MN: Muskie reports improve as warm weather and sun arrive Issue: 27

Big Six

LAKE MILLE LACS

East – The night bite for walleyes remains excellent; use slip
bobbers and leeches on the six- to 12-foot rock piles. During the
day, live bait rigs and spinner rigs tipped with leeches or
crawlers are producing walleyes on the mud and gravel in 25 feet or
more. Muskie action is slow, but there’s no problem catching
smallmouth bass on the reefs.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

www.johnsonsportside.com

West – Work the tops and edges of the mud flats with spinners or
live bait rigs during the day for walleyes. At night, slip bobbers
and leeches are producing fish off the flats in 27 to 30 feet.
Smallmouth bass remain active on the weedlines and shallow rocks,
and they seem to be hitting anything thrown their direction.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

www.terrysboatharbor.com

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Jigs and spinner rigs tipped with shiner minnows, crawlers, or
leeches continue to produce walleyes along the south end in 26 to
32 feet. Walleyes also are coming off the main lake reefs, and
there is some downrigging action for walleyes in deeper water. At
the Northwest Angle, minnows continue to trigger walleyes in 24 to
28 feet, and the smallmouth bass action has been strong around the
islands.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau

(800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE

Crawlers and leeches are turning walleyes in 15 to 22 feet near
Submarine Island, the Annex, and rock piles on the south end. Slip
bobbers and crankbaits are producing walleyes at night in nine to
14 feet off Sand Point. The reeds in Boy Bay are giving up
bluegills, and muskie reports have been limited to a few fish being
seen in Portage Bay.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA

Floating jigs tipped with crawlers or leeches are producing
walleyes on the 18- to 24-foot weeds of Lake Minnetonka. You’ll hit
pike on top of the 15-foot weeds with sucker minnows and find
sunfish and bass along the shorelines out to 15 feet on Minnetonka.
Sunfish and bass are hitting in 12 feet at Lake Sarah and Medicine
Lake. Slip bobbers and leeches have worked best for walleyes at
Lake Independence in 17 feet.

Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE

Minnows and leeches are turning walleyes in the Brule area and
Saginaw Bay in 10 to 12 feet. Sand Bay is producing walleyes in 28
to 30 feet, and you’ll find walleyes on the east-end reefs in 40 to
45 feet. Work the weedlines in Lost Bay with sucker minnows for
northern pike, and Black Bay continues to give up a few crappies in
six to eight feet.

Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

The majority of walleyes are now hitting leeches or crawlers on the
main lake bars and humps in 15 to 20 feet. With a strong wind,
you’ll still pop a few ‘eyes on the shallower structure, but not as
many. Perch are tough to find, and northern pike remain active
along the shoreline weeds.

Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO

Leeches and crawlers are turning walleyes on the St. Croix River in
20 to 30 feet. The shallow weeds on Demonterville Lake are worth
hitting for bass and northern pike. Look for suspended crappies
along the weedlines of Big Marine Lake. Muskie action is improving
at night on the 10- to 15-foot weeds of White Bear Lake.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO

Northern pike are hitting crankbaits in 12 to 14 feet on Lake Ann.
Look for sunfish in 12 feet at Lake Auburn and Lake Minnewashta.
Auburn is producing good numbers of bass along the 10- to 12-foot
weedlines. Spinnerbaits and sucker minnows are the ticket for pike
at Pierson Lake in 10 to 14 feet.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA

Look for sunfish along the docks on the south shore, in the pencil
reeds on the northwest side, or in 10 to 14 feet along Pillsbury
Reef. A few walleyes continue to hit at night in 12 to 18 feet on
Kegg’s Reef, Anderson’s Reef, and North Reef. Muskies are being
raised with bucktails and BullDawgs on the reefs, and bass continue
to hit in the 10- to 16-foot weeds.

Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096

www.intownemarina.com

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA

Work the weedlines of Lake Carlos and Lake Le Homme Dieu or 20 to
30 feet on Lake Miltona with leeches and crawlers for walleyes.
Crappies are showing up on the weedlines of Lake Reno, Darling
Lake, Lake Geneva, and Le Homme Dieu. Topwater baits have been
raising muskies on Miltona and Lobster Lake more
consistently.

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

ANNANDALE AREA

The weedlines of lakes John, Sylvia, Cedar, and Sugar are holding
sunfish. Walleyes are hitting leeches and crawlers in 16 to 26 feet
on Clearwater Lake, Cedar, and Pleasant Lake. Northern pike and
bass are hitting on the weedlines of most lakes, while muskie
action on Sugar Lake has been better in recent days. Crappies have
started suspending on the weedlines of Clearwater.

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

BATTLE LAKE

Live bait is working best for walleyes in five to 10 feet or 15 to
25 feet on Walker Lake, West Battle Lake, Otter Tail Lake, and Rush
Lake. Northern pike are an easy catch on the weedlines of Otter
Tail, West Battle, Clitherall Lake, and Fiske Lake, while the 15-
to 20-foot cabbage on West Battle is producing muskies. Crappies
are suspending over deep water on Clitherall and West Battle, and
sunfish remain shallow on most lakes. Bass action also is
consistent on most lakes along the shallow weeds and docks.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA

Crawlers and leeches have turned a few walleyes on Lake Bemidji in
eight to 12 feet or 16 to 22 feet. Muskie anglers are seeing better
action on Lake Plantagenet and Bemidji, but most fish aren’t
committing to baits. Bluegills are hitting in shallow water on
Grace Lake, Midge Lake, and Grant Lake.

Bluewater Outdoors

(218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BLACKDUCK AREA

Lindy rigs and live bait are producing walleyes in 12 to 15 feet on
Island Lake – there are plenty of smallmouth bass to be had here,
as well. Slip bobbers and leeches are working best for walleyes on
the six-foot weeds of Blackduck Lake. Bluegills are set up in eight
feet or less on Gull Lake, North Twin Lake, South Twin Lake, and
Lake Pimushe.

Timberline Sports and Tackle

(218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Walleye action has been best early and late in the day in 12 to 16
feet or 16 to 28 feet on Gull Lake, North Long Lake, Pelican Lake,
and Round Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 12 to
20 feet on Gull, North Long, and Lake Edwards. Bass fishing is
strong along the weedlines of all lakes, and look for panfish in
the shallow to mid-depth weeds.

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

CASS LAKE

A jig and minnow combo is producing a few walleyes on Tom’s Bar,
North Cedar Bar, and East Cedar Bar in eight to 10 feet. The bigger
northern pike are hitting in 30 feet off Deadman’s Bar, and you’ll
find perch in the seven- to nine-foot cabbage. Look for bluegills
in 12 to 14 feet throughout Allen’s Bay. Muskie action has been
slow.

Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831 sunsetcove-resort.com

CHISAGO AREA

Sunfish action remains strong in six to eight feet on Chisago Lake,
North Center Lake, South Center Lake, and South Lindstrom Lake.
Sucker minnows and bobbers are producing northern pike in 15 feet
on Green Lake. Slip bobbers and leeches are turning walleyes during
low-light periods on Chisago on the eight-foot weedlines or in 28
feet. Bass fishing is excellent in the deep weed and rocks of most
lakes, and Sunrise Lake is giving up northern pike and crappies in
12 feet.

Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

DETROIT LAKES

Look for walleyes from the weedlines out to 20 feet on Big Detroit
Lake, Little Pine Lake, Big Cormorant Lake, and Pelican Lake. The
shorelines of Deadshot Bay, Lake Melissa, Floyd Lake, Severson
Lake, and Little Detroit Lake are producing sunfish. Muskie action
is picking up on topwater baits on the weedlines of Pelican and Big
Detroit. Bass and pike are hitting on most lakes, while a few
crappies are being found suspended over 20 feet on Big Detroit,
Melissa, and Floyd.

Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA

Walleyes and northern pike remain active on Rice Lake in less than
six feet. Comstock Lake is kicking out walleyes, as is Island Lake
in 15 to 20 feet. Muskie action has picked up on the St. Louis
River on topwater baits and bucktails. Spoons are working best for
lake trout and cohos in the Knife River area of Lake Superior about
20 to 40 feet down.

Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

ELY AREA

Walleyes, northern pike, and smallmouth bass are all hanging in 17
to 20 feet on lakes Shagawa, Burntside, Snowbank, White Iron, and
Basswood. A slowly presented minnow or leech is the best option.
Start looking for the smallmouths to move shallower as the water
warms.

The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744

EMILY AREA

Spoons tossed on the weedlines of Upper Dean Lake are turning
northern pike. East Fox Lake is a safe bet for panfish in 10 to 12
feet, and you’ll hit sunfish on the north end of Ruth Lake in six
to 10 feet. Smallmouth bass are hitting in the shallows of Mitchell
Lake, and there is some walleye action over deep water at night on
Roosevelt Lake by long-lining crankbaits.

Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

FAIRMONT AREA

Bluegills and crappies are being found along the shorelines and
docks of lakes Sissiton, Hall, and Budd. The moving-water areas of
these lakes also are producing walleyes. The 12-foot weedline of
Fox Lake is giving up a few muskies, and you’ll catch sunfish here
in six to 12 feet. Look to North Silver Lake for perch in three to
six feet, while crankbaits are turning walleyes and northern pike
on Tuttle Lake in three to six feet.

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

FARIBAULT AREA

Hit Roberds Lake in six to 12 feet for sunfish, bass, and northern
pike. Cedar Lake is giving up sunfish and crappies in six to 12
feet, and French Lake is a safe bet for sunfish in six to eight
feet. Sucker minnows are turning catfish near the bridge on Cannon
Lake. The weedlines of Kelley Dudley Lake and Lake Mazaska are
producing northern pike.

Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Slip bobbers and leeches are turning walleyes during the evening
hours in 12 to 15 feet on Seagull Lake and Hungry Jack Lake.
Smallmouth bass are hitting everything in shallow water on Poplar
Lake, Crescent Lake, Seagull, and Hungry Jack. Rainbow trout
continue to be taken on crawlers in 12 feet on Leo Lake and Trout
Lake and in 18 feet on Seagull. You’ll find lake trout 25 feet down
on lakes Daniels and Mayhew.

Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

The 18- to 24-foot humps and breaks on Bowstring Lake, Sand Lake,
and Jessie Lake are holding walleyes. Work the 12- to 20-foot
weedlines of lakes Wabana, Deer, Trout, and Sugar for walleyes, as
well. Sunfish remain shallow at Big Splithand, Little Splithand,
Bass Lake, and the bays of the Mississippi River. There’s some
evening crappie action on the weedlines of Lake Pokegama.

Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

LAKE KABETOGAMA

Walleyes are being taken early and late in the day with crawlers on
the reefs, Mud Bay, Daily Bay, Nebraska Bay, and Lost Bay. The key
has been to get your crawler off the bottom a bit. These bays also
will produce northern pike, and most shorelines are now holding
smallmouth bass. Generally speaking, any area with moving water is
producing a mixed bag of fish.

Gateway Store (218) 875-2121

www.gatewaygeneral.com

LAKE VERMILION

A slowly presented live bait rig tipped with a minnow or piece of
crawler is turning walleyes on the sand reefs in 18 to 26 feet. The
sand breaks on the west end are holding walleyes in 19 to 26 feet,
as well. Muskie action has slightly improved, and smallmouth bass
are hitting in the shallows.

Lake Vermilion Guides League

www.lakevermilionguidesleague.com

MANKATO AREA

The narrows and Cow Bar on Madison Lake are giving up crappies.
Look to the weedlines of Baker’s Bay on Lake Washington for panfish
and northern pike. Although the current is still swift, anglers are
getting on the Minnesota River and catching walleyes and
catfish.

The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

ORTONVILLE AREA

The docks and weeds along the south end of Big Stone Lake are
producing bluegills and perch. Walleyes can be had on Big Stone on
slip bobbers and leeches on the eight-foot weedlines around the
islands, or with spinner rigs near Rocky Ledge in 12 feet. Spinners
and leeches are producing walleyes on the west side of Lake Oliver
in 15 feet, and the Minnesota River continues to kick out
catfish.

Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Walleyes are being taken with slip bobbers and leeches during
low-light periods on Long Lake in 27 feet or with live bait rigs at
Fish Hook Lake in 18 to 24 feet. Spinnerbaits are triggering bass
on most lakes, and Big Mantrap Lake is giving up northern pike via
spoons or crankbaits in 14 feet. Rainbow trout are suspended over
deep water and are hitting crawlers or Power Bait on Long and Bad
Medicine Lake. Muskie anglers are seeing more fish on Big Mantrap,
and the Crow Wing Chain, Eagle Lake, and Island Lake are producing
bluegills in shallow water.

Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

PERHAM AREA

Shad Raps are turning walleyes on Little Pine Lake in eight to 10
feet, while leeches are working best in 18 feet on Big Pine Lake.
Crawlers and leeches are producing walleyes on Star Lake in 20 to
25 feet. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits on the weedlines of Dead
Lake and Rush Lake. The 10- to 12-foot cabbage of most small lakes
is kicking out panfish.

Gene’s Sport Shop (218) 346-3355

PINE CITY AREA

On Cross Lake and Lake Pokegama, sunfish are being found in seven
to 10 feet, crappies are suspended over 14 to 18 feet, and northern
pike are biting in eight to 10 feet. Work the nine- to 11-foot
weedline on Knife Lake with Rapalas for walleyes. Knife also is
giving up panfish in eight to 10 feet, and northern pike near the
river mouth in seven to 10 feet. The 14- to 16-foot rocks on East
Rush and West Rush lakes are giving up walleyes via crawlers.
You’ll also hit suspended crappies on these lakes over 20
feet.

Red’s Bait & Tackle (320) 629-1154

RED LAKE

Limits of walleyes continue to be caught throughout the lake.
Crankbaits have been most productive, although spinner rigs and
minnows and leeches also work. The north and east shoreline breaks
have been the best options in five to nine feet, but there are
plenty of fish on the south shore rock humps and bars in six to 10
feet, as well.

Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657

Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128

RED WING AREA

Smallmouth bass are hitting on the rocks, and white bass seem to be
hitting everywhere throughout the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin.
Crawlers and crankbaits are working best for walleyes on the flats
during the day in 12 to 15 feet, or during low-light periods in
five to eight feet. Work the Bay City docks for crappies and the
Rush River area for northern pike.

Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111

Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA

Look for sunfish in four to eight feet on Lake Koronis, Long Lake,
and Pearl Lake. A few walleyes have been taken during low-light
periods in 20 to 22 feet on Koronis and Rice Lake. Northern pike
are hitting sucker minnows or spoons on the weedlines of Koronis,
Rice, and Horseshoe Lake. Catfish continue to hit throughout the
Sauk River.

Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA

Redtails and leeches are producing walleyes at Sauk Lake in six to
20 feet, and you’ll find crappies and northern pike along the
weedlines here. Live bait rigs and leeches are turning walleyes on
the north-end bars of Lake Osakis in 18 to 24 feet. There’s a
low-light walleye bite on Lake Amelia with redtails in 18 to 32
feet. Work the weed pockets of lakes Fairy and Maple for
bluegills.

Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155

STARBUCK AREA

Crappies continue to be caught in the Starbuck Marina, and a few
sunfish can be had in the shallow weeds of Lake Minnewaska.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass action has picked up on Minnewaska,
and an occasional walleye is being caught here off the points
during low-light periods.

Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239

WILLMAR AREA

Slip bobbers and leeches are turning walleyes in shallow water on
Long Lake and Lake Solomon. Lindy Rigs and leeches are working best
for ‘eyes on Green Lake in 30 to 35 feet. Bass fishing is excellent
on all lakes, and sunfish continue to be caught around the docks
and shorelines of lakes Florida, Eagle, Andrew, Games, and
Nest.

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