are holding smallmouth bass, while sucker minnows and stinkbaits
are the ticket for catfish in the Hay Creek area.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Look for sunfish in six to 10 feet on Becker Lake, Horseshoe
Lake, Cedar Island Lake, and Pearl Lake. Northern pike remain
active, hitting sucker minnows in 10 to 12 feet at Lake Koronis,
Grand Lake, Browns Lake, and Horseshoe. Catfish remain active
throughout the Sauk River and bass are an easy catch in the weeds
of most lakes.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248
WILLMAR AREA
Panfish have bit most consistently in this region. Lakes such as
Andrew, North Long, Games, Nest, Norway, and Florida have all
produced some sunfish and crappies in 10 to 12 feet. On Green Lake,
you’ll hook a few walleyes in 30 to 40 feet during the day and in
shallower water at night. The smallmouth bass action also has
improved on Green. Lake Florida and Willmar/Foot Lake are safe bets
for northern pike and the largemouth bass bite has been best on
most lakes during lowlight periods.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097
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