The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of BENA, where limits of walleyes are being pulled from LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH.

And of special note, this Friday through Sunday, June 10-12, is TAKE A KID FISHING WEEKEND, where Minnesota residents may fish for free with youngsters up to age 16. To find out more, dial 1-888-MINN-DNR

Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing http://www.wildlifelicense.com/mn/index.html

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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

DULUTH
On Lake Superior, most of the action is taking place along the North Shore, 5-7 miles out — work the top 30 feet of water using spoons and dipseys. The St. Louis River is producing quite a few walleyes and crappies. Inland waters, such as Fish Lake, are giving up walleyes on crawlers on plain hooks or spinner rigs. Island Lake has also been good for walleyes, with anglers taking fish on minnows and crawlers worked in 18-23 feet of water. Northern pike are active on most area lakes. For crappies and sunnies, hit Grand or Nichols lakes.

KABETOGAMA
Fishing on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan has really picked up, with gamefish following the baitfish into the shallows. For walleyes and northern pike, try pitching jigs tipped with minnows or leeches in the shallow bays. Anglers are finding fish at 22-30 foot depths on Kabetogama and in 25-38 feet deep on Namakan. The sand, gravel and soft bottom bays or shorelines are the best producers. The rockpiles are giving up an occasional walleye, as well as many sauger and smallmouth bass. Some crappie action is being reported at the deep water reefs. Leeches and crawlers on a slip sinker rig are becoming the bait of choice. A ballhead jig and leech is a good choice when pitching into the shallows.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleye are biting during morning hours along the sandy shorelines in 8-10 feet of water, especially at Sand Bay. Island groups on the east end, such as Eight Mile Island, are the better locations. Kempton Channel, and most of the South Shore bays have also been productive. The Rainy River is somewhat murky below its confluence with the Littlefork River — fishing remains good, but anglers are having more success just upstream.

GRAND RAPIDS
A 41-inch and 43-inch muskie were recently taken from Moose Lake and the Mississippi River. Wabana and Balsam lakes have been good for northern pike action — work the weeds using spinners or live bait. A 28 & 3/4-inch walleye was recently caught-and-released on the Mississippi River, with most lakes now producing fish. For crappies, hit the shallow reeds.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

BAUDETTE
Smallmouth bass and northern pike are biting in all feeder streams to the Rainy River, and boats can easily travel into these streams. The best approach has been a large bobber and sucker minnow. Locals are using the fishing piers at Baudette Bay for some nice-sized northerns. Try a #5 rapala for the most fish. On Lake Of The Woods, at the Northwest Angle and Islands area, walleyes are coming from 20-23 feet of water on the south side of Oak Island. Successful anglers are jig fishing with minnows. Young’s Bay has also been productive. Limits of walleyes coming from 14-25 foot depths at Flag Island, with smallmouth bass pulled from 3-6 feet of water. At the South Shore, walleyes are coming from Pine Island, the rocky shoals towards Warroad, Little Oak Island, and Big Island. Walleye are hitting bare hooks tipped with a minnow, however the most popular presentation continues to be the hammered gold spinner.

BLACKDUCK
Walleyes are being pulled from 7-18 feet of water on Blackduck Lake. For the most fish, try leeches, crawlers or minnows. Shore anglers are catching trout on Lake Benjamin. The best approach has been casting lindy rigs with crawlers.

BEMIDJI
Walleyes are being pulled from Irving, Bemidji, Big, Andrusia and Cass lakes on rigs tipped with leeches worked in waters as deep as 20 feet. Muskie action has been good in the shallows, with reports of 43-, 44-, 50-inch fish being taken. Panfish anglers are catching fish using waxworms. Crappies on currently on their beds.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleye action has been great, with many limits of nice 14- to 17-inch fish being taken. A fireball jig and shiner seems to be working best, however many anglers are taking fish on leeches and roach rigs. Most of the walleyes are coming off the shoreline breaks along the North Shore, at the rocks at Raven’s Point, and at Sugar Bar and Musky Bay. Stay on the move until you locate active fish. Northern pike fishing has been somewhat slow, although some anglers are taking some nice pike from depths of 18-25 feet when fishing for walleyes. There have been reports of good perch fishing around the Dishes and Third River Bay areas. The best approach has been a small jig and minnow. As the weather warms, check the deeper humps and bars as well. Bass fishing has been excellent, with fish up to 22-inches, and one up to 5-pounds, 6 ounces, being reported. Most are hanging at the edges and hitting spinnerbaits and plastics.

WALKER
Good numbers of walleyes are being caught on Leech Lake, although most are slot fish. Northern pike anglers are reporting quite a few nice-sized fish. Some anglers are also having fun fishing for perch.

HACKENSACK
Ten Mile and Birch lakes are giving up some nice walleyes. Area lakes are producing quite a few bass and some large crappies.

PARK RAPIDS
Walleye fishing has been best on Big Sand Lake in 11 feet of water, with leeches taking the most fish. Northern pike are biting on Big Mantrap Lake in 9 feet of water. Crappies can be found in 3-5 foot depths on Big Mantrap Lake. Bluegills are hitting waxworms in 10 feet of water on the Crow Wing Chain.

DETROIT LAKES
Walleyes continue to bite on Pelican, Crystal, Ice Cracking, Island, Big Toad, Cotton, Detroit, Lizzie and Big Cormorant lakes. The best approach has been a jig tipped with a fathead or shiner worked in 22-30 feet of water, however lindy rigs tipped with minnows or leeches are taking fish as well. Largemouth bass action remains strong, with a jig and tube, or a spinnerbait taking numbers at the edge of the weeds in depths of 4-12 feet. Some crappies can still be found shallow, but most of the larger fish have moved out to 10-18 foot depths along the cabbage beds. Sunfish are still up in the shallows and hitting almost anything thrown their way! For northern pike, try a jig and minnow along the deepwater weed edges.

BATTLE LAKE
Fishing has been very good, with walleyes being pulled from 14-22 feet of water on Ottertail, Clitheral, and West and East Battle lakes. On Ottertail, work the shallow flats during evening hours. For the most fish, try shiners on Ottertail, and minnows and leeches on the other area lakes. Many muskies are being caught and released on Battle Lake. Bass are hitting on all area lakes, but especially on Blanche, West Battle and South Turtle lakes. Panfish remain in the shallows.

ALEXANDRIA
Walleyes are active during lowlight hours in 6 feet of water. Most anglers are taking fish using leeches or minnows on a 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jig. Crappies can be found in depths of 5-7 feet at the weeds.

STARBUCK
Bass are active on most area lakes, with walleye anglers reporting numbers of largemouth bass when fishing 16-18 feet of water. For walleye, try spinnerbaits at the bulrushes close to shore during lowlight hours. During the day, try shiner minnows and leeches, especially on Lake Mary, Long Lake, and along the west end of Lake Emily. Sunnies and crappies continue to be pulled from Lake Minnewaska.

BRAINERD
Crappies are being pulled from the deeper pencil reeds. Sunfish are on their beds, at the transition zone between the pencil reeds and the cabbage weeds. Bass are active on the backside of the weed beds. Walleye fishing continues to improve.

CROSSLAKE
Walleyes are being taken from area lakes on jigs and lindy rigs tipped with minnows or crawlers. The key has been a very slow presentation. For the most fish, try 18-26 feet of water on Upper Whitefish and Crosslakes. Northern pike are hitting spinnerbaits tipped with sucker minnows at the weedlines. Crappies, and numbers of large panfish can be found in the shallows of Loon and Hidden lakes, as well as most of the smaller area lakes.

NISSWA
Walleyes are hitting shiners and leeches in 22-26 feet of water, especially on Gull, North Long and Pelican lakes. Bass action remains strong, with spinnerbaits working well in the shallows. Northern pike are active on the Gull Lake Chain, as well as Nisswa and Roy lakes. Many anglers are finding a few crappies lingering in the shallows. Look for some large sunfish in the shallows using small leeches or waxworms. And, don’t forget that it’s Take A Kid Fishing Weekend, June 10-12, where Minnesota residents may fish for free with youngsters up to age 16. To find out more, dial 1-888-MINN-DNR

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, the north end, and the corner from Carlsona to Agate Bay have been the most productive areas for walleyes. Anglers are also starting to have success at the mud flats and deep rock reefs. Anglers may also want to consider the gravel. The top spots this week include the Needle, Three Mile, Pope’s Point, and the Graveyard. For the most fish, try a leeches under a slip bobber or floating snell. For smallmouth bass, hit 3 foot depths, or less, in the bays. Muskie action has been good, with one angler taking both a 48- and a 49-inch Saturday morning.

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TWIN CITIES FISHING REPORT

ST. CLOUD
The panish bite has been excellent, with some very large fish being pulled from the shallows. The best approach has been a waxworm and plain hook worked in the weeds on Grand, Pearl, and Becker lakes. Crappies can be found using a flu flu jig and crappie minnow, or a road runner and beetle spin. Walleye action has been outstanding on Rice and Horseshoe lakes in 15 feet of water — for the most fish, try a leech or shiner during evening hours. Northern pike are hitting anything thrown their way, although sucker minnows, daredevils and spinnerbaits have been extremely productive. Large bass are being pulled from the shallow weeds and docks, especially on Pleasant, Grand, Goodner and Pearl lakes.

EDEN VALLEY
Koronis and Rice lakes are producing walleyes in 16-20 feet of water, although some still can be found along the weeds. Leeches remain the bait of choice, however crawlers and fatheads are also working well. Largemouth bass are being pulled from the Horseshoe Chain, and smallmouth bass action has been best on Lake Koronis. Sunfish are becoming more active.

ANNANDALE
On Clearwater Lake, walleyes are hitting lindy rigs and leeches in 10-15 feet of water. Northern pike action remains strong, with numbers of fish hitting sucker minnows under a bobber in depths of 10-15 feet. The weedline in front of BJ’s Bait has been excellent from some large pike. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and plastic worms in the shallows. For sunnies, hit the shallows, with a few preparing their beds. Anglers are spotfishing crappies in the shallows. And, the Bow and Arrow Carp Tournament is this weekend on Clearwater Lake — reports indicate that spawning had not began as of early this week.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, a few muskies in the 38- to 39-inch range were reported last weekend. Fish were found in the shallows at Renike’s on the northeast corner, and in the beach area at the inside weed edge. Bass are hitting in both the deep and shallow waters of Anderson’s Reef, along the north shore under the docks, and in the reeds and bulrushes. Panfish remain shallow, and crappies remain on their beds. The best walleye bite has been at night.

CHISAGO CITY
Bass fishing is excellent on Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes, with spinnerbaits working best. Walleyes are active during lowlight hours in depths of 8-21 feet. For the most fish, try Chisago, South Lindstrom and South Center lakes. Sunfish action has been good on most area lakes off the docks, with small leeches and waxworms taking the most fish.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

MANKATO
Sunfish are hitting mini mites and waxworms under a bobber in the shallow bays on Washington Lake. Crappies can be found using crappie minnows in 5 feet of water in Baker’s Bay on the north end of Washington. Huge catfish are hitting large suckers and chubs on the Minnesota River. Largemouth bass are active in the weeds of Lake Tetonka. Crappies and walleyes are being caught from shore on Crystal Lake. The best approach has been a spinner rig and nightcrawler trolled on Lura Lake. Large northern pike are being pulled from Little Jeff Lake on rattling raps worked near shore.

MONTEVIDEO
Excellent fishing is being reported on Lake Lac Qui Parle. Crappies are very active at the rock piles in roughly 6 feet of water. Walleyes can be found on the south end of Lac Qui Parle using a jig, or a slip bobber and minnow, in 9 feet of water. The better locations include Boyd’s Rock, the Clay Banks, and Watson Rock. Anglers are also having success pulling crankbaits along the north end at Hantho’s. Large catfish are biting on the Minnesota River.

ORTONVILLE
The walleye bite has been good on Big Stone Lake. Anglers are having success casting plugs or shad raps, especially during eveing hours and past dark. A leech and bobber is also working well. During the day, try trolling plugs or spinners in deeper waters — the middle and northern parts of Big Stone has been best. The Minnesota River is also producing fish near Odessa, with floating jigs and minnows taking numbers of fish from the bottom.