The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of KABETOGAMA, where area lakes are giving up good numbers of walleyes.

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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NORTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

Duluth
Lake Superior is producing trout and salmon 90 feet down in 100-plus feet of water, and at the surface near Silver Bay. Walleyes are coming from the South Shore on stickbaits pulled through the top 30 feet of water. The St. Louis River is giving up walleyes on crawler harnesses worked at the channels. Inland lakes are also producing good numbers of walleyes. Pike Lake is producing walleyes on lindy rigs and crawlers worked in 17 feet of water, with perch hitting crappie minnows in depths of 30 feet. Fish Lake walleyes are hitting crankbaits on the flats in 14-18 feet of water, and bluegills are coming from the 4-6 foot weedlines on small crappie minnows. On Island Lake, try planer boards and snap weights in 20-plus foot depths for walleyes. Walleyes and crappies are coming from Rice Lake on spinners and crawlers in 6 feet of water. Bass are extremely active on Caribou Lake, and hitting topwater lures and spinners in the shallows.

Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, recent hot temperatures limited walleye action to early morning and late evening hours. With the cooler temperatures, fish can be found at all hours of the day. Walleyes are hitting once again at the deeper reef structure with a sharp vertical incline. Anglers are taking the most fish on gold- or perch-colored crankbaits or heavily weighted slip-sinker rigs trolled over 2 miles per hour. At the windswept shorelines, try gold lures. On hot days, afternoons are still productive at the weeds, with spinnerbaits, floating rapalas, and light spoons taking northern pike, smallmouth bass and a few walleyes. The tip of the week is to use a fast presentation and change locations and techniques often.

International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes have moved into slightly deeper waters, and are hitting just about any live bait. Thirty foot depths have been best this week. Smallmouth bass are active in areas with structure and shade, with crayfish-style lures working best. Yellow and white twister tails are taking fish as well. Northern pike can be found at the edges of the weed beds, and ready to strike anything bright.

Grand Rapids
Walleye action has been best during lowlight hours, and at night. For the most fish, try a rig tipped with a crawler or leech, or a long-lined rapala when trolling. The 18- to 25-foot bars on Lake Pokegama are giving up some nice fish. For some good perch action, hit the bars on Bowstring Lake. Northern pike and bass are providing anglers with the most action–for the most fish, hit the deep cabbage weeds using plastics. Some crappies are being pulled from Bowstring, Sand, Cutfoot Sioux and Portage lakes. For muskies, hit Moose and North Star lakes, as well as the Mississippi River.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, the Northwest Angle and Islands area is giving up excellent numbers of walleyes and muskies. Anglers are having success in 20-30 feet of water using hammered gold jigs or spinners, as well as lindy rigs with minnows, crawlers or leeches. Walleyes in the 2- to 3-pound range are common around Little Oak Island, Garden Island and Four Blocks. Muskies weighing 20- to 30-pounds are also common, with a giant 53-inch muskie recently released. The Rainy River has been great for smallmouth bass and northern pike action along the shore near steep drops. For the most fish, try soft-bodied tube baits on fat raps. Gigantic sturgeon can still be seen rolling and splashing in the river. Along the South Shore, walleyes are being taken by downrigging in 30-35 foot depths. Bait fishing remains productive at Graceton Reef, the rock pile by Birch Beach, and near Zippel Bay State Park. The best approach has been a gold spinner tipped with a worm or leech. Downrigging is producing walleyes 7-10 miles out on the lake, with many 20- to 24-inch fish coming in on shad raps. One angler recently took an 11-pound walleyes 5 miles north of Zippel Bay. At Big Traverse, north of Long Point, limits of walleyes are being taken while trolling 4 feet off the bottom.

Blackduck
The Twin Lakes are producing crappies and bluegills. A few walleyes are coming from Pimushe Lake on leeches and crawlers worked in 14-18 feet of water.

Bemidji
On Lake Bemidji, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations, as well as Phelps floaters with a crawler or leech at the 10- to 12-foot weed edges. Some fish have moved into waters as deep as 35-45 feet. On Big Bemidji, try stand-up jigs and fatheads. Bluegills and sunnies can be found in the cabbage using bobber rigs with snake jigs or a plain hook. Bass are hitting worm rigs, crawlers, and leeches in 18-20 feet of water on Movil and Campbell lakes. Anglers are seeing many muskies along the weed edges and rock humps on Bemidji and Plantagenet lakes, with spinnerbaits and jerkbaits working best. Large pike are hitting crankbaits pulled through the weeds on Big Bemidji.

Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleyes are starting to move off the humps and it is uncertain where they’ll land. Some locals predict that they end up in the shallow weeds. At present, the best walleye action seems to be on the main lake bars, with the north end hump bite beginning to slow. Leeches and crawlers remain the best bet for walleyes, however jigs and minnows are starting to produce as well. For perch, hit the humps using a jig and minnow combination. Northern pike are hitting #8 & #9 shad raps pulled up on the bars and along the shoreline breaks. Largemouth bass fishing has been great, with a guide reporting 80 catch-and-release fish, weighing up to 4 pounds, each of two days. For the most fish, use a northland stand-up head or mushroom head with a black powerworm. Wacky worms are also producing fish.

Walker
On Leech Lake, muskies action has been exceptional, with many 42- to 46-inch fish recently caught-and-released. Large, trophy-size walleyes are also very active, especially after dark. For the most fish, try shad raps at the shallow bars, and include a lighted bobber at Walker Bay. Many nice keeper-sized fish are coming from the north side of Agency Bay.

Hackensack
Bass are very active in the deeper water–hit the 15-foot weeds using leeches, powerbait and rapalas for the most fish. Walleyes are active at Ten Mile and Stony, and hitting rapalas trolled at night in the deeper waters. Crappies can be found using jigs tipped with crappie minnows or waxworms worked in 14-16 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting anything thrown their way.

Park Rapids
A few walleyes are coming from Long, Big Sand and Potato lakes. For the most fish, try a jig tipped with a leech or redtail in 12-20 feet of water. Bass are being pulled from Fish Hook and Belle Taine lakes. Crappies and bluegills are biting on the Lower Crow Wing lakes, with a jig tipped with a crappie minnow or waxworm working best.

Detroit Lakes
White Earth Lake is producing walleyes on jig and minnow combinations. Walleye anglers are also picking up a few fish by trolling shad raps on Big Cormorant Lake at night. Northern pike fishing has been good on Lake Melissa, however anglers must return any pike measuring 24 inches for more. For the most action, try spinners and large sucker minnows, or jig and minnow combinations along the deep weedlines. Muskies are becoming more active on Big Detroit Lake, with black bucktails working well. For largemouth bass, try plastics at the deep weedlines and humps of most area lakes. Large sunnies and crappies can also be found in these areas.

Pelican Rapids
Good numbers of bluegills are being pulled from 10-15 feet of water on Lake Crystal. For northern pike, try sucker minnows on Prairie, Sand and Lida lakes. Muskies can be found using black bucktails on Pelican Lake.

Battle Lake
Anglers are catching quite a few walleyes during the day on Ottertail Lake. Some large walleyes are coming from Battle Lake after 9:30 p.m. while trolling the flats. Panfish are hitting leeches worked in 14 feet of water at the weeds on area lakes. Bass are being taken on jigs and minnows. For northern pike, try trolling the weeds. Muskies can be found during morning and evening hours.

Alexandria
Sunnies and crappies are hitting small flu flu jigs, road runners, and small beetle spins at the 15-18 foot weedlines on Lake Miltona. Good numbers of bass are also being taken. Walleye action has been best in the weeds at night on lakes Miltona, Ida and Le Homme Dieu. The northern pike bite remains steady. The muskie bite is picking up on Miltona and Lobster lakes, with some fish being boated. One 50-inch fish was recently reported.

Starbuck
Sunfish, crappies and bass are biting on Lake Minnewaska. For numbers of bass, try plastic worms in 12 feet of water. Sunfish are hitting small jigs tipped with small leeches or waxworms in depths of 12-13 feet at the Starbuck end. Crappies can be found in the same area, but are suspended in 6-7 feet of water. Some anglers are having success with the walleyes using nightcrawlers in 24-26 feet of water. For catfish, hit the Chippewa River.

Brainerd
The warmer temperatures have led to increased muskie and large northern pike activity, with some good-sized fish taken on bucktails and large swimbaits. Bass remain very active, and can be found just off the second weedline on most area lakes. The best approach is a jig and worm combination–try a crankbait when the weather turns hot. And nice-sized bluegills continue to be pulled off the sunken islands on most area lakes.

Crosslake
Walleyes are holding deep in 30-plus feet of water. The best approach has been a lindy rig tipped with a redtail chub or leech. Also try trolling rapalas or large crankbaits over deeper waters. Bass and northern pike are active in the weeds and along the outer weed edges. Use a spinner rig tipped with a sucker minnow for the northerns, and try plastic worm rigs for the bass. Crappies and sunnies can be found suspended over 20-28 feet of water, roughly 12-16 feet down. For the most fish, hit the shady areas using a small jig and minnow.

Nisswa
Some nice walleyes are being pulled from 18-22 foot depths on live bait rigs tipped with redtails, creek chubs, leatherbacks and large leeches on Gull and North Long lakes. During evening hours, anglers are having success running shad raps through 12-15 feet of water along the weed edges. Bass action remains strong, with fish taken on plastics worked around the docks and near shore, and on weedless jig and minnow rigs worked in depths of 12 feet of water. On calm days or during late evening hours, try surface baits such as plastic frogs over the lily pads. Crappies can be found suspended about 6-8 feet down in 12-15 feet of water. For the most fish, try a slip bobber set-up or small jigs and plastics–white, yellow and smoke colors have been best.

Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, most walleye anglers are having success during lowlight hours at the mud flats, such as Sherman’s south tip, Nine-Mile and Eight-Mile. Some of the recommended methods include crawlers and spinners, leeches and rigs, leeches under bobbers, rainbows and spinners, and deep-diving crankbaits. During the day, anglers are concentrating on the smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskies. A few muskie are starting to come from the weeds of Vineland Bay, Wahkon Bay, and near Mac’s on bucktails–black with an orange blade has been best. Smallmouth bass remain active, however the water is stained to about 3 feet of visibility.

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TWIN CITIES FISHING REPORT

St. Cloud
Panfish are active in 7-10 foot dephts on Alexander and Sauk lakes, with some fish coming from 12-18 feet of water. A few walleyes are being taken during late evening and early morning hours, as well as at night. Northern pike are biting throughout the day on Pleasant and Big Swan lakes. Largemouth bass continue to be pulled from Cedar Lake. Sauk River anglers are catching smallmouth bass, northern pike, and a few walleyes. On the Mississippi River, anglers are taking pike, catfish, a few walleyes, and some nice-sized smallmouth bass, with two 20-inch bass reported early this week. Areas to try include the Beaver Islands, and the area downstream from Little Falls.

Eden Valley
The sunfish bite is best in 4-10 feet of water on Rice, Horseshoe, Clearwater and Long lakes, with waxworms, angle worms, and panfish leeches taking fish. Walleye action has been best in depths of 24 feet on Lake Koronis. On Rice Lake, many smaller walleyes are being taken on lindy rigs and nightcrawlers, as well as jig and minnow combinations worked in 18-20 feet of water. Anglers are taking northern pike from 10-12 foot depths on sucker minnows worked on Rice, Clearwater, Horseshoe and Long lakes. Spinnerbaits are also working well at the edge of the deep weed beds on most area lakes. Catfish are coming from the Chain of Lakes, and from the holes in the river. Bass action has been excellent at the midlake humps, with Carolina rigs and plastic worms working well along the deep weeds.

Waconia
On Lake Waconia, bass are hitting jigs and plastic worms near the docks and deepwater weed edges at Pillsbury, Cemetery, Anderson and North reefs. Muskies are being reported, with a 53-inch fish recently taken. Some of the areas to check out include the Beach, Center Reef and North Reef. For sunfish, hit the weed edges using leeches or waxworms.

Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, walleyes and northern pike have been inconsistent, however, the sunfish, bass and crappies bite has been great throughout the lake. Hit the 10-foot weedlines for both bass and sunnies. Jigs, plastics and topwaters are all working well.

Chisago City
Panfish are biting in 10-12 feet of water on South Center and Sunrise lakes. Northern pike and bass are active in the weeds. Chisago Lake has been especially good for bass. Walleye action is picking up on South Center Lake, with leeches taking fish during early morning and evening hours. Good walleye reports are coming from the St. Croix River.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT

Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, anglers are catching walleyes while trolling lindy rigs at Main Rock. To the south, the wingdams at Noisy Dam are giving up fish to anglers trolling lindy rigs and leeches, as well as jigs and willow cats. Sunnies and bass are biting along the shoreline near Maple Spring Bay.

Mankato
Catfish are hitting large suckers and chubs on the Minnesota River. Walleyes can be found suspended on Lake Washington around Grassy Island. For the most fish, try crankbaits 12 feet down in 20 feet of water. The Blue Earth River is also producing a few nice walleyes on jig and fathead combinations. Lake Washington sunfish are extrememly active in 12 feet of water, with mini mite jigs tipped with waxworms or crappie minnows working best. And on Jefferson Lake, bass are hitting spinnerbaits and plastic worms.

Montevideo
A few walleyes are being pulled from Lake Lac qui Parle. Anglers are taking fish by pulling crankbaits on the north end near Hantho’s Landing, and on the south end just out from the islands. Catfish continue to bite on the Minnesota River–please note that water levels are very low, so anglers are asked to use extreme caution.