The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of DULUTH, where good numbers of walleyes are being pulled from inland lakes just to the north.

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 And, please consult Minnesota DNR rules and regulations for slot limits on specific lakes.

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

DULUTH
Fish Lake has been excellent for walleyes, especially at Seagull Island, with slip bobbers and leeches taking fish from 6-8 feet of water. On Island Lake, successful anglers are using crankbaits in depths of 14-18 feet. Grand Lake is producing good numbers of crappies, with fish averaging 12- to 14-inches. Walleyes are being taken on crawlers and leeches. On Caribou Lake, anglers report good numbers of walleyes and nice-sized panfish. For northern pike, hit Caribou and Grand lakes. On Lake Superior, anglers report steady salmon and trout action along the North and South Shores. The best presentations include spoons, stickbaits, and stickbaits with downriggers. Walleyes are moving deeper on the St. Louis River, and smallmouth bass action has been excellent for anglers using topwater baits.

KABETOGAMA
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, smallmouth bass have become more active, and are chasing live bait, as well as lures. Look in the shallows near the mouths of the creeks, or at the shallow rock bars for the most fish. Northern pike action has slowed, with fish found at the deep weeds looking for baitfish. The best approach has been trolling lures in front of the weedlines at Tom Cod Bay, Nebraska Bay, Daily Bay and Blind Ash Bay on Lake Kabetogama, and just outside the Lake Namakan weedlines. Walleyes can be found in depths of 22-28 feet on Lake Kabetogama, especially at the reefs, sandbar edges, and current-fed inlets and outlets. For the most fish, try a leech or crawler on a lindy rig, bead and red hook, or a jig with a 5-foot snell. Anglers using crawlers should either use a float or inflate the crawler. Lake Namakan anglers are doing well using leeches and minnows.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
Rainy Lake and the Rainy River are producing good numbers of fish. Smallmouth bass are aggressively guarding their nests, and are expected to become even more aggressive. Anglers are having the most success with the walleyes early in the day, especially in the Sand Bay area near the Ranier Rapids, and in most of the popular bays towards the east. The local DNR expects walleye to move towards the reefs and to become more active due to recent hot temperatures. Crappies can be found throughout area waters, and muskie fishing should soon improve. Currently, the Rainy River, Little Fork and Big Fork rivers are swollen due to recent rains, and fishing has been very good. Reports indicate many limits being taken shortly after leaving the boat launch. Please be aware of high current areas.

GRAND RAPIDS
Walleyes are being pulled from Lake Pokegama on jigs and shiners worked in roughly 9 feet of water during early morning hours. The night bite has started on the bars, and fish are being taken using long-lined blue and silver rapalas over the flats. The rocky bars seem to also be holding numbers of smallmouth bass–for the most fish, try crankbaits or leeches on a rig. Bowstring Lake is producing walleyes on the Inger side, and at the humps on the north end in 17-19 feet of water. The best approach has been a small shiner minnow. Spider, Wabana and Balsam lakes have been great for northern pike and bass.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

BAUDETTE
Water levels on the Rainy River continue to rise due to recent rains, however the outflow at the Norman Dam is at maximum capacity and levels should stabilize soon. Smallmouth bass and northern pike action has been very good in the bays, and in the inlets to the Rainy River. The confluence of the Rapid and Rainy River near Clementson is always an excellent smallmouth bass spot. On Lake Of The Woods, anglers are reporting good to excellent fishing. The Northwest Angle and Islands area is giving up many large fish, especially around Garden Island in 22-26 feet of water. The best presentation continues to be hammered gold spinners, tipped with minnows or worms. Fishing along the South Shore, outside the Lighthouse Gap, and along Pine Island has proven very productive for many anglers, with quite a few 12- to 14-inch walleyes coming in on spinners, tipped with a minnow or crawler. Depths of 10-15 feet seem to be best. One angler pulled some very large walleyes from the reed beds of Zippel Bay. Also in the bay, northern pike action has been exceptional, with many northerns measuring 30- to 36-inches. A few 40-inch fish were also reported.

BLACKDUCK
The walleye bite has been good on Blackduck Lake in 14-20 feet of water of water, with leeches and crawlers producing quite a few fish. Use lindy rigs during the day, and during evening hours switch to slip bobbers. Good numbers of panfish are being reported on most area lakes, especially on Rabideau and the Twin lakes.

BEMIDJI
Lake Bemidji produced some nice walleyes on redtails and crawlers worked in 14-18 foot depths during last weekend’s tournament. Walleyes are currently moving deeper on most area lakes, and anglers are switching to rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers. Northern pike are very active on Bemidji and Marquette lakes. Anglers report seeing muskies in the shallow cabbage, with a 52.5-inch fish recently caught and released on Lake Bemidji. The best approach has been a slammertail. Trout anglers doing well using powerbait from shore on Newman and Benjamin lakes. And panfish have been active on lakes throughout the area.

CASS LAKE
On Cass Lake, Allen’s Bay is producing numbers of walleyes, especially in 12-17 feet of water during lowlight hours. During the day, drop down to depths of 22-29 feet and check out Town Bay. Some nice fish are coming from the humps south of Star Island on crawlers and large leeches. At night, try East Star Island and related humps, as well as Northwest Cedar Bar using crankbaits, spinner and shiner combinations, or a lighted bobber and leech. Andrusia and Kitchi lakes continue to give up great numbers of walleyes due to high water levels. Bluegills are preparing to spawn — please release all bluegills over 8.5-inches to maintain the fishery.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleyes can be found from Mallard to Raven’s points, well as the north end of the Pigeon River at the rockpiles. The best approach has been a max gap jig and double-hooked shiner. Lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers are also taking fish–hit the weeds in 7-9 feet of water, or 15-22 foot depths at the humps for the most fish. According to other area anglers, the walleye bite has also been good the off the main lake bars, such as Bena, Big and Little Musky, Moses, and Moxie’s. The shoreline breaks and weeds are producing eating-size fish on jigs and shiners, while the off-shore spots have been giving up fish on leeches, crawlers, and rigs. Perch action has been excellent at the rockpiles and deeper humps. For crappies, hit the deeper weedlines, with quite a few 12- to 14-inch fish being taken.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, many large walleyes are being taken, although quite a few are in the slot limit as well. Muskies are becoming more active, and bass fishing remains excellent. Good numbers of crappies can be found in 10-14 foot depths. Bluegills are at the emergent vegetation. Jumbo perch are hanging at the 8-14 foot cabbage. Northern pike anglers report catching 25-40 pike a day! And northern pike and panfish action has been great on the smaller area lakes.

HACKENSACK
Bass are hitting live and plastic baits in the shallows of area lakes. Sunnies and crappies are being pulled from deeper waters on minnows, crawlers and small leeches on small, white or yellow jigs. Walleyes can be found in various depths, with fish hitting crawlers worked in 10-18 feet of water. Leeches and minnows continue to take some fish as well. Towards dark, try dragging rapalas.

PARK RAPIDS
Walleye action has been best on Big Sand Lake in 20-28 feet of water, with leeches taking the most fish. For northern pike, try 12 foot depths on Fishhook Lake using sucker minnows. Crappies have been most active on Big Mantrap Lake in 12-14 feet, and bluegills are being pulled from depths of 12-14 feet on the Crow Wing Chain. For muskies, hit Big Mantrap Lake using orange and black topwater lures.

DETROIT LAKES
The walleye bite remains good on cloudy, slightly windy days, however it slows down once the sun comes out and the winds subside. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow combination in 17-27 feet of water, with lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers also taking some fish. Some of the better locations include Cotton, Sallie, Melissa, Island, Floyd, Shell and Detroit lakes. Bass fishing remains strong, with fish hitting plastics along the deep weeds. Large crappies can be found along or in the deep cabbage weeds, and the largest bluegills are moving out to the deepwater weedlines.

PELICAN RAPIDS
Sunnies and crappies are very active, and hitting waxworms or nightcralwers on lakes Lizzie, Lida and Prairie. For walleyes, hit Lizzie, Crystal, Pelican and Prairie lakes using a jig and minnow combination, or a lindy rig tipped with a leech or crawler in 17-27 feet of water.

BATTLE LAKE
Walleye action has been best on West Battle Lake in 18-24 feet of water, with some fish also being pulled from waters as deep as 30 feet. For the most fish, try leeches, crawlers and golden shiners. Bass are biting on most area lakes in the shallows, however South Turtle has been the most productive for the larger bass. Northern pike are hitting firetiger rapalas on all area lakes, but especially on Anne and Anna lakes. Anglers are reporting many muskie follows on West Battle Lake.

ALEXANDRIA
Anglers are now fishing the bigger lakes for walleyes–try Lake Miltona at the outside weedline during lowlight hours using leeches and crawlers. The bass bite is good on all area lakes, with fish hitting plastics, such as senko worms, at the weedlines. Crappies are in the cabbage on the Le Homme Dieu Chain–the best approach has been a small twistertail and tube jig in 8-14 feet of water. Bluegills are done spawning and at the cabbage weedlines hitting small leeches and waxworms.

STARBUCK
On Lake Emily, walleye anglers are doing well fishing from both shore and boat. For the most fish, try trolling shallow-running shad raps or rattling raps from boat, or use a fathead or shiner under a bobber from shore. On Lake Minnewaska, walleyes are hitting leeches amd crawlers with a spinner worked in depths of 15-20 feet around the points and drop-offs. Sunnies are hitting small jigs tipped with small leeches or waxworms, especially in 9-10 feet of water along the bulrushes. Largemouth bass are in the shallows around the docks, and at the shoreside edge of the bulrushes. The best approach has been a spinnerbait, or a large leech under a bobber.

BRAINERD
North Long Lake continues to produce good numbers of walleyes on a consistent basis, especially just outside the weeds in 18-20 feet of water. Bass fishing has been great on the smaller area lakes, and the larger lakes should also soon be productive. For the most fish, try a jig tipped with a worm or jig and pig combination–a slow presentation has been key.

CROSSLAKE
Pelican, Whitefish and Crosslake are producing walleyes. Northern pike are active at the weedlines, and hitting sucker minnows on spinner rigs. Bass are taking surface lures and weedless worm rigs. For crappies and sunnies, work small jigs and minnows in 5-12 feet of water.

NISSWA
Good numbers of large bass are being taken on spinnerbaits and plastic tubes worked at the inside weedlines found in 3-7 feet of water on most area lakes. Northern pike are active on the Whitefish Chain, Hubert and The Gull Lake Chain. The best approach has been a spinnerbait tipped with a sucker minnow in 10 feet of water, especially during lowlight hours. Pelican Lake is giving up some nice walleyes on lindy rigs and redtail chubs worked in depths of 20-26 feet along the weed edges. Also check out other area lakes using leeches at the 12-15 foot weedlines. Towards evening, switch to rapala and hit the weedbeds found in 4-8 feet. And for a few bluegills, try a small jig tipped with a waxworm or leech.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, water levels are high, and walleye fishing has been very good. Fish can be found scattered on structure, such as the mud flats, deep gravel, deep rock, shallow rocks, and even the emerging weeds. The best approach has been a slip bobber and leech, however some anglers are having success using crawlers and floating snells in the deeper water. Some of the better locations include Blue Jug Flat, Lakeside Reef, Big Point, Sloppy Joe’s and Otto’s Reef. Please be responsible and practice catch and release to keep the fishery healthy. And, the northern pike and muskie bite is really just starting to heat up!

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TWIN CITIES FISHING REPORT

ST. CLOUD
Panfish are being pulled from the shallow bays and the adjacent, deeper waters on Mud, Sauk, Mary, Sylvia and Victoria lakes. The Mississippi River is running high, with a strong current. For a mixed bag of bass, walleye and northern pike, check out Pleasant, Pearl and Big Birch lakes.

EDEN VALLEY
Panfish are hitting waxworms in the weeds found in roughly 4 feet of water–try waxworms and panfish leeches on Grand, Pearl, Horsehoe and Becker lakes for the most fish. Bass are hitting plastic worms and pig-n-jigs worked in the weeds and at the outside weed edges. Topwater lures should also work well by this weekend. Northern pike are at the 15-foot weedlines hitting sucker minnows on Pearl, Grand, and the Horseshoe Chain. Anglers are catching a few walleyes on Horseshoe, Koronis and Rice lakes in 12-17 feet on jigs and lindy rigs tipped with a leech.

ANNANDALE
Walleyes are hitting leeches in 15 feet of water. Crappies are taking crappie minnows from 10-15 of water at the weedlines. For northern pike, try bobber fishing with sucker minnows in depths of 10-15 feet of water along the weedlines. And sunnies are active behind Bungalow Island on Clearwater Lake.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, muskie action has been excellent, with numerous 40-plus inch fish recently caught and released. Bucktails are working well on the north and south sides of the island, especially at Reinke’s and Peterson’s Creek. Bass are active throughout the lake, and sunnies and crappies are in the midst of their spawn.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, sunnies are active in 3 feet of water, and hitting small jigs tipped with a waxworm. Some of the better locations include the western bays, such as Maxwell, North Arm and Black Lake. Northern pike are in the larger bays, at the deep 12-15 foot weed edges, hitting trolled shad raps, and spinners tipped with a sucker. Muskie can be found up on the flats using white-colored bucktails, especially during afternoon hours. Walleyes are in depths of 35 feet during the day, and in 18-19 feet of water at the weed edges during evening hours. The best approach has been a leech and floater. Crappies are in the weeds, but some can be found in the smaller bays. Hit 10-12 feet of water using a jig and minnow for the most fish. Bass are also in the weeds, and hitting senko worms.

CHISAGO CITY
Bass action has been excellent at the curlytail weeds and off the points in 8-10 feet of water, especially on Chisago Lake. Panfish are active throughout the area. For northern pike, try a sucker minnow under a bobber in depths of 10-12 feet on any area lake.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

MANKATO
Sunnies and crappies are hitting mini-mites and gypsy jigs tipped with a waxworm in 10-12 feet on Washington Lake. Crappies also biting on German Lake in depths of 12-15 feet. Large bass are being pulled from Lake Francis. For northern pike and bass, hit Big Jeff Lake.

MONTEVIDEO
On Lake Lac qui Parle, huge sunfish are being taken on small jigs tipped with waxworms or maggots. For crappies, use minnows. And for walleye, hit Lac qui Parle or the Minnesota River using crankbaits.

ORTONVILLE
Big Stone Lake is producing some really nice walleyes on trolled spinners and plugs, especially at the north end, from Bonanza to the Elk Farm. Also try working the weedlines using jigs near the Meadowbrook Park area. Artichoke Lake is giving up crappies along the south end of the lake. The best approach has been a crappie minnow and jig in 4-5 feet of water.