HACKENSACK 8/8

[Realtree]

HACKENSACK - Swanson's Bait & Tackle, Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack, www.swansonsbait.com (218-675-6176)

The best fishing the past few days has been on lakes that you cannot keep the fish.  If you are a catch and release angler looking for a lot of action and nice fish this report is for you.  Bass action was very good on Stony Lake over the weekend.  I talked to multiple groups that did very well with numbers as well as size.  Stony Lake's bass regulation requires that all bass over 12" be returned to the water immediately.  The regulation does allow one bass over 20" for that fish of a lifetime.  With the clear water on Stony and the sunny skies, natural colors were the key to success.  Brown, Black, and Green Spinnerbaits or Watermelon colored plastic worms work well.  Today is a little bit overcast; an orange or chartreuse may work also.  The other spot to sport fish is Ten Mile Lake for Northern Pike.  There has been a regulation in effect for 10 years now on the northern pike.   All fish over 20" must be released, no trophy exceptions either.    In the past few years the pike numbers have increased as has their size.   Trolling in 25-30 feet of water during the day has been productive.  There are also a number of nice Northern being caught trolling in the deep water an hour before sunset.  Black and silver lures have been working well.  I also like a Firetiger Shad Rap for the pike out there; it has worked well for me in the past.  For those looking for a fish dinner, the Crappie action has remained hot.  Birch Lake and Pleasant Lake are still holding Crappies in 14-16 feet of water, above the weeds.  One group reported a mess of nice perch caught on Leech Lake along with a few nice sunfish.