The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of RED WING, where anglers are taking a mixed bag of walleyes, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass from the Mississippi 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.

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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

DULUTH
Lake Superior is producing good numbers of trout, salmon and walleyes, especially on pink and purple lures and rigs. Lake trout are active 120-160 feet down, and hitting flashers and flies. Spoons worked in shallower depths are taking salmon. Walleyes can be found along the South Shore, roughly four miles out. Walleyes are also being pulled from Island Lake on bobbers and leeches, as well as crawlers and lindy rigs, worked in 14-18 feet of water. On Fish Lake, try a slip bobber and leech at the 8-foot weedlines for a few walleyes. Caribou Lake is giving up quite a few largemouth bass. For muskies, hit Island Lake, as well as the shallow water weedlines on most area lakes. Bluegills are going strong on Nichols and Caribou lakes. And, smallmouth bass and muskie action has been excellent on the St. Louis River–for the most fish, try a topwater lure.

KABETOGAMA
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, early morning bobber anglers are having success with the walleyes. Bobbers and slip bobbers worked just outside the weeds and in the weed pockets are producing lots of northern pike, smallmouth bass, and an occasional walleye. During evening hours, use a slip sinker rig tipped with a leech or crawler at the reef structure and rock pile edges–depths of 12-28 feet have been best depending on the weather. For walleyes and northern pike, try an artificial lure trolled along the shoreline in 12-16 feet of water. Troll or pitch surface lures in and around the weedy bays and weedlines for northern pike and smallmouth bass.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, the fish have headed to deeper, cooler waters, and have become a little more difficult to locate. For walleyes, look for moving water, such as around Kettle Falls and Ranier, and toss in a minnow or leech. On the Rainy River, work diving lures through the deepest holes. Northern pike remain aggressive, and river anglers report that the sturgeon can still be seen breaching the water near the rapids. Smallmouth bass action has been great, both in the river and on the lake. The Big Fork, Littlefork and Rainy River landings are all in good shape despite the recent high water levels.

GRAND RAPIDS
Walleyes are being pulled from Bowstring Lake on rigs tipped with crawlers and leeches worked at the humps. Perch are also being taken on small jigs and crappie minnows, especially from the weedlines out to 18 feet. Little Island, Balsam, Spider and Round lakes are producing good numbers of bass. Northern pike are being taken on minnows and spoons. The Bowstring River has been good for sunfish.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, stable weather patterns have led to excellent fishing throughout the lake. Northern pike remain extremely active in the tributaries leading to the Rainy River. Smallmouth bass are hitting soft-bodied tube baits on fat rapalas worked along the shoreline of the Rainy River where there is a steep drop. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, anglers are taking huge muskies on surface lures. Walleye action is very good at the rocks and reefs. Just some of the hot spots include Big Island, Little Oak Island, and the north and south sides of Garden Island. For the most success, try a jig tipped with minnows or crawlers. And many trophy-sized walleyes are coming in from all over the South Shore.

BLACKDUCK
The smaller area lakes are giving up good numbers of panfish. Hit the weed edges of Gilstad and the Twin lakes for sunnies and crappies. For the most fish, use small leeches and crappie minnows. On Upper Red Lake, huge northern pike are being pulled from the flowing water near Tamarack, Ditch #5, and Shotley Brook.

BEMIDJI
Panfish are very active on Grace and Big Bass lakes. Bluegills can be found suspended over the weeds in 10-15 feet of water using waxworms or grubs, especially during lowlight hours. Bass are hitting plastics worked over the lily pads on Lake Thirteen, as well as North and South Twin, and Grace lakes. The walleye bite is picking up on Lake Bemidji, with fish hitting spinners and twistertails trolled over the flats. During the day, try crawlers in 7-10 feet of water, and at night, use shad raps in depths of 12-15 feet, especially over Diamond Point. Lakes Bemidji and Plantagenet are producing muskies on topwater lures, with a 50-inch fish recently reported.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, anglers continue to find quite a few eating-sized and larger slot fish each day. Rainbow spinners are working well, with nightcrawlers and leeches also producing fish. The mid-lake humps are giving up some nice fish to patient anglers, including some large jumbo perch. Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake can be counted on for walleyes. Try a rig tipped with a leech or nightcrawler in 12-16 feet of water, especially near Battle Point, and the flats near the Gap on the Cutfoot side. Crappies are active early and late in the day, in and around Williams Narrows.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, muskies are hitting white bucktails and other topwater lures at the weed edges. Largemouth bass action has been excellent in the rice beds. The panfish are also very active. Walleyes are being pulled from Walker and Agency bays during the day. At night, try bobber fishing at Sand Point with leeches.

HACKENSACK
A few walleyes continue to be pulled from Ten Mile, Birch and Woman lakes. Try leeches during the day, and crankbaits in the shallows during evening hours. Bass are biting on Birch Lake, and sunfish are being pulled from 12-15 feet of water on Pleasant Lake.

PARK RAPIDS
Fish Hook Lake is producing walleyes in 24-30 feet of water on leeches and crawlers. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows worked in depths of 16-18 feet on Long Lake. Panfish are active on the Crow Wing Chain in 14 feet of water, with ice flies and waxworms taking the most fish. And bass action has been excellent on most area lakes.

DETROIT LAKES
Walleyes are being taken on fuzz-e-grubs and minnows worked at the deepwater humps and weedlines. Some of the lakes to check out include Big Cormorant, Detroit, White Earth, Strawberry, Shell, Lizzie, Lida, Cotton and Big Toad. The largemouth bass bite remains excellent along the deepwater weedlines on most area lakes, with jigs tipped with plastic tubes or plastic worms working best. Northern pike fishing is picking up on Lake Melissa along the steep breaks. Sunfish are hitting little nipper jigs tipped with a small plastic tail or waxworm. Look for the largest fish at the deepwater weedlines.

BATTLE LAKE
Panfish can be found in depths of 15-18 feet on Blanche, Rush, Star Crystal and Battle lakes. Bass action has been excellent on most area lakes–for the most fish, try tossing a spinnerbait or frog into the weeds. Northern pike are being taken when trolling sucker minnows through the weeds. For a few walleyes, hit Battle Lake using leeches in 30 feet of water during evening hours. Also try small spinners tipped with leeches or nightcrawlers on Star and Pelican lakes. And muskie anglers are having success on Battle Lake while trolling or casting heavy baits into the weeds.

ALEXANDRIA
Crappies are biting at the deep weedlines during lowlight hours on the Le Homme dieu Chain of Lakes. During the day, look for bluegills at the deep cabbage weeds and coontail in 14-18 feet of water on most area lakes. Bass action remains steady in the shallows, with fish hitting soft plastics at the docks and bulrushes. The deep weedline bite is also good on Carolina rigs and crankbaits. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows along the deep weedlines, as well as trolled or cast brightly-colored crankbaits. A few walleyes are being taken on trolled crankbaits after dark, and on a slip bobber and leech worked in 18-26 feet during early morning hours on Miltona and Carlos lakes.

STARBUCK
Channel cats are biting at the Benson area of the Chippewa River. On Lake Minnewaska, hit 12-14 feet of water using small leeches or waxworms for sunfish, or crappie minnows for the crappies. Bass are holding right off the 12- to 14-foot weedlines. For the most fish, try dark-colored plastic worms. And for a few walleyes, hit 25-28 feet of water using lindy rigs tipped with nightcrawlers or leeches.

CROSSLAKE
Walleyes can be found in 34-38 feet on Crosslake, Upper Whitefish and Pelican lakes using lindy rigs tipped with redtail chubs. Northern pike action has been good on pike minnows and spinner rigs worked in 18 foot depths along the weedlines, especially on Mission and Whitefish lakes. Bass can be found in the weeds and under the docks using spinnerbaits or plastics. Crappies can be found suspended in depths of 12-14 feet, especially in areas with shade. The best approach has been to cast, and slowly retrieve, small 1/16-ounce jigs and twistertails, with or without minnows.

NISSWA
Anglers are having a great time catching lots of bass and northern pike, as well as a few crappies and sunfish. The bass and pike are hanging along the deep weed-edges in depths of 10-18 feet. For the most bass, try dark-colored plastics in 2-18 feet of water on Gull and North Long lakes, as well as many of the smaller area lakes. Northern pike are slamming spinnerbaits tipped with minnows, as well as lindy rigs and redtail chubs at the weedbeds. Crappie anglers are having success during morning and evening hours using thumper jigs tipped with a puddle jumper trolled through 10-14 feet of water. Good numbers of bass are also being taken. Nice-sized bluegills are being pulled from 15-20 feet of water on Gull and North Long lakes. The best approach has been a small jig tipped with a panfish leech or worm, fished under a slip bobber. And a few nice walleyes can be found in 25-40 feet during morning hours. During evening hours, concentrate on 15-20 foot depths. And night bobber fishing has been excellent using a lindy lighted bobber and a leech.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, the mud flats, such as Seven Mile, Curley’s and Greg’s, remain the best bet for fishing during the day. Spinners with crawlers or leeches have been the most effective. On windy days, try bobber-fishing up on the rock reefs, such as Three Mile, Agate and Banana. Please remember that the Mille Lacs walleye slot has loosened to a 22-28 release slot. This means you can harvest four walleyes under 22-inches, or three under 22-inches and one over 28-inches. Smallmouth bass remain active on the 3-8 foot rock reefs, with fish hitting skitter pops, power craws and tubes. For muskies, use Awakers and Bulldogs.

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TWIN CITIES FISHING REPORT

ST. CLOUD
Panfish are biting on Pearl, Sylvia, Sugar, Goodner and Pleasant lakes–try waxworms and leeches at the cabbage beds and deep weed edges. Bass continue to attack spinnerbaits worked over the flats, and weedless topwater baits tossed into heavy cover–Sugar and Cedar lakes have been best. Fly anglers are taking bass and northern pike on Dahlberg Divers. A few walleyes are coming from area lakes during lowlight hours in the weeds and in deeper waters. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows and artificials on Big Swan and Pleasant lakes, just off the 10- to 17-foot weedlines. The Mississippi River is producing northern pike, catfish and smallmouth bass-try smaller artificial lures, leeches, minnows and crayfish for the smallies. Fly fishing on the Mississippi River has been best using weighted wooly buggers, conehead leeches, and sculpin or crayfish streamers. Catfish are very active on the Sauk River, and hitting sucker minnows and gobs of nightcrawlers in the holes at all hours of the day.

EDEN VALLEY
The Horseshoe Chain, Long, Browns, Cedar Island, Becker, Rice and Koronis lakes are producing sunfish in 4-12 feet of water on small jigs tipped with a waxworm or angleworm. Crappies are becoming more active in 15 feet of water on Rice and Koronis lakes–try a flu flu jig and crappie minnow for the most fish. Northern pike are being pulled from most area lakes. Smallmouth bass are active in the shallows, out to 20 foot depths. A few walleyes are being taken during early morning and late evening hours, just before dark. The best approach has been a lindy rig and leech on Koronis, Rice and Grand lakes.

ANNANDALE
Numerous northern pike are being pulled from the 15-20 foot weedlines on Clearwater Lake, with suckers minnows under bobbers or trolled working best. Bass are hitting plastic worms and lizards during early morning hours at the weedlines and cabbage. Walleyes can be found in 20-25 feet of water on Clearwater Lake using lindy rigs and spinner rigs tipped with leeches. Sunnies are hitting waxworms and angle worms in depths of 10-15 feet.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, muskies are active at the 15-20 foot weedlines, with a few northern pike mixed in. Bass and sunfish are also hitting at the weedlines. For bass, work the pencil reeds on the west and north ends of the lake. Walleye anglers are taking a few fish while bobber fishing around Kegg’s Reef at night. During the day, try a jig tipped with a leech or minnow around Red’s and North reefs. Crappies can be found in the deeper waters around the reefs.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, sunfish are biting in shallow water bays. Largemouth bass are active at the outside weed edges, and hitting spinnerbaits. Bobber fishing with a sucker minnow at the weedlines is producing some northern pike.

CHISAGO CITY
Panfish are hitting at the outside weedlines in 10-12 feet of water, especially on Chisago, South Center and Sunrise lakes. Northern pike are also biting at the weedlines, and hitting medium sucker minnows under a bobber on North Center and Chisago lakes. Walleye action has been best on Green Lake, and off Sunset Point on South Center Lake in 17-23 feet of water, with leeches and fatheads working best. For bass, hit the deep weedlines of Chisago and Green lakes.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

RED WING
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are being pulled from the backwaters of the Mississippi River towards Wabasha. For the most fish, hit Indian Slough, or the wingdams in front of Reed’s Landing using artificial baits, such as a scum frog or moss boss. Walleye action has been best pulling crankbaits on the Maiden Rock flats. Northern pike action has been good using sucker minnows under bobbers where the Rush River flows into the Mississippi River.

MANKATO
Catfish are taking large suckers on the Minnesota River. Walleyes are being pulled from Lake Washington at night–for the most fish, try trolling spinners with crawlers or leeches. On Big Jeff Lake, use spinnerbaits for numbers of northern pike. Bass and pike are biting at the shallow weeds on Lake Washington. And for crappies and sunnies, hit 12 foot depths at Grassy Island.

MONTEVIDEO
Catfish are biting on the Minnesota River, especially at the snags and current breaks. For the most fish, use suckers, cutbait or nightcrawlers.

ORTONVILLE
Catfish are being pulled from the Minnesota River at the Hwy 75 Dam near the town of Odessa. On Big Stone Lake, panfish are active on the south end of the lake. Bluegills and perch are being caught at Skeleton Island along the weed edges in 7-8 feet of water.