T_boy
06-05-2008, 04:07 PM
East — Lindy Rigs and crankbaits are triggering walleyes on the 20- to 22-foot gravel areas around Hennepin Island during the day. Slip bobbers and leeches are working best during the evening on the shallow rock reefs south of Big Point. Smallmouth action has been excellent around the docks, shorelines, and shallow rocks.
West — Lindy Rigs and leeches or spinner rigs and rainbow minnows started turning walleyes on the mud. Work the tops of Seguchie Flat, Eight Mile Flat, and Shermans Flat in 20 to 22 feet. The breaks in St. Albans Bay and shallow rock points are the best walleye options during low-light periods with crankbaits or slip bobbers and leeches. Smallmouth bass remain active on the shallow rocks.
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Limits of 15- to 16-inch walleyes dont seem to be hard to catch. Drifting with jigs and minnows or spinners and leeches has worked best in 13 to 20 feet around Lighthouse Gap and Pine Island. Smallmouth bass and northern pike are biting in the Rainy River. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes are being found consistently on shallow structure.
LEECH LAKE
Walleye action has been best on the windswept shores such as Pine and Stony points. The Hardwoods, Star Island, and Meadows stretch also has been good when the wind is blowing in their direction over six to 14 feet. Theres an evening crankbait bite in Walker Bay and the main-lake reefs have started giving up walleyes. Panfish action picked up in the harbors and bays.
LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
Bass are an easy catch on the inside weedlines of most lakes. Crappies and sunfish also are being found along the shorelines throughout the area. Hit Medicine Lake with sucker minnows for northern pike in 10 to 12 feet. A variety of live bait options is producing walleyes at Lake Minnetonka on the 12- to 15-foot weedlines. Small walleyes are an easy catch on Lake Independence in 12 feet.
RAINY LAKE
Crappie action really improved throughout Black Bay. Walleyes are scattered at a variety of depths in the bays and main-lake structure. Minnows remain the best bait with areas such as Lost Bay, Saginaw Bay, Jackfish Bay, and the Rainy River providing steady walleye action. Northern pike reports are limited, but smallmouth bass remain active on the shallow rocks.
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
A jig and minnow continues to produce the most walleyes in 12 feet of water or less. Work the points and shoreline breaks with areas such as Ravens Point, Highbanks, Bird Houses, and Little Stoney Point standing out. Perch action is best in six feet and small northern pike tend to be mixed with the walleyes. A few walleyes also have been pulled off the bars in 20 to 22 feet.
TWIN CITIES AREA
NORTHEAST METRO — Crankbaits are providing steady bass action at Olson Lake, Lake Jane, White Bear Lake, and Demonterville Lake. Big Marine Lake and White Bear are the areas best northern pike options and a jig and minnow is producing walleyes in the Prescott area of the St. Croix River. Look for crappies in the shallows of Little Carnelian and Big Marine lakes.
WEST METRO — Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits at Lake Auburn and Lake Zumbra. Look for pike to hit spoons and sucker minnows at Stieger Lake and Whaletail Lake. Pierson Lake is a safe bet for pike and bass along any weedline. On the Minnesota River, walleyes are hitting jigs and white plastics at the creek mouths and sucker minnows are turning big flathead catfish. A few crappies are coming off Lake Minnewashta in six feet and the east side of Lotus Lake is giving up walleyes in nine feet.
LAKE WACONIA — Work the shallow weed edges with spinnerbaits for bass. Crappies and sunfish are being found from the shorelines out to the 10-foot weedlines. The walleye bite has been best during the evening hours in eight to 10 feet of water or during the day in 20 feet off Kegs Reef and North Reef. Minnows, leeches, and crawlers are all producing fish.
ALEXANDRIA AREA
Crappie action is going strong in the shallows of Lake Darling, Lake Ida, Lake Miltona, Lake Geneva, and Lake Le Homme Dieu. Lindy Rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers are producing walleyes on Lake Mary and Reno Lake in 10 to 20 feet of water. Miltona and Ida are worth noting for walleyes as well. Spinnerbaits and plastics are providing numbers of bass on all lakes.
ANNANDALE AREA
Minnows and leeches are turning a few walleyes at Clearwater Lake in 24 feet, French Lake in eight to 12 feet, and at lakes John and Cedar in 18 to 20 feet. Panfish action has been slow as they seem to be moving in and out of the shallows. Bass continue to be an easy catch on all lakes in less than eight feet, while the weedlines of Pleasant Lake, Sugar Lake, and Lake John started producing northern pike.
BATTLE LAKE
Shiner minnows or leeches are working best for walleyes in 15 to 22 feet at lakes such as Clitherall, Little Pine, Walker, Silver, Star, and Stalker. Crappie action remains strong in the shallows of East Battle, Stewart, West Battle, Blanche, and Stalker lakes. Look for bluegills in less than six feet at West Battle, Star, and Dead Lake. Bass seem to be biting on all lakes and northern pike are hitting spoons or sucker minnows on the emerging weedlines of West Battle, Long Lake, Otter Tail Lake, and South Turtle Lake.
BEMIDJI AREA
Shallow water crappie action is picking up in the shallows of most lakes when the sun is out. Bass continue to be very active in shallow water at Deer Lake, Midge Lake, and the Turtle River Chain. Walleyes on Lake Bemidji and Lake Platangenet remain most active in less than 12 feet. A jig and shiner minnow is triggering fish, but look for leeches and crawlers to start working as soon as the fish head deeper.
BLACKDUCK AREA
Blackduck Lake is producing walleyes in 10 feet during the evening hours via crankbaits and in deeper water during the day via slip bobbers and leeches. Leeches also have triggered walleyes in 12 feet or less at Gull Lake and Island Lake. Pitch shiners on the Blackduck River for walleyes as well. Panfish action is picking up in the shallows of Gull and Rabideau Lake.
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Minnows and leeches are triggering a few walleyes in eight to 14 feet at Gull Lake, North Long Lake, and Round Lake. Bass and northern pike are biting at a good pace on most lakes in less than 12 feet of water. Look for bluegills and crappies to start showing up along the reeds and shoreline areas soon.
CASS LAKE AREA
Small walleyes are still being caught in the current areas, but the points and inside turns of Cass Lake are holding more fish as they start moving back into the lake. Jigs tipped with shiners or Lindy Rigs and leeches are working best. Pike are hitting minnows in Allens Bay of Cass and panfish have moved shallow on most lakes. Look for perch in the shallow bulrushes throughout the Cass Chain.
CHISAGO AREA
Walleyes are biting early and late in the day on the east and south ends of Chisago Lake in eight to 12 feet of water. The bars of South Lindstrom Lake also are giving up walleyes. Youll find panfish around the docks of most lakes and bass remain an easy catch in shallow water areas. Sucker minnows under bobbers are producing pike on top of the eight-foot weed flats of Sunrise Lake.
CROSS LAKE AREA
Lindy Rigs tipped with shiner minnows or leeches are turning walleyes throughout the Whitefish Chain in 12 feet. Large sucker minnows or spinnerbaits are a safe bet for northern pike along the shallow weedlines of most lakes. Bass also remain active in the shallows and crappie activity has moved to the emerging weedlines with small jigs and minnows.
DETROIT LAKES
Crappie action remains strong in the shallows of lakes Melissa, Sallie, Severson, and Big Detroit. Bass and northern pike are easy to catch in the shallow weed areas of most lakes. Minnows and leeches are triggering walleyes in eight to 16 feet at Pelican Lake, Big Pine Lake, Island Lake, Lake Melissa, and Lake Sallie. Sunfish have started to show up along the shorelines of many lakes.
DULUTH AREA
A jig and minnow or bobber and leech is producing walleyes at Island Lake in 18 to 20 feet. The same presentations are working on Fish Lake in 12 feet of water and at Rice Lake, walleyes and pike are hitting minnows in six feet. Work the narrows of Fish Lake for crappies and the bays for bluegills. The Wisconsin side of Lake Superior is giving up walleyes, king salmon, and lake trout. Trolling stickbaits has worked best about 25 feet down over 50 to 70 feet of water.
EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA
Smallmouth bass are pounding nightcrawlers and small crankbaits on the Mississippi and Rum rivers. Minnows continue to produce some walleyes at Green Lake in 12 to 16 feet of water during low-light periods. Although small, panfish remain active in the shallows of lakes Elk, Blue, and Green.
ELY AREA
The walleye bite has been excellent throughout the day, often peaking during the evening hours. A jig and minnow in six feet or Rapalas trolled in 12 to 20 feet has worked best on area lakes. Crankbaits are turning numbers of smallmouth bass in six to 15 feet and northern pike are hitting minnows, spoons, and crankbaits along the weed edges on most lakes.
FAIRMONT AREA
Crappies continue to hit near the docks of Hall Lake and Budd Lake. The point on Hall also is giving up walleyes in eight to 10 feet. Look for northern pike to be hitting fathead minnows on Amber Lake in less than eight feet. Iowa Lake is a safe bet for catfish and bass fishing remains very good off Budd Lake and Sissiton Lake.
FARIBAULT AREA
The shallow sand areas of Shields Lake and Lake Mazaska continue to produce crappies and bluegills. On French Lake, walleyes are being caught on crankbaits pulled over the cabbage early in the day, while leeches and minnows tend to work best in 16 to 18 feet during midday hours. Bass and northern pike fishing remains excellent on all lakes.
GRAND MARAIS AREA
Minnows are turning walleyes on Devils Track Lake in 18 to 20 feet of water, Elbow Lake in 10 to 12 feet of water, Devil Fish Lake in 15 to 18 feet, and at Tom Lake in 12 feet of water. Trolling Rattlin Rogues during the evening hours has triggered walleyes at Poplar Lake and Lake Saganaga. Crawlers worked tight to the bottom are producing rainbow trout at Mink and Kimball lakes. Lake trout are hitting ciscoes over 40 feet of water at Clearwater Lake and Trout Lake. Spoons have provided steady northern pike action at Northern Lights Lake and smallmouth seem to biting everywhere.
HACKENSACK AREA
Stoney Lake and Ten Mile Lake are the areas best walleye options, with minnows, in 13 to 17 feet. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are hitting on most lakes, but Birch and Ten Mile have produced the areas biggest bass. Long Bay on Ten Mile also is worth noting for crappies.
LAKE KABETOGAMA
Early and late in the day work the windswept shorelines and points in eight to 15 feet for walleyes. The best day bite is taking place in 26 to 32 feet. Minnows, leeches and floating jigs have worked best. Troll the shorelines with crankbaits in 12 to 15 feet for northern pike. Look to the east end of the lake for crappies in shallow water.
LAKE OSAKIS AREA
Nightcrawlers or a bobber and minnow combination are producing walleyes at Lake Osakis in seven to nine feet along the Rock Pile and in 12 feet on the northwest side of the lake. Bass fishing is excellent on most lakes and the northeast end of Osakis has kicked out sunfish in shallow water. Look for crappies in the shallows of Smith Lake and Maple Lake.
LAKE VERMILION
Minnows, leeches, and crankbaits are producing walleyes in the eight- to 14-foot mud areas. A few fish have been taken during the day off the points and breaks. Crappies in the 12- to 14-inch class are hitting minnows on plain hooks or tinsel-colored jigs — look for shallow, wooded areas to be holding the most fish. Topwater baits, plastics, and spinnerbaits are providing steady bass action in the shallows.
MANKATO AREA
Crankbaits and leeches are producing walleyes in 14 to 18 feet of water on Lake Washington and Madison Lake. The shallow weeds of Lura Lake and the southeast end of Lake Hanska also have given up walleyes. Look to Bakers Bay and Mud Bay on Washington for panfish. Lake Francis also is producing panfish in shallow water and Little Jefferson Lake is a safe bet for bass and pike.
McGREGOR AREA
Walleye action is picking up on Lake Minnewawa and Big Sandy Lake with leeches and minnows in 15 to 20 feet of water. Sunfish have moved shallow on most lakes with Big Sandy, Minnewawa, and Ratt Lake giving up bigger fish. Northern pike are hitting minnows on Big Sandy and bass remain active in shallow water everywhere.
ORTONVILLE AREA
Theres an evening crankbait around the islands of Big Stone Lake in seven to 10 feet. Crankbaits also have produced walleyes at Artichoke Lake in six to 10 feet. Lake Lac qui Parle is giving up a few walleyes and work the shallows of Long Tom Lake for crappies.
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Youll catch walleyes on minnows and crankbaits at Big Sand Lake in 12 feet. Fatheads are working best for walleyes on the 14- to 18-foot weed edge of Long Lake and Straight Lake is giving up walleyes in 14 to 16 feet. Look shallow for crappies at Long and Big Toad lakes. Straight Lake and the Crow Wing Chain are safe bets for bluegills in six to eight feet. Spinnerbaits are producing bass and sucker minnows are taking pike on most lakes.
RED LAKE
Walleyes continue to hit a jig and minnow in four to eight feet around the entire lake. Crappies are being caught on the south shore rocks and north-end shorelines. The big pike have started hitting in three to eight feet. Minnows, crankbaits, and spoons are all turning pike.
RED WING AREA
Three-way rigs have started turning walleyes in the back channel of the Mississippi River. Trolling with No. 5 or No. 7 Shad Raps has been the best way to catch walleyes and sauger at the Maiden Rock and Bay City Flats areas of Lake Pepin. Bluegills and crappies are being found around the docks at Baypoint Park.
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Leeches are providing the best walleye bite on Lake Koronis in 15 to 25 feet, Rice Lake in eight to 15 feet, Pearl Lake in 15 feet, and on Grand Lake in 20 to 25 feet. Rice and Horseshoe Lake are kicking out crappies in shallow water and bass are an easy catch. Work the weedlines of Koronis for pike and sunfish are in the shallows of Pearl, Horseshoe, and Browns Lake.
SAUK CENTRE AREA
Crappie action has picked up in the reeds of Big Birch Lake. Look to Fairy Lake with sucker minnows for eating-sized northern pike. Spot- tailed shiners remain the hot bait for walleyes on Little Birch Lake, Lake Sylvia, and Swan Lake. The weedbeds of McCormick Lake also are holding walleyes.
STARBUCK AREA
Lake Minnewaska is producing walleyes in two areas: 24 to 28 feet on jigs and minnows and 12 to 15 feet on spinners and leeches. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits on Lake Emily has triggered walleyes and pike. Crappie action also has picked up on the north side of Emily near "the springs." Look for panfish in the Starbuck Marina on Minnewaska and bass seem to be hitting on all lakes.
WATERVILLE AREA
Trolling Rapalas on Lake Sakatah in eight feet of water has produced walleyes and northern pike. The channel between Sakatah and Lake Tetonka continues to give up panfish. The lagoon on Tetonka also has produced crappies this week.
WILLMAR AREA
Look for walleyes in 10 feet or less at lakes Elizabeth, Long, Ringo, Solomon, and Diamond. The 10- to 20-foot weedlines on Lake Andrew also have produced walleyes. The areas best panfish action is coming off Green Lake, Nest Lake, Eagle Lake, and Florida Lake in less than six feet. Bass action is good everywhere, while lakes such as Norway, Calhoun, and Florida are safe bets for northern pike.
West — Lindy Rigs and leeches or spinner rigs and rainbow minnows started turning walleyes on the mud. Work the tops of Seguchie Flat, Eight Mile Flat, and Shermans Flat in 20 to 22 feet. The breaks in St. Albans Bay and shallow rock points are the best walleye options during low-light periods with crankbaits or slip bobbers and leeches. Smallmouth bass remain active on the shallow rocks.
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Limits of 15- to 16-inch walleyes dont seem to be hard to catch. Drifting with jigs and minnows or spinners and leeches has worked best in 13 to 20 feet around Lighthouse Gap and Pine Island. Smallmouth bass and northern pike are biting in the Rainy River. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes are being found consistently on shallow structure.
LEECH LAKE
Walleye action has been best on the windswept shores such as Pine and Stony points. The Hardwoods, Star Island, and Meadows stretch also has been good when the wind is blowing in their direction over six to 14 feet. Theres an evening crankbait bite in Walker Bay and the main-lake reefs have started giving up walleyes. Panfish action picked up in the harbors and bays.
LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
Bass are an easy catch on the inside weedlines of most lakes. Crappies and sunfish also are being found along the shorelines throughout the area. Hit Medicine Lake with sucker minnows for northern pike in 10 to 12 feet. A variety of live bait options is producing walleyes at Lake Minnetonka on the 12- to 15-foot weedlines. Small walleyes are an easy catch on Lake Independence in 12 feet.
RAINY LAKE
Crappie action really improved throughout Black Bay. Walleyes are scattered at a variety of depths in the bays and main-lake structure. Minnows remain the best bait with areas such as Lost Bay, Saginaw Bay, Jackfish Bay, and the Rainy River providing steady walleye action. Northern pike reports are limited, but smallmouth bass remain active on the shallow rocks.
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
A jig and minnow continues to produce the most walleyes in 12 feet of water or less. Work the points and shoreline breaks with areas such as Ravens Point, Highbanks, Bird Houses, and Little Stoney Point standing out. Perch action is best in six feet and small northern pike tend to be mixed with the walleyes. A few walleyes also have been pulled off the bars in 20 to 22 feet.
TWIN CITIES AREA
NORTHEAST METRO — Crankbaits are providing steady bass action at Olson Lake, Lake Jane, White Bear Lake, and Demonterville Lake. Big Marine Lake and White Bear are the areas best northern pike options and a jig and minnow is producing walleyes in the Prescott area of the St. Croix River. Look for crappies in the shallows of Little Carnelian and Big Marine lakes.
WEST METRO — Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits at Lake Auburn and Lake Zumbra. Look for pike to hit spoons and sucker minnows at Stieger Lake and Whaletail Lake. Pierson Lake is a safe bet for pike and bass along any weedline. On the Minnesota River, walleyes are hitting jigs and white plastics at the creek mouths and sucker minnows are turning big flathead catfish. A few crappies are coming off Lake Minnewashta in six feet and the east side of Lotus Lake is giving up walleyes in nine feet.
LAKE WACONIA — Work the shallow weed edges with spinnerbaits for bass. Crappies and sunfish are being found from the shorelines out to the 10-foot weedlines. The walleye bite has been best during the evening hours in eight to 10 feet of water or during the day in 20 feet off Kegs Reef and North Reef. Minnows, leeches, and crawlers are all producing fish.
ALEXANDRIA AREA
Crappie action is going strong in the shallows of Lake Darling, Lake Ida, Lake Miltona, Lake Geneva, and Lake Le Homme Dieu. Lindy Rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers are producing walleyes on Lake Mary and Reno Lake in 10 to 20 feet of water. Miltona and Ida are worth noting for walleyes as well. Spinnerbaits and plastics are providing numbers of bass on all lakes.
ANNANDALE AREA
Minnows and leeches are turning a few walleyes at Clearwater Lake in 24 feet, French Lake in eight to 12 feet, and at lakes John and Cedar in 18 to 20 feet. Panfish action has been slow as they seem to be moving in and out of the shallows. Bass continue to be an easy catch on all lakes in less than eight feet, while the weedlines of Pleasant Lake, Sugar Lake, and Lake John started producing northern pike.
BATTLE LAKE
Shiner minnows or leeches are working best for walleyes in 15 to 22 feet at lakes such as Clitherall, Little Pine, Walker, Silver, Star, and Stalker. Crappie action remains strong in the shallows of East Battle, Stewart, West Battle, Blanche, and Stalker lakes. Look for bluegills in less than six feet at West Battle, Star, and Dead Lake. Bass seem to be biting on all lakes and northern pike are hitting spoons or sucker minnows on the emerging weedlines of West Battle, Long Lake, Otter Tail Lake, and South Turtle Lake.
BEMIDJI AREA
Shallow water crappie action is picking up in the shallows of most lakes when the sun is out. Bass continue to be very active in shallow water at Deer Lake, Midge Lake, and the Turtle River Chain. Walleyes on Lake Bemidji and Lake Platangenet remain most active in less than 12 feet. A jig and shiner minnow is triggering fish, but look for leeches and crawlers to start working as soon as the fish head deeper.
BLACKDUCK AREA
Blackduck Lake is producing walleyes in 10 feet during the evening hours via crankbaits and in deeper water during the day via slip bobbers and leeches. Leeches also have triggered walleyes in 12 feet or less at Gull Lake and Island Lake. Pitch shiners on the Blackduck River for walleyes as well. Panfish action is picking up in the shallows of Gull and Rabideau Lake.
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Minnows and leeches are triggering a few walleyes in eight to 14 feet at Gull Lake, North Long Lake, and Round Lake. Bass and northern pike are biting at a good pace on most lakes in less than 12 feet of water. Look for bluegills and crappies to start showing up along the reeds and shoreline areas soon.
CASS LAKE AREA
Small walleyes are still being caught in the current areas, but the points and inside turns of Cass Lake are holding more fish as they start moving back into the lake. Jigs tipped with shiners or Lindy Rigs and leeches are working best. Pike are hitting minnows in Allens Bay of Cass and panfish have moved shallow on most lakes. Look for perch in the shallow bulrushes throughout the Cass Chain.
CHISAGO AREA
Walleyes are biting early and late in the day on the east and south ends of Chisago Lake in eight to 12 feet of water. The bars of South Lindstrom Lake also are giving up walleyes. Youll find panfish around the docks of most lakes and bass remain an easy catch in shallow water areas. Sucker minnows under bobbers are producing pike on top of the eight-foot weed flats of Sunrise Lake.
CROSS LAKE AREA
Lindy Rigs tipped with shiner minnows or leeches are turning walleyes throughout the Whitefish Chain in 12 feet. Large sucker minnows or spinnerbaits are a safe bet for northern pike along the shallow weedlines of most lakes. Bass also remain active in the shallows and crappie activity has moved to the emerging weedlines with small jigs and minnows.
DETROIT LAKES
Crappie action remains strong in the shallows of lakes Melissa, Sallie, Severson, and Big Detroit. Bass and northern pike are easy to catch in the shallow weed areas of most lakes. Minnows and leeches are triggering walleyes in eight to 16 feet at Pelican Lake, Big Pine Lake, Island Lake, Lake Melissa, and Lake Sallie. Sunfish have started to show up along the shorelines of many lakes.
DULUTH AREA
A jig and minnow or bobber and leech is producing walleyes at Island Lake in 18 to 20 feet. The same presentations are working on Fish Lake in 12 feet of water and at Rice Lake, walleyes and pike are hitting minnows in six feet. Work the narrows of Fish Lake for crappies and the bays for bluegills. The Wisconsin side of Lake Superior is giving up walleyes, king salmon, and lake trout. Trolling stickbaits has worked best about 25 feet down over 50 to 70 feet of water.
EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA
Smallmouth bass are pounding nightcrawlers and small crankbaits on the Mississippi and Rum rivers. Minnows continue to produce some walleyes at Green Lake in 12 to 16 feet of water during low-light periods. Although small, panfish remain active in the shallows of lakes Elk, Blue, and Green.
ELY AREA
The walleye bite has been excellent throughout the day, often peaking during the evening hours. A jig and minnow in six feet or Rapalas trolled in 12 to 20 feet has worked best on area lakes. Crankbaits are turning numbers of smallmouth bass in six to 15 feet and northern pike are hitting minnows, spoons, and crankbaits along the weed edges on most lakes.
FAIRMONT AREA
Crappies continue to hit near the docks of Hall Lake and Budd Lake. The point on Hall also is giving up walleyes in eight to 10 feet. Look for northern pike to be hitting fathead minnows on Amber Lake in less than eight feet. Iowa Lake is a safe bet for catfish and bass fishing remains very good off Budd Lake and Sissiton Lake.
FARIBAULT AREA
The shallow sand areas of Shields Lake and Lake Mazaska continue to produce crappies and bluegills. On French Lake, walleyes are being caught on crankbaits pulled over the cabbage early in the day, while leeches and minnows tend to work best in 16 to 18 feet during midday hours. Bass and northern pike fishing remains excellent on all lakes.
GRAND MARAIS AREA
Minnows are turning walleyes on Devils Track Lake in 18 to 20 feet of water, Elbow Lake in 10 to 12 feet of water, Devil Fish Lake in 15 to 18 feet, and at Tom Lake in 12 feet of water. Trolling Rattlin Rogues during the evening hours has triggered walleyes at Poplar Lake and Lake Saganaga. Crawlers worked tight to the bottom are producing rainbow trout at Mink and Kimball lakes. Lake trout are hitting ciscoes over 40 feet of water at Clearwater Lake and Trout Lake. Spoons have provided steady northern pike action at Northern Lights Lake and smallmouth seem to biting everywhere.
HACKENSACK AREA
Stoney Lake and Ten Mile Lake are the areas best walleye options, with minnows, in 13 to 17 feet. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are hitting on most lakes, but Birch and Ten Mile have produced the areas biggest bass. Long Bay on Ten Mile also is worth noting for crappies.
LAKE KABETOGAMA
Early and late in the day work the windswept shorelines and points in eight to 15 feet for walleyes. The best day bite is taking place in 26 to 32 feet. Minnows, leeches and floating jigs have worked best. Troll the shorelines with crankbaits in 12 to 15 feet for northern pike. Look to the east end of the lake for crappies in shallow water.
LAKE OSAKIS AREA
Nightcrawlers or a bobber and minnow combination are producing walleyes at Lake Osakis in seven to nine feet along the Rock Pile and in 12 feet on the northwest side of the lake. Bass fishing is excellent on most lakes and the northeast end of Osakis has kicked out sunfish in shallow water. Look for crappies in the shallows of Smith Lake and Maple Lake.
LAKE VERMILION
Minnows, leeches, and crankbaits are producing walleyes in the eight- to 14-foot mud areas. A few fish have been taken during the day off the points and breaks. Crappies in the 12- to 14-inch class are hitting minnows on plain hooks or tinsel-colored jigs — look for shallow, wooded areas to be holding the most fish. Topwater baits, plastics, and spinnerbaits are providing steady bass action in the shallows.
MANKATO AREA
Crankbaits and leeches are producing walleyes in 14 to 18 feet of water on Lake Washington and Madison Lake. The shallow weeds of Lura Lake and the southeast end of Lake Hanska also have given up walleyes. Look to Bakers Bay and Mud Bay on Washington for panfish. Lake Francis also is producing panfish in shallow water and Little Jefferson Lake is a safe bet for bass and pike.
McGREGOR AREA
Walleye action is picking up on Lake Minnewawa and Big Sandy Lake with leeches and minnows in 15 to 20 feet of water. Sunfish have moved shallow on most lakes with Big Sandy, Minnewawa, and Ratt Lake giving up bigger fish. Northern pike are hitting minnows on Big Sandy and bass remain active in shallow water everywhere.
ORTONVILLE AREA
Theres an evening crankbait around the islands of Big Stone Lake in seven to 10 feet. Crankbaits also have produced walleyes at Artichoke Lake in six to 10 feet. Lake Lac qui Parle is giving up a few walleyes and work the shallows of Long Tom Lake for crappies.
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Youll catch walleyes on minnows and crankbaits at Big Sand Lake in 12 feet. Fatheads are working best for walleyes on the 14- to 18-foot weed edge of Long Lake and Straight Lake is giving up walleyes in 14 to 16 feet. Look shallow for crappies at Long and Big Toad lakes. Straight Lake and the Crow Wing Chain are safe bets for bluegills in six to eight feet. Spinnerbaits are producing bass and sucker minnows are taking pike on most lakes.
RED LAKE
Walleyes continue to hit a jig and minnow in four to eight feet around the entire lake. Crappies are being caught on the south shore rocks and north-end shorelines. The big pike have started hitting in three to eight feet. Minnows, crankbaits, and spoons are all turning pike.
RED WING AREA
Three-way rigs have started turning walleyes in the back channel of the Mississippi River. Trolling with No. 5 or No. 7 Shad Raps has been the best way to catch walleyes and sauger at the Maiden Rock and Bay City Flats areas of Lake Pepin. Bluegills and crappies are being found around the docks at Baypoint Park.
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Leeches are providing the best walleye bite on Lake Koronis in 15 to 25 feet, Rice Lake in eight to 15 feet, Pearl Lake in 15 feet, and on Grand Lake in 20 to 25 feet. Rice and Horseshoe Lake are kicking out crappies in shallow water and bass are an easy catch. Work the weedlines of Koronis for pike and sunfish are in the shallows of Pearl, Horseshoe, and Browns Lake.
SAUK CENTRE AREA
Crappie action has picked up in the reeds of Big Birch Lake. Look to Fairy Lake with sucker minnows for eating-sized northern pike. Spot- tailed shiners remain the hot bait for walleyes on Little Birch Lake, Lake Sylvia, and Swan Lake. The weedbeds of McCormick Lake also are holding walleyes.
STARBUCK AREA
Lake Minnewaska is producing walleyes in two areas: 24 to 28 feet on jigs and minnows and 12 to 15 feet on spinners and leeches. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits on Lake Emily has triggered walleyes and pike. Crappie action also has picked up on the north side of Emily near "the springs." Look for panfish in the Starbuck Marina on Minnewaska and bass seem to be hitting on all lakes.
WATERVILLE AREA
Trolling Rapalas on Lake Sakatah in eight feet of water has produced walleyes and northern pike. The channel between Sakatah and Lake Tetonka continues to give up panfish. The lagoon on Tetonka also has produced crappies this week.
WILLMAR AREA
Look for walleyes in 10 feet or less at lakes Elizabeth, Long, Ringo, Solomon, and Diamond. The 10- to 20-foot weedlines on Lake Andrew also have produced walleyes. The areas best panfish action is coming off Green Lake, Nest Lake, Eagle Lake, and Florida Lake in less than six feet. Bass action is good everywhere, while lakes such as Norway, Calhoun, and Florida are safe bets for northern pike.