The MN Fishing Report: Where, what they're biting

[sandmannd]

Minnesota Large Lakes / LAKE MILLE LACS

East - Limits of walleyes continue to be caught on the 22- to 25-foot gravel and mud during the day on live-bait rigs and leeches. The evening bite has been best on the eight- to 16-foot rocks with slip bobbers and leeches. Smallmouth action is strong on the shallow rocks and points with plastics, crankbaits, and live bait.

West - Work the flats such as Three Mile, Seven Mile, Eight Mile, Nine Mile, and parts of Seguchie for walleyes during the morning hours in 20 to 24 feet and slightly deeper during the day. Garrison Reef and Seguchie Point are producing walleyes at night in 10 to 15 feet with slip bobbers and leeches. Smallmouth bass continue to hit tubes or leeches on the rock points. The night ban comes off Sunday at midnight.

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Bright-colored jigs and spinner rigs tipped with minnows continue to produce walleyes in 28 to 30 feet around Pine Island, Lighthouse Gap, Zippel Bay, Long Point, and Graceton Beach. The Clementson Bay and Rapid River areas on the Rainy River are prime targets for smallmouth bass. At the Northwest Angle, minnows are producing walleyes in 18 to 22 feet or eight to 12 feet, depending on the time of day.

LEECH LAKE

Main-lake reefs and flats started producing more walleyes this week. Walker Bay is producing walleyes in 16 to 20 feet, as are the weeds on the south end. Sucker Bay, Second Duck Point, and the Hardwoods are giving up fish as well. A jig and minnow, crawlers and spinners, and leeches are all turning fish. Muskie reports have been limited, but bass are hitting well in Boy Bay and Steamboat Bay. The shallow sand is a safe bet for bluegills.

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA

Sunfish remain active on most metro lakes in four to six feet, although you have to do some sorting. Look for crappies on the 12- to 16-foot weedlines of Lake Minnetonka and Lake Independence. Northern pike and bass are hitting spinnerbaits on the 12-foot weedlines of Medicine Lake. Walleyes are taking leeches on the weedlines out to 28 feet near Diamond Reef on Minnetonka. A few muskies have been found suspended near the weeds of Minnetonka.

RAINY LAKE

Trolling Rapalas on the weedlines in Jackfish Bay has produced walleyes in eight to 10 feet. Cranberry Bay is kicking out walleyes via spinners and leeches in 10 to 12 feet. On the main-lake reefs, a jig and minnow is the ticket for walleyes in 26 to 32 feet. Sand Bay has been good for walleyes, while Black Bay is producing crappies in two to six fee. The rock piles and weedlines in Black Bay are holding northern pike as well.

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

The shallow bite continues to hold up when the wind blows or under low-light conditions. A jig and minnow or spinner rig and minnow is producing walleyes in eight to 10 feet on Little Stoney Point, Rich's Townsite, and Sugar Point. A jig and minnow or leech and Lindy Rig has started to be more productive on the main-lake bars and humps in 16 to 20 feet. Look to Little Stoney Point for perch in eight feet and northern pike are hitting in the weeds.

Twin Cities Metro / NORTHEAST METRO

Walleyes are being caught on minnows and leeches at Lake Jarvis and Bald Eagle Lake in 15 to 20 feet. On the St. Croix River, walleyes are being taken in 20 feet on a variety of presentations in the Bayport, Prescott, and Afton areas. The bass bite is strong on Demonterville Lake and you'll catch northern pike on the weedlines of most lakes. The weed edges of Big Carnelian Lake are holding crappies. The muskie bite started strong on Forest Lake and White Bear Lake with bucktails and glide baits.

WEST METRO

Sunfish and crappies are hitting in the shallow weeds of Hydes Lake and look to Cedar Lake and Lake Minnewashta for sunfish in four to six feet. Bass are hitting plastics in the weeds of lakes Bavaria, Steiger, and Auburn. The deep holes in the Minnesota River are producing walleyes via a jig and minnow. Northern pike are inhaling sucker minnows along the weedlines of Steiger and Auburn.

LAKE WACONIA

Look for walleyes during low-light periods to be hitting a jig and minnow in 14 to 18 feet on Kegg's Reef, Center Reef, and North Reef. Work the weedlines for northern pike and muskie anglers are reporting more follows than hook ups in less than eight feet or on the deep water near Center Reef and Anderson Reef. BullDawgs and bucktails are raising most fish. Crappies have moved deeper, sunfish remain shallow, and bass fishing is strong on the reefs.

Statewide / ALEXANDRIA AREA

Walleyes are hitting rigs and leeches, tight to the weeds out to 30 feet, on Lake Miltona, Lake Le Homme Dieu, and Lake Mary. Crappies have moved to the flats and cabbage weeds in eight to 12 feet on the Le Homme Dieu Chain. You'll find bluegills in the shallow weeds of most lakes and bass fishing is best with plastics on the weedlines on area lakes.

ANNANDALE AREA

The 12- to 18-foot weedlines of French Lake are giving up a few walleyes on leeches and fatheads. On Clearwater Lake, you'll find walleyes hitting leeches in 12 to 22 feet. Sunfish continue to be found shallow on Clearwater, Sugar Lake, Lake John, Lake Sylvia, and Maple Lake. Bass seem to be active in the shallows and along weedlines of most lakes and northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 12 to 16 feet at Clearwater, Sugar, and Granite Lake.

BATTLE LAKE

Walleyes are hitting small sucker minnows minnows and leeches at Otter Tail Lake in 14 to 18 feet. There's an evening walleye bite with leeches in seven to 14 feet on Clitherall Lake and West Battle Lake. Sunfish remain shallow on West Battle, Clitherall, Dead Lake, and Deer Lake. Crappies are being found in seven to 15 feet on Clitherall and West Battle. A few muskies are being seen on the shallow weeds of West Battle, while bass and northern pike remain active on the weedlines of most lakes.

BEMIDJI AREA

Lake Bemidji is producing walleyes during the evening hours via crankbaits in less than 10 feet and live-bait rigs are the ticket during the day in 14 to 18 feet. On Lake Plantagenet, a jig and shiner minnow continues to trigger walleyes in less than 10 feet. A few muskies have been caught and seen on Bemidji and Plantagenet along the shallow weedlines. Sunfish remain shallow on Grant Lake and Midge Lake, while crappies have moved to the weed edges on most lakes. Bass and northern pike reports have been limited.

BLACKDUCK AREA

Walleyes are hitting leeches, shiner minnows, and crawlers on Blackduck Lake and Island Lake in 10 to 14 feet. Some of these fish have started to move deeper on the flats. Panfish action is strong in shallow water on most lakes with Pimushe and Gull standing out for bluegills and crappies. Plastics continue to trigger bass at North Twin and South Twin lakes.

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Shiners, leeches, and redtails are turning walleyes along the 12- to 20-foot weedlines of Gull Lake, Pelican Lake, and North Long Lake. The south end of Gull is kicking out northern pike via sucker minnows in 14 to 16 feet. Bass remain shallow and active on most lakes, while panfish can be had in eight to 15 feet on Gull, North Long, and Cullen Lake.

CASS LAKE AREA

Leeches or shiner minnows continue to produce walleyes on Cass Lake in 20 to 25 feet on North Cedar Bar, East Cedar Bar, Deadman's Bar, and Buck's Bar. The east shore of Pike Bay Lake is kicking out walleyes as well. Perch are being found in eight to 10 feet and the bigger fish are being caught on shiner minnows. Crappie action is strong on Wolf Lake and Grace Lake is kicking out bluegills in 12 feet.

CHISAGO AREA

The weedlines on the west side of Chisago Lake are producing walleyes via leeches in 12 feet. Crappies are being found suspended at Kroon Lake over about 14 to 16 feet of water. On Sunrise Lake, panfish, bass, and northern pike are hitting along the weedlines in 12 to 14 feet of water. Bass action also is strong on Green Lake, North Center Lake, and South Lindstrom Lake.

CROSBY AREA

Walleyes are hitting redtails or leeches in 15 to 20 feet at Clearwater Lake, Serpent Lake, Rabbit Lake, and the Mississippi River. Northern pike are hitting minnows and spinnerbaits on the weedlines of Rabbit, Serpent, Bay Lake, and Black Hoof Lake. Panfish continue to be found in 10 feet during the evening hours on Bay, Black Hoof, and Cedar Lake. Anglers fishing from shore with Power Bait at the Manuel Pit and Huntington Pit are catching rainbow trout. Topwater baits are producing bass on most lakes early and late in the day.

DETROIT LAKES

Walleyes are hitting leeches, crawlers, and minnows on the weedlines of lakes such as Big Detroit, Sallie, Melissa, Pelican, and Middle Cormorant. Sunfish are being found on the weedlines of most lakes with Floyd Lake and Sour Lake standing out this week. Crappies are in the deep weeds and tough to find, while muskies are hitting CowGirls on Big Detroit and Pelican on top of the weed patches.

DULUTH AREA

The mayflies started hatching so walleye action has been slower this week, but leeches are turning fish on Island Lake over 15 to 30 feet and at Fish Lake in 10 feet. The bluegills have started hitting in the bays on Fish and Rice Lake is kicking out crappies and pike in less than six feet of water. A few muskies have been caught at Island Lake and the coho bite remains strong on the south shore of Lake Superior during the evening hours. Trolling spoons is now working best at 40 to 60 feet of water.

EAST-CENTRAL MINN

Walleyes are hitting fatheads and leeches in 16 to 22 feet at Blue Lake and Green Lake. Sunfish also can be had on Green in shallow water and you'll find crappies on Blue in six feet. The deeper holes of the Rum River are holding smallmouth bass and a few walleyes. Sucker minnows are turning northern pike on the weedlines of most lakes.

ELY AREA

Slip bobbers and leeches are producing a few walleyes during the evening hours in four to six feet at Burntside Lake. Leeches also are producing walleyes in five during the evening hours and in 14 feet during the day at Shagawa Lake. Snowbank Lake is kicking out a few walleyes in shallow water as well. The shallow bays of Burntside, Low Lake, Johnson Lake, and Birch Lake are kicking out sunfish. The shorelines of most lakes are holding smallmouth bass and Rapalas are turning lake trout over 40 feet at Snowbank.

EMILY AREA

Trolling Rapalas in 12 to 15 feet of water on Kego Lake has been productive for northern pike. There's an evening walleye bite on Lake Washburn with a leech and Lindy Rig in eight to 12 feet. Sunfish are biting on Lake Emily in three to five feet and a few crappies are coming off Lawrence Lake on a jig and minnow. Topwater baits are producing numbers of smallmouth bass on the south end of Roosevelt Lake.

FAIRMONT AREA

The shorelines of Tuttle Lake are producing a few walleyes and northern pike via chubs. Look to Amber Lake for crappies and catfish in less than 10 feet. Hall Lake is giving up crappies in four to eight feet and Budd Lake is producing crappies and walleyes in 12 feet of water. The shorelines and rocks of Lake Sissiton are safe bets for bluegills and Fox Lake is kicking out a mixed bag of panfish in eight to 12 feet.

FARIBAULT AREA

The weedlines on Shields Lake and Circle Lake are producing walleyes in 12 to 14 feet with leeches and jigs. Look to Lake Mazaska for crappies and sunfish in 10 to 14 feet. Hunts Lake is kicking out sunfish and northern pike along the 12-foot weeds. Bass fishing continues to be strong on most lakes with plastics or live bait.

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Jigs tipped with leeches or minnows are producing walleyes in six to 12 feet at Seagull Lake, 12 to 15 feet at Homer Lake, eight to 12 feet at Two Island Lake, and in eight to 10 feet at Poplar Lake. Spoons or minnows continue to trigger lake trout over 30 feet at Lake Saganaga, over 25 feet at Mayhew Lake, and over 25 or 45 feet at Clearwater Lake. Crawlers are the ticket for rainbow trout at Moss Lake in 25 to 28 feet, Leo Lake in 20 to 22 feet, and in 15 feet at Esther Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 10 feet at Northern Lights Lake and Poplar. Smallmouth bass are hitting on most lakes with Hungry Jack, Gunflint, and Seagull leading the way.

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

A jig and minnow or leeches are producing walleyes on Bowstring Lake, Sand Lake, Lake Wabana, and Trout Lake in 10 to 16 feet. Crappies remain active on lakes Pokegama and Cutfoot in 10 to 12 feet, while sunfish are being found shallower on Grave Lake, Bass Lake, Big Splithand Lake, and Cutfoot. Smallmouth and largemouth bass continue to be found shallow and on the mid-depth weedlines of most lakes.

HACKENSACK AREA

Panfish remain shallow on Ten Mile Lake and Birch Lake. Bass fishing has been very good for largemouth and smallmouth bass on most lakes with topwater baits and spinnerbaits. Baby Lake, Woman Lake, Ten Mile, and Birch stood out this week. Walleye and northern pike reports have been limited in the immediate area, but look to Woman and Birch for a few walleyes with leeches and shiner minnows in 14 to 20 feet.

LAKE VERMILION

Leeches or a crawler and spinner are now producing the majority of walleyes in 12 to 16 feet during low-light periods. Crappies are now in post-spawn mode and hanging out in the deep weeds. There has been some big perch caught in the weeds and the shallow weedlines are providing muskie anglers with a few follows and hook ups.

ORTONVILLE AREA

Crawlers and leeches are turning walleyes on the weedlines at the west end of Big Stone Lake, on the South Dakota side, in eight to 10 feet. The Rocky Ledge area on the South Dakota side of Big Stone also has been productive in 10 to 12 feet. A jig and minnow is producing numbers of white bass throughout Big Stone in four to six feet. The Odessa area of the Minnesota River is kicking out catfish and northern pike. Trolling spinners and leeches on the north end of Artichoke Lake is a safe bet for walleyes in eight to 10 feet.

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Big Sand Lake started giving up a few walleyes in 24 to 26 feet with leeches and crawlers. Long Lake also is giving up walleyes in 18 feet via leeches. On Big Mantrap Lake, northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 14 feet. Largemouth bass action is strong on most lakes with plastics or spinnerbaits. Look for bluegills on the Crow Wing Chain in six to nine feet and crappies in 14 feet.

RED LAKE

The south shore continues to provide steady walleye action in less than 10 feet with a jig and minnow or slip bobber and minnow. The mouth of Shotley Brook has been one of the better areas. The Tamarack River area is a safe bet for northern pike with minnows and the north shore is giving up a fair number of crappies in shallow water.

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA

Lakes such as Koronis, Rice, Horseshoe, Long, and Cedar Island are producing sunfish in shallow water. A few walleyes are being taken on Koronis and Rice with leeches in four to 10 feet during the evening hours. Northern pike are hitting on the weedlines of Pearl Lake, Clear Lake, and Koronis. Bass fishing remains consistent on most lakes around the docks and deep weedlines.

SAUK CENTRE AREA

Crappies continue to bite at Sauk Lake, Big Birch Lake, Lake Levin, and Swan Lake on the eight- to 10-foot weedlines. Look for sunfish on Sauk, Lilly Lake, Fairy Lake, Maple Lake, and Lady Lake in 10 to 12 feet. The mid-lake humps and bars on Lake Osakis are producing walleyes in 18 to 20 feet during the evening hours with shiner minnows, leeches, and crawlers. Bass remain active on the weedlines and in the slop on most lakes.

STARBUCK AREA

The bass and sunfish bites remain strong on Lake Minnewaska. Work the docks, weeds, bulrushes, or 12- to 14-foot weedlines and you'll find fish. Walleye action picked up on Minnewaska with shiner minnows or leeches and spinners in 18 feet near the points. Pelican Lake is kicking out northern pike and a few walleyes along the weedlines with sucker minnows. On Reno Lake, the bigger sunfish have moved along the shorelines and can be had with small leeches.

WATERVILLE AREA

Sunfish are hitting waxworms at a good pace in less than five feet on Lake Tetonka, Jefferson Lake, German Lake, Lake Francis, and Horseshoe Lake. Walleyes can be had near the swimming beach on Tetonka in 12 feet with leeches. Spinnerbaits thrown right in the weeds on Lake Sakatah are producing northern pike.