Statewide Minnesota Fishing Report – June 12th, 2015

ALEXANDRIA AREA

Sunfish are now being found along the shorelines of most lakes, and crappies are being caught on the shallow weeds of Reno Lake, Lake Ida, Lake Darling, and Lake Carlos. Hit Lake Miltona or Lake Mary with leeches for walleyes in 12 to 16 feet and bass fishing continues to be very good on most lakes in 4 to 8 feet.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle       (320) 763-3255
 

ANNANDALE AREA

Lindy rigs or jigs tipped with leeches or fathead minnows are producing walleyes at Clearwater Lake and Cedar Lake in 12 to 18 feet. Sunfish are set up on the sand-covered shorelines of Sugar Lake, Pleasant Lake, Lake Sylvia, Clearwater, and Cedar among others. Northern pike and crappies have moved to the tops or edges of the weedlines on most lakes and bass are now being caught from the shorelines out to 10 feet on most lakes.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE

Sunfish action has really picked up on all lakes in 3 to 7 feet of water, while crappies have moved slightly deeper, 8 to 15 feet, on Stalker Lake, West Battle Lake, Clitherall Lake, and Silver Lake. Minnows or leeches are producing walleyes in 14 to 28 feet on Otter Tail Lake, West Battle Lake, and Ten Mile Lake. Bass fishing remains strong on most lakes in 3 to 7 feet and northern pike are sitting on the 10- to 12-foot weedlines of Otter Tail, West Battle, Blanche Lake, and Donald Lake.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA

Minnows and leeches are turning walleyes in 10 to 14 feet on Wolf Lake, Lake Andrusia, Lake Plantagenet, and Lake Bemidji. Bass are being caught with plastics in 3 to 6 feet on Balm Lake and Buck Lake, while Turtle River Lake, Big Turtle Lake, and Walker Brook Lake are safe bets for panfish in less than 8 feet.
Taber’s Bait (218) 751-5781 

BLACKDUCK AREA

Leeches, nightcrawlers, and minnows all continue to trigger walleyes in 10 to 15 feet at Gull Lake, Island Lake, and Blackduck Lake. Northern pike and bass are being found along the shorelines out to the first established weedline on most lakes. Look to the bulrushes for crappies and sunfish at Gilstead Lake, Pimushe Lake, Rabideau Lake, Gull, and Blackduck.
Timberline Sports and Tackle
(218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Minnows, leeches, and crawlers are all in the mix for walleyes in 15 to 18 feet on North Long Lake, 12 to 18 feet on Gull Lake, and 20 to 30 feet at Whitefish Lake. Hit the shallow weeds and reeds on Upper Gull Lake, Lake Edwards, Nisswa Lake, Cullen Lake, Gull, and North Long for panfish. Bass and northern pike are hitting on the shallow weeds and shallow structure of most lakes.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League      (218) 829-7010

CASS LAKE AREA

Most main lake points and bars are now holding walleyes in 15 to 20 feet on Cass Lake and there is fish being caught here on crankbaits during low-light periods. Minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers are turning walleyes on the eastern shoreline of Pike Bay Lake in 15 to 18 feet. Midge Lake, Kitchi Lake, Grace Lake, and Lake Andrusia are producing panfish, northern pike, and bass in shallow water. Muskie reports from opening weekend were slow with limited fishing pressure.
Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831

CHISAGO AREA
Walleyes continue to hit leeches during the evening in 10 to 12 feet at Green Lake, Chisago Lake, and North Center Lake. Look for bass, sunfish, and crappies in the 4- to 8-foot weeds on Chisago, North Center, South Center Lake, North Lindstrom Lake, and South Lindstrom Lake. 
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

CROSBY AREA

Leeches continue to produce walleyes on the points of Serpent Lake in 14 to 18 feet, while the weedlines on Lower Mission Lake remain a safe bet for northern pike. You’ll find bluegills in 1 to 4 feet and crappies in 6 to 12 feet on Bay Lake, Mahnomen Lake, and Serpent. Anglers fishing with crankbaits from boats are catching rainbow trout, most of which are suspended 30 feet down at Huntington Pit and Pennington Pit. Anglers fishing from shore also are catching trout on Manuel Pit. Largemouth and smallmouth bass remain active along the weedlines or shallow rocks on most lakes.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle                     (218) 546-6912

DETROIT LAKES

Crappies are being caught on the emerging weedlines and sunfish are sitting in less than 6 feet on Little Detroit Lake, Deadshot Bay, Floyd Lake, Sour Lake, Little Pelican Lake, and Big Detroit Lake. Leeches, nightcrawlers, and minnows are producing walleyes in 12 to 18 feet at Big Detroit, Upper Cormorant Lake, Lake Melissa, and Pelican Lake. Bass and northern pike are hanging on the weed edges of most lakes and muskie reports have been limited.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Lake trout are hitting jigs or ciscoes over 20 to 35 feet at Greenwood Lake, Saganaga Lake, Gunflint Lake, and Loon Lake. Minnows or leeches are producing walleyes in 12 to 15 feet at Seagull Lake, Two Island Lake, Cascade Lake, and Pine Lake. Smallmouth bass fishing remains strong on most lakes in 5 to 8 feet and minnows or crankbaits are producing northern pike in 6 to 12 feet on Poplar Lake and Hungry Jack Lake. Hit Esther Lake for splake in 8 to 12 feet or Carrot Lake in 8 to 10 feet for brook trout.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

Crappies and sunfish continue to be caught in the bulrushes of Big Splithand Lake, Lake Pokegama, Lake Wabana, Deer Lake, and Trout Lake. Walleyes can be had with a jig and minnow in 10 to 20 feet on Sugar Lake or with leeches and minnows on the weedlines of Pokegama and Wabana, and in 7 to 12 feet on Deer during the evening hours. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are being found on the weedlines or rock piles on most lakes, but muskie reports have been limited. 
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

GREY EAGLE AREA

Leeches are best for walleyes on Swan Lake in 15 to 20 feet, Big Birch Lake in 12 to 32 feet, and Little Birch Lake in 11 to 13 feet of water. Pike also can be had with minnows or spoons at Swan in 12 to 15 feet, while crappies and sunfish continue to be found in shallow water on Big Birch, Mound Lake, St. Mary’s Lake, and Pine Lake.
Nancy’s Bait & Tackle (320) 285-2405

LAKE KABETOGAMA

Walleyes seem to be biting at a variety of depths although the morning and evening hours have been most productive in 18 to 25 feet with leeches and crawlers. During the day, 25 to 35 feet is providing better walleye and perch action with live bait. Northern pike also are all over the lake at various depths, but consistently found along most deep weedlines and smallmouth bass are hitting crankbaits along most rocky shorelines.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121

MANKATO AREA

Walleyes continue to be caught on jigs tipped with minnows or plastics on the Blue Earth and Minnesota rivers. Hit Lake Washington for panfish in 3 to 6 feet and Washington also remains the best option for walleyes in 18 feet off Second Point during the evening hours.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

MONTICELLO AREA

The weedlines on Little Eagle Lake, Indian Lake, Big Eagle Lake, and Lake Constance are producing crappies. Sunfish and bass continue to be found in less than 6 feet on most lakes, but some have started to move out to the first established weedline. Smallmouth bass fishing on the Mississippi River continues to be good and don’t overlook the river for walleyes as well. 
Monticello Bait & Tackle (763) 295-1187

MORA AREA

Crankbaits continue to produce a few walleyes during low-light periods in less than 6 feet at Knife Lake, while Ann Lake, Fish Lake, Mud Lake, and Knife are giving up sunfish in 2 to 6 feet. 
Jerry’s Sport & Bait Shop (320) 679-2151

ORTONVILLE AREA

Trolling crankbaits or spinner rigs tipped with crawlers and leeches has produced walleyes on Big Stone Lake in 10 to 12 feet during the day. During low-light periods, slip bobbers and leeches are turning walleyes on the shallower rock piles and off docks. The Minnesota River is giving up pike and the occasional walleye, and the south end of Big Stone is worth hitting for bass and crappies in 6 feet.
Artie’s Bait (320) 839-2480 

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Walleyes are hitting minnows, nightcrawlers, and leeches in 12 to 20 feet on Island Lake, Potato Lake, Fish Hook Lake, and Long Lake. The Crow Wing Chain of Lakes remains the area’s best option for panfish in 4 to 10 feet and Big Mantrap Lake continues to produce pike on sucker minnows in 10 to 12 feet. 
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
Smokey Hills Outdoors (218) 237-5099

PERHAM AREA

A jig and minnow or Lindy rig and leech is turning walleyes in 5 to 10 feet of water or 30 to 35 feet on Big Pine and Little Pine lakes. Panfish reports remain strong in the bulrushes or shallow sand areas of Star Lake, Dead Lake, Lake Marion, Little McDonald Lake, and Big Pine. Northern pike and bass are easy to find along the shallow weedlines of most lakes.
Gene’s Sport Shop (218) 346-3355

RED WING AREA

Crappies and sunfish are being caught by anglers in the back channels and bays off the main river. You’ll find walleyes and a few saugers in 15 feet of water on Lake Pepin – the Maiden Rock area remains the best location. Both flathead and channel catfish reports remain strong in the deeper holes of the Mississippi River.
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA

Sunfish action has heated up in 1 to 4 feet of water on Horseshoe Lake, Becker Lake, Rice Lake, Long Lake, Lake Koronis, Grand Lake, and Cedar Island Lake. Walleye action has been best during the evening hours on Koronis in 8 to 14 feet  of water and there’s also been a few fish coming off Horseshoe in 10 to 16 feet of water. Bass fishing remains strong from the shorelines and docks out to 8 feet of water on most lakes. 
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA

Crappies have started to move slightly deeper and are now weedline-related on lakes such as Sauk and Osakis; these lakes are giving up sunfish in shallow water as well. Northern pike continue to be caught on minnows or spoons at Guerney Lake, Westport Lake, Grove Lake, and Maple Lake. Walleye reports remain good with anglers fishing with minnows or leeches at Osakis in 8 to 14 feet and Sauk in 8 to 12 feet. 
Fletcher’s Bait Shop (320) 352-2155

STAPLES/LITTLE FALLS AREA

Walleyes and northern pike can be had on the weedlines of Lake Alexander with crankbaits. Largemouth bass and sunfish are hitting in less than 5 feet on Pierz Lake and Green Prairie Lake, and the weed edges on Alexander continue to produce crappies. On the Mississippi River, catfish are hitting crawlers, and walleyes can be had with minnows on the current breaks and in deeper pockets.
Da Fishin’ Hole (320) 631-0056

WATERVILLE AREA

Leeches are producing some walleyes on the 12-foot weed edge throughout Lake Tetonka. The DNR Bay on Tetonka is worth hitting for crappies and catfish, especially during the evening hours. Northern pike continue to hit sucker minnows on the weedlines of Lake Sakatah throughout the day.
Axel’s Tackle Box (507) 362-4444

WILLMAR AREA

Leeches and nightcrawlers are producing walleyes on Eagle Lake, Lake Andrew, and Diamond Lake in 15 to 20 feet or on Big Kandi Lake in less than 10 feet. On Green Lake, live bait is turning walleyes in 25 to 32 feet during the evening hours. Look for sunfish along the shorelines in 1 to 5 feet at lakes Florida, Nest, Norway/Games, Willmar/Foot, Andrew, and Eagle. Smallmouth bass are hitting on Green and Nest, while largemouth bass are an easy catch on most lakes in 5 to 8 feet. 
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097

WINDOM/MARSHALL AREA

Rapalas continue to provide consistent walleye action in 5 to 8 feet of water at Rock Lake, Lake Yankton, Dane Lake, Dead Coon Lake, Lake Benton, and Steep Bank Lake. Some panfish are being caught in 3 to 6 feet on area lakes and northern pike seem to be mixed with the walleyes on all the aforementioned lakes. 
Borch’s Sporting Goods (507) 532-4880