Strong winds limit angling opportunities in most areas

Big Six

LAKE MILLE LACS

East – Walleye action has slowed during the day, but with some
persistence you’ll catch fish on the deep mud and gravel with
leeches and crawlers. The night bite is still worth noting on the
mid-depth rocks with slip bobbers and leeches. Muskie anglers
started seeing more fish in the bays and a few have been hooked on
the shallow rocks. Smallmouth bass also are hitting on most
mid-depth rock piles.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

www.johnsonsportside.com

West – Leadcore line and crankbaits seem to be working best for
walleyes during the day on top of the flats. At night, slip bobbers
and leeches are the ticket off the mud in 26 to 28 feet. Leeches
are producing smallmouth bass and perch on the 18- to 23-foot
rocks. Muskie activity has been better on the north end of the lake
and along the weedlines in most bays. Crankbaits are turning
northern pike on the weedlines in St. Alban’s Bay.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

www.terrysboatharbor.com

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Hammered gold spinner rigs tipped with crawlers or leeches continue
to produce walleyes near Long Point and Garden Island in 28 to 34
feet. Walleye action also has been excellent at the Northwest Angle
with live bait around Lily Island, Johnston Passage, and Windfall
island. Several 40- to 50-inch muskies also have been caught around
the islands.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau

(800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE AREA

With the exception of some deep walleyes caught in Walker Bay, the
day bite remains difficult. Crankbaits remain the best option for
walleyes at night with areas such as Sand Point, Cedar Point, Pine
Point, and Goose Island all giving up fish in 10 to 14 feet of
water. Muskie anglers are seeing fish on the weeds in Portage Bay
and on several weeded, main-lake flats. Look for bass to be hitting
plastics in the rice of Steamboat Bay and Boy Bay. Miller’s Bay
remains the best option for panfish in nine to 12 feet of
water.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA

The biggest bass and panfish continue to be caught on the deep
weedlines during midday hours. You will find some big bass on the
docks during low-light periods as well. Large plastics are
producing muskies, most of which are tight to the bottom in 15 to
18 feet, on the east side of Brown’s Bay and Cook’s Bay.
Spinnerbaits tipped with sucker minnows are triggering northern
pike on the weedlines of Excelsior Bay and Smith’s Bay.

Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE

A jig and minnow started producing walleyes in six feet of water
near Gold Portage in Black Bay and in Saginaw Bay in 10 to 12 feet.
Minnows also are working for walleyes at Fox Islands in 34 to 38
feet. You’ll find big crappies in Black Bay over eight to 10 feet,
just not a lot of numbers. Northern pike action is slow, but the
Rainy River is producing numbers of smallmouth bass.

Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

Walleyes are hitting crawlers and leeches on four- to six-foot
Lindy Rigs in the eight- to 11-foot weedbeds near Little Stoney
Point, Raven’s Point, and Sugar Point. Spoons and crankbaits are
turning northern pike on the west- and east-side weed edges. Look
for perch at the mouth of the river on the west side and on the 11-
to 15-foot rock humps.

Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO

Spinner rigs and crawlers are producing walleyes in 20 to 30 feet
on the St. Croix River and the smallmouth bass bite has been
excellent along the shorelines. Crappies are being found in 15 to
20 feet as are sunfish in 10 to 15 feet at Big Carnelian Lake and
Lake Peltier. Plastics and topwater baits are turning largemouth
bass at Big Marine Lake and Demonterville Lake. Catfish are an easy
catch at lakes such as Tanners, Beaver, and Silver with
cutbait.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO

Despite high water, catfish action is going strong on the Minnesota
River. Sunfish are hitting in six feet on the north side of Pierson
Lake and in 12 feet on the east end of Lake Auburn. Work the north
end of Steiger Lake with sucker minnows or spoons for northern
pike. Bass fishing has been consistent with topwater baits during
low-light periods and in 15 feet with plastics during the day at
Lake Bavaria and Lake Zumbra.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA

BullDawgs continue to raise muskies on Center Reef, Kegg’s Reef,
and Pillsbury Reef. Work the 10- to 14-foot weedlines on the south
shore and Center Reef for sunfish. A few walleyes are being taken
on fathead minnows on the deep breaks near Cemetery Reef, North
Reef, and Kegg’s. Bass are being found along the pencil reeds or in
the 10- to 16-foot weed pockets.

Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096

Statewide

ANNANDALE AREA

You’ll find sunfish in the eight- to 15-foot weeds of lakes Sylvia,
John, Pleasant, and Sugar. Northern pike are hitting minnows on the
weedlines of Pleasant and Granite Lake. Bass action remains
consistent on the remaining weedbeds of French Lake, Clearwater
Lake, Sylvia, and Pleasant. Walleye reports have been poor and you
will find crappies suspended over 10 to 18 feet on most
lakes.

Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297 www.littlejimssports.com

BATTLE LAKE

Walleyes continue to be taken on a jig and minnow during the day or
Rapalas at night in eight to 15 feet on Otter Tail Lake. Crawlers
are working best for walleyes on West Battle Lake in 20 to 30 feet
and on Star Lake in 20 feet. Sunfish action remains strong on top
of the 14- to 20-foot weeds of Stalker Lake, Lake Marion,
Clitherall Lake, and Star. Muskies are hitting CowGirls in 20 feet
on West Battle and bass remain active in the deep weeds of most
lakes. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 16 to 23 feet at
Otter Tail and West Battle.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Walleyes are being caught right in the weeds with bass on Gull
Lake, in 14 to 18 feet, or 28 to 30 feet on North Long Lake and
Gull with minnows and live-bait rigs. Spoons, crankbaits, and
minnows are producing northern pike in 14 to 25 feet on Gull and
Whitefish Lake. Sunfish action has really improved this week with
most fish being found in less than 10 feet and largemouth bass are
an easy catch in the deep weeds during midday hours on most
lakes.

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

CROSS LAKE AREA

Walleye action has been “fair” at Pelican Lake, Whitefish Lake, and
many surrounding lakes. Slip bobbers and leeches in 14 to 18 feet,
Lindy Rigs and redtail minnows in 24 to 26 feet, and trolling
crankbaits over 20 to 25 feet have all turned a few ‘eyes. Northern
pike remain active on the outside weed edges and bass are hitting
plastics and crankbaits in the weeds. Look for panfish in 14 to 18
feet on most lakes.

Crosslake Holiday Sports (218) 692-2708

DETROIT LAKES

Minnows are working best for walleyes in 15 to 20 feet at Big
Detroit Lake or in 20 to 25 feet at Big Cormorant Lake and Pelican
Lake. Muskie action has been slower, but you’ll still raise fish
with CowGirls at Pelican and Big Detroit. You’ll find sunfish tight
to the weedlines and crappies suspended off them at Big Detroit,
Big Cormorant, Lake Sallie, and Floyd Lake.

Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

ELY AREA

The White Iron Chain is kicking out bluegills near rice and shallow
weeds. Walleyes are hitting leeches during the morning on the 10-
to 20-foot reefs of Basswood Lake and in 16 to 22 feet at White
Iron Lake. Smallmouth are hitting on Shagawa Lake and some lake
trout can be had over 65 feet at Snowbank Lake.

The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744

EMILY AREA

Anglers trolling Shad Raps at night are catching walleyes on the
north end of Lake Washburn. It’s worth long-lining crankbaits at
night over deep water for walleyes on Roosevelt Lake as well. Work
the weedlines of Ruth Lake with plastics for largemouth bass.
Crappies are being found suspended over 18 to 20 feet at East Fox
Lake. On Lake Emily, spoons are turning northern pike along the
weedlines.

Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

FARIBAULT AREA

Look for suspended crappies over 20 feet at French Lake. On the 12-
to 15-foot bars of Lake Mazaska, anglers are finding a mixed bag of
fish including sunfish, northern pike, and crappies. The weeds of
West Cedar Lake also are producing crappies and a few muskies
continue to be caught at French Lake during the morning
hours.

Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

Crankbaits trolled over deep water are producing northern pike at
Lake Wabana, Trout Lake, and Lake Pokegama. The shallow weeds of
lakes Pokegama, Rice, and Sugar are safe bets for crappies. Work
the weeds of Lake Jessie and 18 to 22 feet on Trout Lake with
leeches or crawlers for walleyes. The deep weedlines of Bass Lake
are kicking out bluegills and muskie action has slightly improved
at Moose Lake and Deer Lake during low-light periods.

Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

LAKE KABETOGAMA

Walleyes are being found on the 30-foot rock piles, reefs, and reef
edges with most being caught on a jig and minnow. Better spots
include Center Reef, Martin Islands, and Cuculus. Crankbaits
continue to produce northern pike on or near the weeds in Mud Bay,
Daily Bay, and Nebraska Bay. Smallmouth bass can be had along most
shorelines with spinnerbaits or crankbaits.

Gateway Store (218) 875-2121

www.gatewaygeneral.com

LAKE VERMILION

Walleyes have been hitting crawlers and leeches on the weedlines
with some fish being caught on the 20-foot humps and flats. Muskie
action is tough, but the northern pike and smallmouth bass bites
remain hot. Look to the reefs for smallies and to the weeds for
pike.

Lake Vermilion Trading Company

(218) 666-6052

lakevermiliontradingco.com

MANKATO AREA

Catfish have started hitting on the Minnesota River and you’ll hook
a few walleyes with jigs and Twister Tails along the creek mouths
of the Minnesota. Look to the docks of Madison Lake and Lake
Washington for panfish. Spoon plugs or sucker minnows are producing
northern pike on Big Jefferson Lake. Bass are hitting best during
the morning hours at Lura Lake and German Lake.

The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Crankbaits trolled at night in eight to 16 feet have produced a few
walleyes at Long Lake. Lake George is kicking out pike in 14 feet
via sucker minnows. Wacky-rigged worms are the ticket for bass on
the weedlines of Fish Hook Lake. Lake Belle Taine remains the
area’s best option for bluegills in 12 to 14 feet. There’s a
topwater bite at night on Big Mantrap Lake for muskies and rainbow
trout are being found with crawlers at Bad Medicine Lake over deep
water.

Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

RED RIVER

Size is lacking, but good numbers of catfish continue to be caught
in the Grand Forks area. The best bite has been tight in the wood
in eight to 12 feet, although a few larger fish have been pulled
from the deep holes near snags. A cut, frozen sucker has been best
in the wood. The deep holes and troughs in the Drayton stretch are
producing big cats, but not a lot of numbers. Better baits here
have been goldeyes or fresh cut suckers.

Brad Durick Outdoors (701) 739-5808

www.redrivercatfish.com

RED WING AREA

Trolling crankbaits in 12 to 18 feet on Maiden Rock Flats and in
the Rush River area has produced walleyes. Big pike continue to be
caught on sucker minnows at the Maple Springs area in three feet.
Work the Bay City docks for panfish and catfish are being caught on
stinkbait or sucker minnows below the dam in 17 to 20 feet.

Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111

Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334