AREA FISHING REPORT

[Lee Borgersen]

                       AREA FISHING REPORT :fishing2:


 LAKE OF THE WOODS

Walleyes are hitting gold or pink jigs and minnows in 26 to 30 feet of water in the Morris Point Gap and Lighthouse Gap areas. Walleyes also are being taken on the structure near Long Point and Rocky Point. At the Northwest Angle, jigs and minnows are producing walleyes in 9 to 28 feet, with the wind-swept points proving consistent in shallow water.

DEVILS LAKE

Water temperatures fell to the mid-50s during the recent cool snap, and fishing has been best during warmer weather, reports Devils Lake fishing guide Mark Bry. Crankbaits, jigs and soft plastics, leeches fished below slip bobbers and bottom bouncer-spinner rigs all are catching fish, he said. Most walleyes are in the 15- to 22-inch range, Bry said, with lots of white bass up to 17 inches and several pike weighing more than 10 pounds.

RED RIVER

Catfishing on the Red River around Grand Forks is holding steady with good numbers of fish being reported, according to Grand Forks catfish guide Brad Durick. Look for the cats just off the first dropoff from the bank, around wood piles and near faster water dropoffs. For bigger fish, anchor along deep cuts with current and logjams near deep water. Sucker minnows are the bait of choice, but a few anglers have reported success with manufactured “stink” baits, as well.

UPPER RED LAKE

When the wind cooperates, jigs or spinner rigs tipped with shiners or leeches have produced walleyes along the shorelines in 5 to 8 feet of water. Wind has limited crappie and northern pike action.

BEMIDJI AREA

Jigs and minnows or crawlers are producing walleyes in 8 to 12 feet of water on Cass Lake and in 6 to 12 feet on Lake Bemidji and Lake Irving. Look for sunfish along the shorelines and crappies in the cabbage of Grace Lake and Kitchi Lake. Perch action on Blackduck Lake remains strong in 10 to 12 feet of water.

LEECH LAKE

Jigs and minnows or nightcrawlers are triggering walleyes in 6 to 8 feet of water off Pine Point, Grassy Island and the Two Points area. Look to the Hardwoods in 6 to 12 feet for walleyes, along with the humps in Walker Bay for the occasional big walleye. Crappies are being found in the reeds and cabbage, while bluegills are moving along the shorelines of Shingobee Bay.

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

The wind-driven sides of the lake have been best for walleyes, with a jig and minnow or leech and live-bait rig working best. Rich’s Townsite Landing and Little Stony Point have given up walleyes in 6 to 14 feet, the Highbanks area is a good bet in 6 to 12 feet and the “bird houses” area and Sugar Point are producing fish in 6 to 13 feet of water. The west side of the lake has been best for perch in 8 to 10 feet of water, and northern pike are hitting in 12 to 14 feet along with the walleyes.

DETROIT LAKES

Crappies and bluegills are mixed together over 10 feet of water on lakes Melissa, Sour, Floyd and Big Detroit. Walleyes are taking leeches and minnows in 17 to 21 feet on Melissa, Lake Sallie and Pelican Lake. Bass and northern pike are hitting spinnerbaits in the shallow to mid-depth weeds of most lakes.

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Northern pike are hitting crankbaits and sucker minnows in 14 feet on Fish Hook Lake. Look for walleyes to take leeches in 18 to 20 feet on Big Sand Lake, Long Lake and Potato Lake. Smallmouth bass are hitting on the shorelines of Potato, and Fish Hook is giving up largemouth bass. Panfish remain active in 4 to 8 feet on Long, Fish Hook and the Crow Wing chain of lakes.