Walleyes and pike remain active while panfish bite stays slow

Big Six

LAKE_MILLE LACS

East – Perch continue to be caught in 16 feet throughout Isle
Bay on jigging spoons and minnow heads. You’ll find a few walleyes
on the 14- to 16-foot rocks in Isle Bay as well, but the bite is
limited to about an hour at sunset. Reports from the main lake
continue to be sporadic.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

www.johnsonsportside.com

West – Jigging spoons are producing walleyes and perch on the
edges of the flats in 25 to 29 feet. Snowmobiles and sleds are
being used to reach the flats. The 18- to 21-foot break in St.
Alban’s Bay also continues to hold walleyes. Look to the bay for
pike in 15 feet or less.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

www.terrysboatharbor.com

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Limits of walleye and sauger are an easy catch in 20 to 26 feet.
The best reports are coming north of Pine Island and the Morris
Point area with glow or gold jigs tipped and shiner minnows.
Walleyes in the 16- to 18-inch range are quite abundant on the
Rainy River as well.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau

(800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE AREA

The humps in Walker Bay on Leech Lake are producing walleyes
during the evening hours in 18 to 24 feet. Pine Point and the Goose
Island area also have kicked out walleyes during low-light periods
in 10 to 15 feet. On Garfield Lake, anglers continue to find
panfish and walleyes in 15 to 20 feet. Northern pike are active in
the shallow weed areas of most lakes.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA

There’s an evening walleye bite on Lake Minnetonka on the
weedlines or 35 feet and on Lake Independence in 17 feet. Minnows
on setlines seem to be working best. Northern pike are very active
on the weedlines of most lakes hitting sucker minnows and panfish
action is slow.

Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE

Big walleyes remain active off Birch Point in Sand Bay over 24
to 32 feet, but it’s been difficult to hook a limit of keepers.
Look for the crappies to start hitting in Black Bay and northern
pike reports continue to be limited.

Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

There’s some evening walleye action two miles out from shore in
23 feet. The bars and humps also are giving up walleyes in 20 to 23
feet. A few perch have been found on Horseshoe Bar in 20 feet and
you’ll find perch shallow, but plan on sorting through some small
fish. Spearing is still good, but look for deeper water to give up
bigger fish.

Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO

Look to White Bear Lake for walleyes in 15 to 20 feet during
low-light periods. On the St. Croix River, walleyes and crappies
are hitting spoons and Rapalas in 20 to 30 feet. Tip-ups and sucker
minnows are turning pike on the weedlines of Lake Jane and
Demonterville Lake. Sunfish are hitting in less than 10 feet on
Lake Peltier and Jane is producing crappies in 15 to 20 feet.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO

Pike are hitting suckers under tip-ups in 10 to 12 feet at
Pierson Lake. Crappies are hitting during low-light periods on Lake
Parley in 12 to 15 feet. Look for sunfish on Lake Bavaria, Lake
Minnewashta, and Lake Auburn in 10 feet or less.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA

Walleyes are being taken on shiner minnows on the north end in
12 to 15 feet early and late in the day. Sunfish and crappies are
being found in the weeds throughout Waconia Bay and near Pillsbury
Reef or Cemetery Reef in eight to 10 feet of water. Northern pike
are hitting sucker minnows on Center Reef and in Waconia Bay in 12
feet of water.

Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA

A few walleyes are being taken during low-light periods at Lake
Ida, Lake Le Homme Dieu, and Lake Darling in 18 to 22 feet. Look
for sunfish and crappies on the north end of Ida, Le Homme Dieu,
and Lake Geneva in 15 feet or less. Northern pike action has been
slow for spearers and anglers.

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

ANNANDALE AREA

Look to Clearwater Lake, Pleasant Lake, and Sugar Lake for
walleyes in 18 to 24 feet. Crappies have started hitting on
Clearwater, Pleasant, and Lake John during the evening hours in 20
to 24 feet. Northern pike are taking sucker minnows at Pelican Lake
and Lake Ramsey in eight feet or less and sunfish action remains
slow.

Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE

Look to Otter Tail Lake for walleyes in 16 to 30 feet during the
day. West Battle Lake and Eagle Lake are producing walleyes during
the evening hours in 16 to 30 feet. Crappies have started hitting
on West Battle, Pelican Lake, and Elbow Lake in 16 to 22 feet
during the evening hours. Sunfish are being found suspended on
Hancock Lake, East Lost Lake, South Turtle Lake, and Pelican over
16 to 22 feet of water. West Battle is a safe bet for pike with
sucker minnows on the 17-foot weed edge.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA

Walleye action has picked up in 14 to 20 feet early and late in
the day at Big Wolf Lake, Lake Plantagenet, Lake Irvine, and Lake
Bemidji. Crappies are being found suspended over 20 to 30 feet on
Midge Lake, Kitchi Lake, and Grace Lake while sunfish and northern
pike action is slow.

Bluewater Outdoors

(218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Rainbow and shiner minnows are turning walleyes in 10 to 20 feet
on North Long Lake and Round Lake and in 20 to 25 feet on Gull
Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 10 to 12 feet on
most lakes. You’ll find suspended crappies over 15 to 25 feet at
Pelican Lake during the evening hours. On North Long, sunfish are
biting in eight to 10 feet as are crappies over 18 to 20 feet.

S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218)
829-7010

CHISAGO AREA

The weedlines on the south end of Chisago Lake are holding
panfish in six to eight feet. You’ll also find plenty of panfish on
the north end of North Center Lake in six to 12 feet. On Sunrise
Lake, northern pike and panfish are biting in six to 10 feet and
there’s a consistent crappie bite at Kroon Lake in 16 to 18
feet.

Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

DETROIT LAKES

Deadshot Bay, Big Detroit Lake, Little Detroit Lake, Big
Cormorant Lake, and Upper Cormorant Lake are all producing walleyes
in 16 to 20 feet. Look for sunfish in 12 to 14 feet and crappies
over 20 feet on Big Detroit, Big Cormorant, Lake Melissa, and Floyd
Lake. Spearing and angling for northern pike has been strong on all
lakes in shallow water.

Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA

Boulder Lake is a safe bet for walleyes in eight to 10 feet with
chubs and the narrows on Fish Lake are producing walleyes and
crappies over 12 to 14 feet – look for the crappies to be
suspended. Rice Lake is kicking out northern pike in seven feet
throughout the day.

Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

ELY AREA

Walleye action is slow with just a few fish being taken on
Shagawa Lake in 20 to 22 feet. Crappies also have been tough to
find, but northern pike are inhaling ciscoes in 10 feet or less at
Birch Lake, Wood Lake, and Stub Lake.

The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744

EMILY AREA

Look to Lake Esquagamah for crappies, straight out from the
access, in 15 feet. On Ruth Lake, northern pike are being taken on
sucker minnows in 20 feet. Walleyes have started hitting shiner
minnows on West Fox Lake in 25 feet early and late in the day.

Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

FAIRMONT AREA

Fox Lake is producing perch and crappies in 12 feet and Sissiton
Lake is giving up bluegills and crappies in 15 to 18 feet during
midday hours. On Hall Lake, you’ll find walleyes and crappies in 18
to 20 feet. Look to North Silver Lake for perch and Big Tuttle Lake
for northern pike in shallow water.

Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225

FARIBAULT AREA

Walleyes, catfish, and perch are hitting on Roberds Lake in 20
feet. Look to Cannon Lake for perch and a few walleyes in 10 to 12
feet during the day. Hunts Lake started giving up sunfish and
northern pike in 12 to 15 feet. The 30- to 35-foot hole on French
Lake is worth noting for crappies early and late in the day.

Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Walleyes are hitting jigs and minnows on South Fowl Lake in five
feet, Northern Lights Lake in eight feet, Tom Lake in 10 feet, East
Twin Lake in seven feet, and Elbow Lake in five to eight feet.
Spearing for northern pike has been consistent in the shallows of
Northern Lights and Devil Track Lake.

Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

Walleye action has been best in 14 to 24 feet on lakes such as
Sugar, Pokegama, Trout, and Wabana. Crappies are being found over
20 feet on Big Splithand Lake, Little Splithand Lake, and Bowstring
Lake. Tioga Bay on Pokegama is kicking out bluegills and crappies
in 17 to 30 feet. Northern pike are an easy catch at Big Ball Club
Lake, Shallow Lake, and Pokegama.

Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

HACKENSACK AREA

Crappies continue to be caught on Webb Lake in 16 feet and at
Birch Lake in 15 feet. Walleyes have started hitting jigging spoons
in 23 feet at Birch Lake during the morning and evening hours.
Northern pike and sunfish action is slow.

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

LAKE VERMILION

Walleyes are hitting in 18 to 26 feet during the day and in 15
to 18 feet during low-light periods. Demon jigs tipped with a small
sucker or shiner minnow are working best. Tip-ups and sucker
minnows are producing pike in the bays and along shallow breaks.
Look for sunfish in Larson Bay and the best crappie action is
reported off the area’s small lakes.

Lake Vermilion Trading Company

(218) 666-6052

lakevermiliontradingco.com

MANKATO AREA

Look to the southeast end of Lake Hanska for walleyes in six
feet. Mud Bay and Baker’s Bay on Lake Washington are kicking out
panfish in 13 to 16 feet. The narrows on Madison Lake are giving up
crappies in 15 feet and Scotch Lake is producing walleyes, perch,
and pike in six feet.

The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

ORTONVILLE AREA

The south end of Big Stone Lake is producing perch, near the
islands, in 10 to 12 feet. Small jigs tipped with spikes are
producing the most fish. The north end of Big Stone is kicking out
walleyes in eight feet. Toqua Lake in Graceville is giving up
walleyes in less than six feet. The local sloughs are producing
perch, but crappie reports are slow.

Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Walleyes are hitting shiner minnows in 23 feet of water on Fish
Hook Lake. Northern pike are inhaling sucker minnows on Big Mantrap
Lake in 14 feet and the Crow Wing Chain is a safe bet for bluegills
in 12 to 14 feet. Look to Big Mantrap for crappies in 16 feet
during low-light periods.

Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

RED LAKE

The most consistent walleye reports are coming off Center Bar in
nine to 11 feet. Red glow jigs tipped with minnows have been the
hottest presentation. There are roads staked to the best fishing
areas and there are a few cracks to deal with so ask before
venturing out.

Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA

Look for walleyes on Lake Koronis in 12 to 30 feet of water, on
Rice Lake in 14 to 18 feet, and on Horseshoe Lake in 16 to 18 feet
of water. Rice and Horseshoe are safe bets for crappies in 16 to 20
feet, but sunfish action is slow. Northern pike are very active in
the shallows of Rice and Little Mud Lake.

Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA

There’s a short window of walleye activity at sunset on
McCormick Lake in six feet. The north end of Lake Osakis is
producing small walleyes in 20 feet. Look to Big Sauk Lake and the
north end of Big Swan Lake for crappies in 24 feet or more.
Northern pike and sunfish are tough to locate.

Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155

STARBUCK AREA

A few walleyes are being pulled from Lake Minnewaska in 18 to 22
feet during low-light periods. Sunfish action is slow throughout
the area. On the west side of Lake Reno, you’ll find walleyes and
crappies in 16 to 18 feet and look slightly shallower on the east
end.

Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239

WILLMAR AREA

Walleyes are being found in 20 feet or less on lakes such as
Green, Eagle, Long, Solomon, Ringo, Norway, and Elizabeth. The key
is to get away from the crowds and work low-light periods. Panfish
seem to be scattered along with the walleyes on most lakes and
northern pike are active in shallow water on area lakes.

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