The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of INTERNATIONAL FALLS, where good numbers of walleyes are being pulled from Rainy Lake and Rainy River.

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.

==========================
NORTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH
Walleyes are very active on Fish and Island lakes in 5-6 feet of water, with crawlers and leeches under slip bobbers working best. Also try a crawler harness 20 feet down. Grand Lake is producing good numbers crappies–fish are averaging 12- to 14-inches. On Caribou Lake, large numbers of nice-sized panfish are being taken. Northern pike are being pulled from Caribou and Grand lakes. On Lake Superior, walleyes are biting in the harbor, from the Bong Bridge down to the lake. For the most fish, try crawler harnesses or crankbaits at the edge of the channels. And Lake Superior anglers report many salmon and trout coming in on spoons and stickbaits worked 40-60 feet down.

KABETOGAMA
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, anglers are taking good numbers of walleyes measuring over 14-inches. Most fish can be found in 18-28 feet of water on overcast days, and in depths of 8 feet at the weeds during late evening hours. The current mayfly hatch may result in some finicky walleye for the next few days. Smallmouth bass are chasing crayfish, and hitting both live and artificial baits. For the most fish, try pitching rebel crayfish, heddon torpedoes or rapala shads against the rocks or rocky shorelines. Northern pike should settle into a summer pattern this week–try large minnows under slip bobbers, trolled deep-runners, or pitched stickbaits for the most fish.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleyes are biting in 12-15 feet of water and hitting minnows and nightcrawlers on jigs. Crappies are active at the windward sides of the bays. Northern pike are at the emerging weed edges. Anglers also report a good smallmouth bass bite. On the Rainy River, fishing has been exceptional once you learn the current. Heavy rains have led to high water levels and launching a boat can be difficult. Some anglers are bypassing the launch, and enjoying great fishing from shore.

GRAND RAPIDS
Smallmouth bass action has been great on Pokegama and Trout lakes, with fish hitting crankbaits and leeches at the rocky bars. Largemouth bass are hitting surface lures and Kelly worms. Walleyes are active at the bars, and hitting crawler and leech rigs at the deeper, inside bends. Northstar and Turtle lakes continue to produce many nice-sized walleyes and smallmouth bass. Muskies action is picking up on Northstar and Deer lakes–the best approach has been a surface lure or an inline spinner. Crappies and bluegills are leaving their nests for deeper waters.

==============================
NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, walleye action has been excellent along the South Shore. Anglers are pulling in some good-sized walleyes from the sand points and shorelines where large schools of walleyes are congregating. The best action has been in 24-26 foot depths, with fish chasing minnows, crawlers and leeches on hammered gold spinners. Anglers are also enjoying all of the northern pike action around Bostic and Zippel bays–one party caught 40 northerns in one day. Jumbo perch and smallmouth bass are also biting at Zippel Bay. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, walleye fishing remains exceptional–hit Bridges, Garden and Knight Islands using gold spinners with red beads and a worm for the most fish. The Rainy River has also been great for walleyes. The better locations include around the Baudette International Airport, and one mile east of Baudette. And northern pike and smallmouth bass are coming from the bay at the confluence of the Rapid and Rainy rivers.

BLACKDUCK
Walleyes are hitting lindy rigs with small leeches or crawlers in 14-20 feet of water on Blackduck Lake. A few anglers are also having success trolling crankbaits. Panfish are being pulled from the Twin Lakes. And nearby, Upper Red Lake is producing some nice-sized pike along the shallow water shorelines. For the most fish, try a large bucktail, spoon or crankbait.

BEMIDJI
Walleye anglers are taking fish from 14-18 feet of water on leeches worked on most area lakes. Switch to shad raps after dark. Good walleye lakes include Plantagenet, Andrusia, Kitchi and Bemidji. Muskies can be found using topwater lures and bucktails on Plantagenet, Bemidji and Big lakes. Panfish are hitting crawlers and small crappies minnows on Grace, Midge, Turtle, Sand, Movil, Kitchi, Pimushe, Portage, Bowstring and Grant lakes. And bass are hitting worms, buzzbaits and spinnerbaits on all area lakes. On Cass Lake, walleyes are being pulled from Allen’s Bay, Town Bay, and the humps just south of Star Island on crawlers and leeches. The main lake has been best at night, with thill-lighted bobbers and a leech taking the most fish.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, limits of eating-sized walleyes are coming from the deep breaks on the main bars such as Horseshoe, Moses, Eelpout and Main, as well as some of the humps. It has been key to stay at the edge of the structure and not on top. Try leeches and nightcrawlers on a roach rig and a 4- to 6-foot leader for the most fish–red and orange hooks are currently working best. Anglers are catching and releasing quite a few large, slot walleyes. Some fish are coming from the weeds, but only when the wind blows. Large bluegills are being pulled from the weeds on Big Cutfoot Sioux. Northern pike action should soon improve. A few nice muskies are being reported.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, muskie and northern pike have been very active. Good numbers of perch and panfish are roaming the bays. The humps of Walker Bay have been best for walleyes. The main lake has been good for nice-sized walleyes, especially at twilight. And the best muskie bite is yet to come.

HACKENSACK
Walleye fishing is in full force, with leeches and crawlers trolled at night taking numbers of fish. Bass are very active, and hitting powerbait and worms. Bass are starting to move into the deeper waters. The sunnies are still in the shallows–for the most fish, try small jigs tipped with crappie minnows or small leeches.

PARK RAPIDS
Walleyes are very active on Potato and Big Sand lakes, with fish pulled from 14- and 30-foot depths on leeches and crawlers. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows worked in 14 feet of water on Big Mantrap Lake. Fish Hook Lake has been great for bluegill action in 12 feet of water. Crappies can be found suspended in 20 feet of water on Big Mantrap Lake.

DETROIT LAKES
Walleyes are hitting lindy rigs tipped with crawlers and leeches at the deep weed edges out to 30 feet. The best locations include Little Bemidji, Elbow, Juggler, Pickerel, Cotton, Island and Shell lakes. Ottertail Lake is starting to give up fish on rigs and crawlers worked in depths of 15-19 feet along the breaks and humps. Largemouth bass are hitting topwater lures early in the morning, and jigs and tubes off the deep breaks and points later in the day. Crappies and large bluegills continue to be found off the deep cabbage. Northern pike action is picking up, with jigs and minnows working best along the deep water weeds.

PELICAN RAPIDS
Walleyes are taking leeches and nightcrawlers from 20 feet of water on lakes Lida, Sallie, Lizzie and Round. Large walleyes are active on Prairie Lake, with a 6-pounder recently reported. Sunfish remain on their beds. And for some good bass action, hit the shallow 5- to 6-foot weedlines on Prairie Lake.

BATTLE LAKE
Walleyes can be found in 20-35 feet of water using a floater and leech very slowly. On Ottertail Lake, hit the shallow flats at night. Last weekend’s walleye tournament on Battle Lake produced more large fish than numbers. Panfish are actively hitting small leeches on Stalker, Dead, Clitherall and Battle lakes. For crappies, hit Battle Lake. Muskies are becoming more active. Buzzbaits and spinner blades worked in the weeds have been great for bass. Northern pike can also be found in the weeds using large sucker minnows.

ALEXANDRIA
Panfish are biting on the Le Homme Dieu Chain in 8-12 feet of water, with waxworms and leeches working well. Bass are deeper at the weed edges and hitting jig-n-pigs and crankbaits during early morning hours. Walleyes are taking leeches and crawlers at the 20- to 24-foot weedlines. Try Miltona and Ida lakes during evening hours for the most fish. Lobster, Oscar and Miltona lakes are good for muskies, wiht fish hitting bucktails, suicks, and large plastics. For northern pike, try a spinnerbait at the weedlines on most area lakes.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, walleyes are in 18-20 feet of water hitting leeches, nightcrawlers and spinners. Hit the points, and just in front of the High School for the most fish. Numbers of sunfish are being pulled from 10-12 feet of water on leeches or waxworms on small jigs. Lake Emily is giving up walleyes on shallow-running crankbaits. Bass are active during early morning hours at the docks and lakeside edges of the bulrushes, and hitting spinnerbaits, and leeches under bobbers.

CROSSLAKE
Whitefish and Crosslakes are producing walleyes in 18-24 feet of water on leeches and crawlers. Anglers are having success at dusk while trolling on Whitefish over 40-60 feet of water. Bass are active in the weeds and hitting surface lures and weedless worm rigs. Crappies and sunnies can be found along the 12-foot weedlines, with minnows and waxworms on small jigs working best. Northern pike are hitting spinner rigs and large pike minnows at the weedlines and drop-offs.

NISSWA
Bass fishing has been excellent on many area lakes, with large 15- to 18-inch fish hitting new X-Raps and power worms. Gull Lake is producing walleyes at the weedlines. Pelican and North Long lakes are producing fish on lindy rigs tipped with redtail chubs or leeches worked in 16-24 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting spinners and minnows on the Gull Lake Chain, Lake Edwards and Lake Hubert. For crappies and sunnies, hit 7-10 foot depths at the cabbage weeds.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, good numbers of daytime walleyes continue to be pulled from the mud flats on gold, copper or pink spinners tipped with crawlers. Also try a leech and floating rig worked very slowly at Seven Mile and Center Bars. The deep gravel has been sporadic–for the most fish, try a crawler and spinner. The evening bite has been excellent for numbers of fair-sized walleye, with slip bobbers and leeches working best at your favorite rock reef. These evening fish are active in depths of 6-28 feet, tight to the structure, after 8 p.m. Northern pike are hitting suckers under a bobber at Cove and Vineland. For smallmouth bass, hit 3-8 feet of water using small crankbaits and plastic grubs, especially at Hawkbill Reef.

====================
TWIN CITIES FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD
Northern pike and bass action has been good on Grand, Pearl, Pleasant, Long and Clearwater lakes. Panfish are active on Pearl, Fish Trap, Big Fish and Maple lakes, in the shallows and 12 feet deep. Mississippi River levels are dropping, and walleyes and crappies are active after dark.

EDEN VALLEY
Bass are active on Koronis, Horseshoe and Cedar Island lakes at the weeds. Walleyes are being pulled from 25-27 feet of water on leeches and crawlers worked on Lake Koronis. Crappies can be found on Rice Lake. The Horseshoe Chain is giving up both crappies and sunnies. Northern pike are hitting daredevils and sucker minnows on most area lakes.

ANNANDALE
Clearwater Lake is producing sunfish at the 10-foot weedlines on ice fly jigs tipped with angle worms and crawlers. Crappies have moved out deeper, but at sunset hit the 15-foot weedlines. Also check under the docks that have a deep drop-off. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows under bobbers at the 10- to 15-foot weedlines. White and yellow spinners are also working, but live bait seems to be best. Bass can be found using plastics in the shallows and at the weedline breaks. For a few walleyes, try leeches in 15 feet of water, with yellow or green lindy rig and spinner rig set-ups working best.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, some very nice sunnies and crappies can be found in the shallows out to 12 feet deep depending on the time of day and weather. Largemouth bass are very active at the pencil reeds and weed edges.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, the deeper 22- to 28-foot weedlines are producing walleyes, especially during early morning and late evening hours. The best approach has been a crawler and spinner, with an orange or chartreuse blade. Bass are in the weeds, and hitting Texas rigs, plastics and jigs at the outside weed edges. Northern pike have been very active, with spinnerbaits and small sucker minnows taking fish from 12-15 foot depths. Sunnies are in 3-5 feet of water hitting small jigs and waxworms. A few crappies are being pulled from 12-14 feet of water in the smaller bays. For muskies, use small bucktails during lowlight hours on Independence and Minnetonka lakes.

CHISAGO CITY
Crappies can be found suspended in the deep waters hitting crappie minnows and waxworms. Walleyes are in transition between hard and soft bottom areas in 18-20 feet of water. Bass fishing has been excellent, with many large fish coming in. Sunrise Lake is giving up some large northern pike.

=====================
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

MANKATO
The Minnesota River is producing some very large flathead catfish–to handle these fish, use large suckers or creek chubs on a large hook with a heavy weight. Lura Lake walleyes are in the weeds hitting weedless jigs and large leeches. Lake Washington walleyes are in the 4- to 6-foot weeds taking jigs and leeches. White husky jerks are also producing fish. Sunfish are biting in Baker’s Bay and off 2nd Point. Crappies are active in depths of 18-25 feet. Bass are slamming chartreuse and white spinnerbaits on Lake Washington. For large northern pike, hit the weeds on Little Jeff Lake.

MONTEVIDEO
Fishing remains good, despite the high water levels on Lake Lac qui Parle and the Minnesota River. On Lac qui Parle, walleyes are hitting crankbaits and minnows at the Twin Bridges, and at some of the flats along the north end. The Minnesota River is giving up walleyes on jig and minnow combinations. Catfish are taking crawlers on the river.

ORTONVILLE
On Big Stone Lake, most walleyes are being caught while trolling spinners and nightcrawlers in the Sodak and Bonanza areas. The weed edges around the Islands are also producing walleyes. Crappies are extremely active throughout Artichoke Lake, with jigs and minnows worked in 5-7 feet of water taking good numbers of fish.