Walleyes remain active on the borders; panfish reports are limited

Big Six

LAKE_MILLE LACS

East – Isle Bay started producing crappies during low-light
periods in nine to 14 feet. Look for bigger perch and tullibees off
the mud flats in 30 to 34 feet. The key is to drill holes and stay
on the move picking off the occasional jumbo. There is a shallow
perch bite closer to shore, but you’ll find a lot more small fish
in the shallows.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

www.johnsonsportside.com

West – Tullibee fishing continues to be very good off the Eight
Mile and Seven Mile flats in 30 to 36 feet. The bigger perch also
are being found in this deep water, but the best reports are coming
from anglers who constantly stay on the move. The rocks have not
yet started to kick out large numbers of perch, but look to
Seguchie Point and Brown’s Point in 20 to 30 feet to start
producing soon.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

www.terrysboatharbor.com

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Along the south shore, limits of walleyes and sauger continue to
be caught in 28 to 30 feet about eight to 10 miles out from Pine
Island. About two miles out from Oak Island, walleyes are being
taken in 24 to 30 feet on gold, pink, and orange jigs tipped with
minnows. A mixture of jumbo perch and northern pike can be had in
these same locations.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau

(800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE

The Hardwoods and Goose Island areas started giving up perch in
14 to 16 feet. There’s also been consistent perch reports off Sand
Point in 18 feet during midday hours. Crappie action has picked up
during low-light periods in Miller’s Bay and Shingobee Bay over 21
to 28 feet.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA

The shallow weedlines in most small bays such as Black Lake,
Parsons, and the North Arm of Lake Minnetonka are holding sunfish
and the deep weeds are holding suspended crappies. Anglers on Lake
Independence are finding crappies over 30 feet. Lake Sarah and
Medicine Lake are giving up sunfish in 10 to 12 feet.

Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE

The American Narrows area is producing walleyes in 36 to 40 feet
during the evening hours. The Dryweed Island area is kicking out
walleyes early and late in the day over 35 to 38 feet. The islands
on the east end of the Brule started giving up walleyes in 34 to 38
feet. Northern pike remain active in the Rainy Lake City area and
crappie action remains slow.

Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

Perch action has been pretty consistent in 17 to 22 feet on
Snaghole Bar, Hunter’s Hump, River Bar, and the back side of Center
Bar. The humps on the north end also have produced perch in 25 to
30 feet, as are the flats off Raven’s Point in 12 to 15 feet. Gold
or green jigging spoons and minnow heads are working best tight to
the bottom.

Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO

Look for crappies on_Lake Jane in 15 to 20 feet and at
Demonterville Lake in 10 to 12 feet during the evening hours. On
White Bear Lake, crappies remain active during the day in 12 to 15
feet. Lake Peltier is producing sunfish in seven to 10 feet, as is
Centerville Lake in 15 to 18 feet. White bass and crappies continue
to be caught on the St. Croix River over 30 to 35 feet.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO

Lake Parley continues to give up a few crappies in 16 to 18 feet
during the evening hours. Look to Hydes Lake and Whaletail Lake for
crappies in 14 feet early and late in the day. Sunfish reports have
been poor, but look to Lake Minnewashta and Prior Lake for a few in
12 to 15 feet.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA

The marina is now closed until the docks can be put in this
spring. The last report indicated an evening crappie bite in 12 to
14 feet near Pillsbury Reef and Center Reef. The weedlines on, or
adjacent to, most reefs and in Waconia Bay started producing some
keepable sunfish in 10 to 15 feet early and late in the day.

Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA

Crappies have started to bite slightly better during the evening
hours in 20 to 25 feet or along the 15-foot weedlines of Lake Le
Homme Dieu and Lake Ida. Sunfish action remains slow, but look to
lakes such as Carlos, Darling, and Victoria to start producing in
the weeks ahead.

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

ANNANDALE AREA

You’ll find sunfish and crappies on Pelican Lake in eight to 10
feet. A few crappies continue to be caught on French Lake over 20
to 50 feet during the day. Look to the southeast side of Pleasant
Lake for panfish in 20 feet and Constance Lake is giving up sunfish
and crappies during the afternoon and evening hours. Lake Marie and
Lake John are kicking out sunfish in 20 feet during the day.

Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE

Sunfish are hitting early and late in the day at Buchanan Lake,
Lake Lida, Stuart Lake, Lake Marion, and Star Lake in 12 to 20
feet. Crappies can be had during low-light periods at Lost Lake,
East Battle Lake, Pelican Lake near Ashby, Walker Lake, and Star
over 16 to 22 feet. Perch are hitting on_Otter Tail Lake and West
Battle Lake in 15 to 30 feet. Look to Otter Tail, Star, Pickeral
Lake, and Long Lake for tullibees over 33 to 40 feet.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA

Perch action is strong on Lake Bemidji in 30 feet with jigging
spoons and minnow heads. At Pike Bay Lake anglers are sight-fishing
perch in six to eight feet. Look for bluegills and crappies on
Hennepin Lake and Lake Hattie in 10 to 15 feet early and late in
the day.

Bluewater Outdoors

(218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BLACKDUCK AREA

Look to Blackduck Lake for a few perch on the deep mud or in 12
to 17 feet during the morning hours. Rabideau Lake started giving
up bluegills in 15 feet and on_Lake Pimushe you’ll hit bluegills
and crappies in 20 to 25 feet early and late in the day.

Timberline Sports and Tackle

(218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Nisswa Lake, Cullen Lake, and North Long Lake are kicking out
sunfish in 10 to 12 feet. Look for crappies in 16 to 20 feet at
Gull Lake, Round Lake, and Cullen during the evening hours. Gull is
giving up good-sized perch in 16 to 20 feet as well.

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

CASS LAKE AREA

Anglers are sorting through numbers of perch for their keepers
on the west and south sides of Star Island at Cass Lake. The best
reports are coming from 12 feet with a small jig and minnow.
Bluegill and crappie action has been inconsistent with an
occasional flurry of action during low-light periods on Grace Lake
and Kitchi Lake in 14 to 18 feet.

Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831

CHISAGO AREA

The south end of Chisago Lake and the bay below Bluewaters on
North Center Lake are safe bets for sunfish in six to 10 feet.
Crappies are being caught on minnows during the evening hours at
Kroon Lake in 22 to 24 feet and at South Lindstrom Lake in 22 to 26
feet. Some of the bigger fish continue to be found suspended.

Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

CROSBY AREA

Sunfish, crappies, and some decent perch are coming from
Mahnomen Lake in 12 to 18 feet, while crappies can be had at Cedar
Lake during the day and into the night. Upper Dean Lake and Milford
Lake continue to produce sunfish and crappies. Look for crappies to
be suspended and sunfish just below them on most lakes. Bay Lake,
Serpent Lake, and Bass Lake are worth noting for crappies as well
and the deep holes of Nokay Lake, Pelican Lake, and Cedar are
producing tullibees.

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

CROSS LAKE AREA

Panfish action has been good, although crappies seem to be a
little less aggressive at this point on most lakes. The best
reports for sunfish and crappies are coming from 16 to 25 feet with
waxworms or Eurolarvae and small glow jigs. Trout anglers are
reporting good success in the 50- to 60-foot range and the bigger
fish continue to be suspended.

Crosslake Holiday Sports

(218) 692-2708

DETROIT LAKES

Crappies are hitting during low-light periods at Little Detroit
Lake, Lake Melissa, Floyd Lake, Big Detroit Lake, and Deadshot Bay
in 12 to 14 feet. Sunfish also can be had on these lakes, but some
of the better catches are coming from water as shallow as six feet.
Tullibees are being found suspended over deep water on Long Lake,
Loon Lake, and Lake Sallie.

Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA

A few crappies continue to be caught on minnows at Fish Lake in
15 feet during the evening hours. Fish Lake also is giving up some
keeping-sized perch in 15 to 20 on small minnows. Comstock Lake,
Caribou Lake, and Grand Lake also are giving up crappies during
low-light periods. Ice along the north shore of Lake Superior is
preventing anglers from fishing it.

Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

EAST-CENTRAL MINN

Green Lake started giving up crappies via minnows in 18 to 22
feet during the evening hours. Look to Blue Lake, Briggs Lake, and
Lori Lake for a few crappies as well, but it’s been a lot of work
to catch numbers of fish.

Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985

ELY AREA

Jigs tipped with smelt are producing lake trout on Burntside
Lake during the morning hours over 45 to 50 feet. A few lakers also
are coming from the deep holes of Snowbank Lake. Crappies are being
found suspended over 30 feet at Farm Lake and over 15 to 20 feet at
Bass Lake during low-light periods.

The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744

EMILY AREA

Look for crappies during the afternoon and evening hours on Lake
Esquagamah in 20 to 25 feet. On Island Lake, the sunfish have
started hitting in 25 feet. Sunfish and crappies are being caught
in the middle of Goodrich Lake in 20 to 25 feet. Lawrence Lake
continues to produce crappies over 20 feet during the evening
hours.

Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

FAIRMONT AREA

A few crappies and perch continue to be caught at Fox Lake in 17
feet and you’ll find a crappie/sunfish mix on the north end of Budd
Lake. Hall Lake is kicking out perch and crappies in 18 to 20 feet
early and late in the day. Look to Sissiton Lake for panfish in 16
to 18 feet.

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

FARIBAULT AREA

Hunts Lake is producing sunfish in 15 to 18 feet and the deep
holes of Lake Mazaska are producing crappies during low-light
periods. Look for sunfish on Mazaska in shallower water throughout
the day. French Lake is kicking out small crappies over 30 feet
early and late each day.

Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Lake trout action has been very good with ciscoes or a jig and
minnow at Gunflint Lake over 35 to 40 feet, Loon_Lake over 50 feet,
Kemo Lake over 30 feet, and at Trout Lake over 40 feet.Trout Lake
also is producing rainbow trout on minnows in 20 feet. On Lake
Saganaga, lake trout remain suspended and active over 55 to 60 feet
and a few walleyes are being taken in 20 to 25 feet. Waxworms are
turning rainbow trout at Mink Lake in 15 feet of water, while
Musquash Lake is a safe bet for splake and brook trout in 12 feet
of water.

Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

On Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake, crappies are being caught over 30
feet and sunfish are hitting in 20 feet. You’ll find crappies in 27
feet and perch in 20 feet at Bowstring Lake. The warmwater
discharge area of the Mississippi River is producing sunfish and
crappies. Look to Lake Wabana in 15 to 25 feet for bluegills and
crappies and Bass Lake is producing ‘gills in eight to 17 feet.
Crappies and sunfish are scattered between 13 and 40 feet on Lake
Pokegama.

Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

LAKE VERMILION

With the walleye season now closed, anglers are turning to
crappies and perch. The bite is just getting started with panfish
showing up in the mud-covered bays and on small area lakes. As it
continues to get warmer, look for these fish to start moving
shallower.

Lake Vermilion Trading Company

(218) 666-6052

lakevermiliontradingco.com

MANKATO AREA

Big Jefferson Lake started producing perch over 30 feet. Look
for sunfish in Baker’s Bay on Lake Washington in 20 to 26 feet. A
few sunfish and crappies have started showing up near Third Point
on Washington in 30 to 34 feet of water Church Bar on Madison Lake
is producing crappies during low-light periods in 12 to 16
feet.

The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

McGREGOR AREA

The deep holes on the north end of Big Sandy Lake continue to
produce tullibees, most of which are being taken on jigs tipped
with waxworms. A few perch also have come off Big Sandy in 28 feet
on minnows or waxworms. Sunfish and crappie reports continue to be
poor throughout the area.

Willey’s Sport Shop (218) 426-3382

PARK RAPIDS AREA

The Crow Wing Chain continues to produce bluegills, many of
which are suspended over 10 to 12 feet. There’s a crappie bite
during the evening hours in this same area. On Big Mantrap Lake,
you’ll find crappies suspended over 20 to 22 feet during the
evening hours. Glow jigs and minnows are the ticket here.

Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

RED LAKE

With the walleye season closed, angler numbers have dropped this
week. The few people that continue to fish are working hard for
crappies with limited success. If you stay on the move, you’ll come
across an occasional pod of fish in the 11- to 13-foot range and
when found, they are good-sized fish.

Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657

RED WING AREA

Anglers fishing in boats below the dam on the Mississippi River
are catching sauger, a few walleyes and an occasional catfish in 15
to 18 feet. Bright-colored hair jigs or Sonars have worked best.
Glow jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms are producing crappies
near the docks at Baypoint Park in eight to 10 feet for ice
anglers.

Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111

Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

REMER AREA

Crappies are being found suspended over 26 to 30 feet at Sugar
Lake and you’ll find sunfish near the islands in 17 feet. Big Sand
Lake is producing sunfish in less than 10 feet, but panfish reports
off other lakes continue to be limited.

Remer Trading Post (218) 566-2338

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA

Crappies continue to be caught at Rice Lake and Lake Koronis in
25 to 30 feet. Horseshoe Lake is giving up a few crappies over 20
feet and Cedar Island Lake is producing sunfish in 12 feet. Look to
Pearl Lake for crappies and sunfish in eight to 10 feet and the
deep holes on Long Lake are kicking out catfish.

Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA

The north end of Lake Osakis continues to produce sunfish and a
few crappies in 18 to 22 feet. Eurolarvae and grass shrimp tend to
produce more fish and look for schools of suspended panfish to be
most active. Lake Irene and Lake Miltona started to give up some
decent sunfish in 10 to 14 feet early and late in the day.

Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155

STARBUCK AREA

Sunfish have bit better in front of the Lakeside Ballroom on
Lake Minnewaska in 12 to 15 feet. Crappie and sunfish reports
continue to be slow throughout the rest of the area.

Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239

WILLMAR AREA

Crappies are hitting on Foot Lake early and late in the day in
23 to 30 feet. Hit Norway Lake in 20 to 30 feet for sunfish and
crappies and on Eagle Lake you’ll find some keeping-sized perch in
10 to 15 feet. There’s a few crappies being taken at night on
minnows on the southwest corner of Diamond Lake.

Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports

(320) 235-4097