Minnesota Fishing Reports..... 
Page 1 of 2LAKE MILLE LACS East – Moving around the mud flats and gravel areas with live-bait rigs continues to produce walleyes in 18 to 30 feet throughout the day. A slip bobber and leech also remains an effective way to put walleyes in the boat, especially during the evening hours on the mud, rock reefs, and points. The rock reefs and rock points are kicking out smallmouth bass on a variety of plastics and hard baits. Muskie and northern pike reports have been light.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
West – Walleyes continue to be caught on the mud flats with leeches or nightcrawlers on live-bait rigs. Generally, the tops and sides are more productive during low-light periods and midday hours are best in deeper water. Smallmouth bass and some walleyes are being caught on the reefs and rock points from 8 to 20 feet. An occasional muskie is caught, but northern pike reports have been limited.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
LAKE OF THE WOODSMore anglers are pulling crankbaits over big areas of mud or drifting with spinners and crawlers in 30 to 34 feet. The reefs also continue to hold walleyes – work the tops if it’s windy or if it’s calm, fish transition areas at the base of the reef. On the Rainy River, sturgeon are being boated up and down the river. Fish the upstream side of deep holes with a gob of crawlers and/or frozen shiners. Trolling crankbaits is picking off resident walleyes, and smallmouth bass continue to be caught near rocky areas and bridges. At the Northwest Angle, areas west of Little Oak Island are still full of walleyes, which are spread out over flats. The reefs and spots adjacent to reefs are still holding fish, too.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH
LAKE MINNETONKA AREA Bass are hitting topwater baits during the morning hours or swim baits on the deep side of the weeds during the day on Lake Minnetonka. Look for sunfish in 8 to 10 feet on Lake Independence, Medicine Lake, Lake Sarah, and Minnetonka. Spinners and minnows are turning crappies on top of the 14- to 18-foot weeds and northern pike are hitting spinnerbaits in the 12- to 14-foot weeds on Minnetonka.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227
LAKE VERMILIONYou’ll find walleyes on Fish House Reef, just outside Pike Bay, or around Potato Island in 16 to 22 feet. Live-bait rigs with bottom bouncers and crawlers or slip bobbers and a leech are working best. Smallmouth bass remain active, hitting crawlers or plastics, on the shorelines and rock humps in 8 to 10 feet. Muskie anglers are seeing more fish than they’re hooking along the rock points with bucktails.
Pike Bay Lodge (218) 753-2430
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISHWalleyes are hitting a spinner and crawler during low-light periods on the bars and humps in 12 to 16 feet. During the day, or if it’s calm, 25 to 30 feet has been best on main lake structure. Northern pike remain active in the 9- to 12-foot weedbeds, while perch are biting as shallow as 4 to 6 feet during the morning hours at Rich’s Townsite or the mouth of the river up to Sugar Point and on the 20- 25-foot humps during the day.
Lake Winnie Resort Association
LEECH LAKELook for walleyes to hit a spinner rig along the 15- to 20-foot shoreline breaks or 25- to 30-foot humps in Walker Bay. Cover water with crankbaits or spinner rigs in 15 to 20 feet for walleyes in Trader’s Bay, the Snake Pit, Hardwoods, and Duck point areas. Leadcore and crankbaits are turning walleyes in 20 to 25 feet on the south end. Muskie action has been good on the rocks, while the rice beds in Steamboat Bay and Boy Bay are kicking out largemouth bass.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
Shriver’s Bait Company (218) 547-2250
RAINY LAKEMost walleyes have transitioned to deep water and submerged structure and are being taken with jigs or live-bait rigs with leeches and crawlers. You’ll still find walleyes in some of the productive bays such as Black Bay, which is giving up some crappies and northern pike as well. The rocky edges around Cranberry Bay are also good for some walleye and smallmouth bass. Anglers fishing from the pier at Tilson Creek have caught some good-size northern pike.
International Falls CVB (800) 325-5766
RED LAKECover water in 10 to 12 feet with crankbaits or spinner rigs with crawlers and leeches for walleyes. There’s been some walleyes taken with slip bobbers and leeches in shallower water along the shorelines if the wind blows or during low-light periods.
Mort’s On Upper Red (218) 647-8128
Twin Cities Metro
NORTHEAST METROSucker minnows and spoons continue to produce northern pike on the 8- to 12-foot weedlines of Lake Jane, Powers Lake, and Lake Owasso. A few walleyes are being taken on crawlers in 16 to 22 feet at White Bear Lake and slightly shallower water on the St. Croix River. Bucktails are turning muskies during the early morning hours at White Bear and Bald Eagle Lake. The weedlines on Big Marine and Beaver lakes have been best for panfish.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421
WEST METROArtificial frogs over the slop during the evening hours has produced bass on Lake Minnewashta, Lake Bavaria, Steiger Lake, and Zumbra Lake. Northern pike are being taken with sucker minnows or crankbaits in 18 to 20 feet on Zumbra, Auburn Lake, and Dexter Lake. Look for bigger sunfish on the deep weedlines of Minnewashta.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022
SOUTH METROPanfish are being caught in 10 to 20 feet on Prior Lake and Spring Lake or 8 to 12 feet on Carls Lake. Bass remain shallow and active on most lakes. A few walleyes are being caught with leeches and slip bobbers in 8 feet at night or 15 to 20 feet during the day on Prior.
Prior Lake Bait & Tackle (952) 447-6096
LAKE WACONIAA few walleyes continue to be caught at night on Kegg’s Reef and Red’s Reef in 15 to 18 feet. Bass fishing remains strong in Wagener’s Bay, around the island, and north side reeds in 10 to 14 feet. Hit Harm’s Point or Center Reef for panfish in 12 feet. Muskie reports have been best near the swimming beach area and northeast corner of the lake.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096
Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREACrappies and sunfish are hitting on Lake Darling, Lake Le Homme Dieu, and Lake Carlos in 10 to 15 feet. There’s some evening walleye action on Lake Miltona, Lake Ida, and Reno Lake with crankbaits in 8 to 12 feet. During the day, a spinner and crawler is producing walleyes on Reno in 18 to 25 feet. Most lakes are kicking out largemouth bass from the shorelines out to the weedlines. Look to the points and deep weeds on Miltona and Lobster Lake for a few muskies.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255
ANNANDALE AREANorthern pike are being taken in 16 to 20 feet with crankbaits at Clearwater Lake, Lake Sylvia, Granite Lake, and Maple Lake. Largemouth bass are being caught along the weedlines with plastics on most lakes and a few walleyes are coming off Big Swan Lake, Clearwater, and Sugar Lake in 18 to 26 feet with crawlers. Pleasant Lake, Clearwater, Granite, Sylvia, and French Lake are giving up sunfish along the 12- to 15-foot weedlines.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE AREAWalleyes are hitting crankbaits or a jig and minnow in 8 to 15 feet at Otter Tail Lake, Rush Lake, and West Battle Lake. Crappies and sunfish are being found in 8 to 12 feet at West Battle, Clitherall Lake, and East Battle Lake. Spinnerbaits are producing bass in the 4- to 8-foot cabbage beds of West Battle, Marion Lake, and Fish Lake. Northern pike are hitting spoons or sucker minnows in 15 feet on Donald Lake, West Battle, and Otter Tail, while a few muskies continue to be hooked in 15 to 20 feet on West Battle.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BEMIDJI AREAThe walleye bite remains a bit slow, but you’ll catch some fish if your willing to work a bit. Minnows, leeches, and crawlers are all turning fish on jigs, rigs, and spinners on Lake Bemidji, Grace Lake, and Lake Plantagenet. You’ll find pike in those same areas and bass fishing remains excellent with quality fish coming off the deep weedlines using plastics on most lakes. Crappies and bluegills are still in and around the deeper cabbage.
Dick Beardsley Guide Service (218) 556-7172
BLACKDUCK AREAPanfish action remains favorable on the deeper weedlines of North Twin Lake, South Twin Lake, Gilstead Lake, Gull Lake, and Pimushe Lake. Crawlers and leeches continue to produce a few walleyes early and late each day on Island Lake and Blackduck Lake in 10 to 15 feet.
Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA Walleyes are being caught on the 12- to 18-foot weedlines with a slip bobber and leech or live-bait rigs and crawlers on Gull Lake. Sucker minnows are turning northern pike along the 20- to 25-foot weedlines on Gull and Round Lake. The 12- to 16-foot weeds are producing crappies and sunfish on Whitefish Lake, North Long Lake, Round, and Gull. Largemouth bass are hitting topwater baits early and late and plastics during the day on most lakes.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010
CASS LAKE AREAWalleyes are hitting spinners and crawlers during the day in 8 to 12 feet on the main lake bars of Cass Lake and Pike Bay Lake. During the evening hours, crankbaits are working better in the same areas. Northern pike remain active, hitting spoons or crankbaits on the 10- to 15-foot weeds of Cass. Perch are being caught on the 6- to 8-foot sand areas on Cass, Wolf Lake, and Lake Andrusia. Hit the cabbage in Allen’s Bay on Cass for bluegills and small bucktails are turning muskies on the shallow sand flats of Cass.
Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831
CHISAGO AREA Low-light periods have been best for walleyes with live-bait rigs and crawlers or leeches in 10 to 15 feet on Green Lake, Chisago Lake, and North Center Lake. The 8- to 15-foot weedlines on Chisago, South Center Lake, North Lindstrom Lake, and South Lindstrom Lake are giving up a mixed bag of panfish. Bass remain active in the shallow weeds and slop during the morning hours and deeper weedlines during the day on all lakes.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
DETROIT LAKES AREALive-bait rigs with crawlers or leeches are turning walleyes on Big Pine Lake, Big Cormorant Lake, and Cotton Lake in 18 to 24 feet. Crappie action picked up at Little Floyd Lake, Little Cormorant Lake, and Lake Melissa in 15 feet. Northern pike and bass continue to be an easy catch on the 10- to 15-foot weedlines of most lakes. Muskies remain active, hitting bucktails along the deeper weedlines on Pelican Lake, Big Detroit Lake, and Meadow Lake.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248
EAST CENTRAL MNSmallmouth bass are being caught on the Rum River, while Blue Lake and Green Lake are kicking out panfish in 14 feet. Largemouth bass and northern pike are hitting topwater baits along the weedlines of most lakes.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985
ELY AREAWalleyes continue to hit leeches or nightcrawlers on the reefs in 16 feet at Shagawa Lake, Birch Lake, and Basswood Lake. Look for largemouth bass in the shallow weeds and lily pads on Armstrong Lake, Low Lake, and Basswood. Smallmouth bass remain active on most lakes as well. Northern pike are hitting spoons or sucker minnows on the deep weedlines and reefs on Snowbank Lake, Disappointment Lake, and Burntside Lake. Work the 5- to 8-foot weeds on Low, Birch, and White Iron Lake for bluegills and crappies. Flutter Spoons and Tail Dancers are producing lake trout over 40 to 60 feet on Snowbank and Burntside.
Arrowhead Outdoors (218) 365-5358
EMILY AREA Trolling crankbaits over 18 to 20 feet has produced walleyes on Thunder Lake. Northern pike are being taken with spinnerbaits on Stark Lake in 8 to 10 feet and Mitchell Lake is producing smallmouth bass in 6 to 8 feet. Lawrence Lake started giving up crappies in 12 to 14 feet and sunfish are going on Washburn Lake around the lily pads in 8 feet.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191
FAIRMONT AREAYellow bass are hitting in 6 to 8 feet at Hall Lake, Budd Lake, and Lake Sisseton. Look for sunfish in 4 to 6 feet on Budd, Sisseton, and George Lake and suspended crappies over 10 to 15 feet on Hall, Budd, and Sisseton. Crawlers are turning a few walleyes on Amber Lake and Big Twin Lake in 6 to 12 feet. Anglers fishing from shore during the evening hours are catching channel catfish on Hall and Budd.
Sommer Outdoors (507) 235-5225
FARIBAULT AREASunfish and a few crappies are being pulled from the docks and shorelines on Shields Lake and Lake Mazaska. Largemouth bass also remain shallow and active on most lakes, while northern pike and walleye action is slow.
John’s Bait & Tackle (507) 332-6787
FERGUS FALLS AREASunfish remain active in 14 to 20 feet on Long Lake, Wall Lake, Spitzer Lake, and Eagle Lake. A few walleyes are being caught during the day in 30 feet with slip bobbers and leeches or in less than 12 feet at night with crankbaits at Ten Mile Lake and Stalker Lake. Northern pike are hitting crankbaits and spoons on the deep weedlines of most lakes and look to low-light periods for muskies on Pelican Lake and Hooten Wright Lake.
Little Chief Outpost (218) 998-5050
GRAND MARAIS AREAMinnows and leeches are producing walleyes on Poplar Lake in 12 to 15 feet, Elbow Lake in 4 to 6 feet, and Sea Gull Lake or Saganaga Lake in 20 to 25 feet. Rainbow trout continue to hit nightcrawlers on Leo Lake in 13 to 18 feet and Kimball Lake in 10 to 15 feet. Devil Track Lake and Two Island Lake are safe bets for smallmouth bass in less than 12 feet, and a few lake trout are coming off Greenwood Lake at 35 to 45 feet.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280
GRAND RAPIDS/DEER RIVER AREA
Bluegills are being found along the weedlines of Big Cutfoot and Little Cutfoot Sioux lakes, Little Ball Club Lake, and Sugar Lake. The weeds on the north end of Bowstring Lake are giving up a few walleyes during the evening hours on spinners and crawlers. The deep humps on Deer Lake and Big Turtle Lake are holding smallmouth bass, while largemouths are weed-related and active throughout the area.
Fred’s Live Bait (218) 246-8710
GREY EAGLE AREAThe west side of Big Swan Lake is kicking out sunfish in 8 to 12 feet, while the east side is producing crappies in 15 feet. Sunfish and crappies are going on Mound Lake in 10 to 12 feet and largemouth bass and northern pike are hitting on the weedlines of Big Birch Lake. Look to Cedar Lake with deep-diving crankbaits for northern pike in 20 to 25 feet and Little Birch Lake is producing largemouth and smallmouth bass. The east side of Long Lake, by the Hub Supper Club, is producing crappies in 15 to 18 feet.
Nancy’s Bait & Tackle (320) 285-2405
HACKENSACK AREA Walleye action has slowed a bit, but leeches or crawlers are turning a few fish in 18 to 22 feet at Pine Mountain Lake, Ten Mile Lake, and Woman Lake. Trolling crankbaits over 80 feet or more on Ten Mile has produced walleyes near the surface at night. Smallmouth bass are hitting topwater baits early and late and drop-shot rigs during the day in 6 to 14 feet on Woman, Ten Mile, Mule Lake, and Stoney Lake. Find the deepest, tallest weeds available on Birch Lake, Webb Lake, Pleasant Lake, and Stoney for crappies during the evening hours. Birch, Pleasant, and Ten Mile have been best for bluegills in less than 10 feet. Work the cabbage edges with bucktails on Little Boy Lake, Baby Lake, and Wabedo Lake for muskies.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE KABETOGAMAJigs or live-bait rigs and minnows are producing walleyes on the rock piles and drop offs in 17 to 20 feet. The 8- to 12-foot weed edges and 22- to 26-foot breaks are producing walleyes on spinners with crawlers. On Namakan Lake, 25 to 30 feet has been best with a Lindy Rig and minnow or leech. Smallmouth bass action remains consistent on the rocks and reefs with leeches or artificial lures.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121
LANESBORO AREA Water levels have calmed down and area streams have all cleared up providing good trout fishing opportunities. There’s an evening Caddis hatch and Hopper’s are still working. Look for Trico’s to start hatching in the mornings. The streams in Forestville State Park have been especially good this week.
Root River Rod Company (507) 467-2101
MADISON LAKE AREACrappies and sunfish are being caught along Church Bar and Cow’s Bar on Madison Lake in 8 to 10 feet. Hit the Narrows and Church Bar on Madison with spinners and crawlers for walleyes in 16 to 18 feet. Baker’s Bay and the Squirrel’s Nest area on Lake Washington are kicking out a mixed bag of panfish in 10 feet.
Corner Bait (507) 243-4464
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Topic: Minnesota Fishing Reports (Read 3150 times)
