Regional fishing reports

[Lee Borgersen]

                         State fishing reports

 

 
Big Stone Lake: According to Schmidt's Landing Resort, perch seem to be the best option for anglers in areas such as Windmill Reef, Manhattan Reef and the Lagoona Beach area, on nightcrawlers or minnows. For walleyes, some anglers are pulling crankbaits or bottom bouncers with spinner baits in about 13-14 feet during the day and 9-10 feet during the evening.

Chisago City area: Bass are hitting on plastics, crankbaits or spinner baits on lakes such as Chisago, North Center or South Center at shallow depths or near weedlines. Walleye action has picked up on Chisago on fathead minnows or shiners at 8-14 feet on weed edges. Northerns are taking sucker minnows under bobbers on Chisago. Panfish action has been good on most area lakes.

Lake Vermilion: According to Joe Kruchowski of Northwoods Bait and Tackle, fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass has been very productive using leeches on weed edges and on breaks at 3-10 feet. Walleye action has slowed, but Kruchowski said anglers can try pulling Lindy Rigs at 10-15 feet or jigging vertically at about 25 feet with rainbow minnows. Muskie action has been slow the past 7-10 days because of a tullibee die-off but should pick up again. Bluegill action has been very good.

Lake of the Woods: Downrigging and drifting with nightcrawlers and spinner baits is producing the best walleye action on the north side of the lake in about 28-31 feet. Anglers can also try fishing around the rockpiles for good walleye action. Northerns can be caught in shallows.

Leech Lake: Anglers are catching walleyes near Submarine Island and the south-end rocks, using nightcrawlers in 14-18 feet. Another good spot for walleyes is Sucker Bay in the deeper weed patches near the Hardwoods or pulling crankbaits during the evenings in about 9-14 feet. Muskie action has been the best on Portage Bay or the shallow rocks on the south end.