The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of BENA, where LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH is giving up good numbers of walleyes, large jumbo perch, and northern pike.

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
Good numbers of bass and pike are being pulled from the shallows of Caribou Lake on topwater lures and spinners. Fish Lake is giving up quite a few walleyes on crankbaits worked in 14-18 feet of water at the flats. Bluegills are active at the 4- to 6-foot weedlines, and hitting crappie minnows under bobbers. On Grand Lake, northern pike action has been excellent, with fish hitting spoons or sucker minnows under a bobber in 6 feet of water. For perch and walleyes, hit depths of 12-18 feet using a lindy rig and leech. On Pike Lake, try lindy rigs and crawlers in 17 feet, and for perch, hit depths of 30 feet using crappie minnows and worms. The St. Louis River is giving up good numbers by the Hwy 23 Bridge on orange, yellow or gold crawler harnesses. Tofte Lake rainbows and splake are hitting dead bait. On Lake Superior, trout and salmon fishing has been good from Two harbors on north using spoons. Walleyes are being taken from the South Shore by pulling stickbaits in the top 30 feet of water.

KABETOGAMA
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, walleye action has been excellent at the mid-lake reefs and rock piles with submerged flats and gradual vertical drops–try slip sinkers and a 4- to 6-foot snell with a crawler at the vertical drops, or troll a spinner or bottom bouncer over the flats. For a number of species, troll crankbaits along the shorelines in 12-15 feet of water. Northern pike are very active at the weed edges and over the tops of the submerged weeds, and hitting large spinnerbaits and buzz baits. Smallmouth bass action is shifting from the weeds to the rock walls and rock piles by the crayfish. For the most fish, try crayfish lures, or lures that are crayfish-colored. Troll or cast these lures in the shallows, down to 12-15 feet.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleye anglers are finding fish in 20-25 feet of water, towards the east end of the lake and near the rapids at Ranier. The best approach has been a jig tipped with live bait. Smallmouth bass anglers are pre-fishing for the International Falls Bass Championship, August 26 & 27, but no one will say on what and where all of these fish are biting! Large and aggressive northern pike are chasing live baits and artificial lures, especially at the weedy edges of the shallow bays–anglers should remember that the wind will push baitfish into shore, so consider conditions when choosing a location. And, the North American Sturgeon Championship will be held on the Rainy River at Birchdale on Saturday, August 20. This event typically draws 250-300 anglers for this catch-and-release sturgeon fishing contest.

GRAND RAPIDS
Lake Pokegama continues to produce good numbers of bass, crappies and bluegills around Pooles Bay. Northern pike are active on most area lakes, with the largest fish coming from 25-35 feet of water. Muskie action has been good on Moose and Northstar lakes, with fish hitting topwater lures.

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

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, warm, sunny weather has kept the walleyes close to the structure. Rainy River anglers are having fun with the northerns along the reedy shorelines. Crappies are being landed right off the docks near Clementson. Bass are biting in the bays and inlets to the river. Limits of walleyes are being pulled from the South Shore by trolling and jig fishing in depths of 20 feet. Crankbaits are producing many trophy-sized walleyes. Crawlers have been the preferred live bait. Many of the charters are downrigging in 30-35 feet of water, with the rock rubble and reefs halfway between Garden Island and Long Point giving up great numbers of fish. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, fishing has been excellent near Crow Duck Island in 12 feet of water, with shad raps, and chartreuse jigs tipped with minnows taking the most fish. Other hot colors include the traditional gold, and pink and white. Many eating-sized walleyes in the 14- to 16-inch range are being landed off the deep reefs. And don’t miss the North American Sturgeon Championship held this Saturday, August 20 on the Rainy River at the town of Birchdale. For details, dial 218/634-1340

BLACKDUCK
Pimushe Lake is producing walleyes and panfish. A few panfish are also biting on the Twin Lakes. On Blackduck Lake, some smaller walleyes are being taken. For the most fish, try leeches or crawlers in 14-18 feet of water.

BEMIDJI
Lake Bemidji is giving up walleyes on jigs tipped with minnows, and on a Phelps floater with a crawler worked at the 10- to 12-foot weed edges. Some fish can be found as deep as 35-45 feet of water. Anglers are catching panfish in the cabbage. Bass are active in depths of 18-20 feet, and hitting worm rigs, crawlers, leeches. Try Movil and Campbell lakes for the most fish. Anglers are seeing muskies along the weed edges and rock humps on Bemidji and Plantagenet lakes. The best approach has been a spinnerbait, bucktail or jerkbait. Large northern pike are coming from Big Bemidji while pulling crankbaits at the weeds.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleyes can be found both in the shallows, as well as off the main lake bars on the south end of the lake. Some of the best locations include Moses, Horseshoe, Raven, Center, Long and Eelpout. A leech or nightcrawler on a Roach Rig has been best, however a jig and minnow combination is also working well. Large jumbo perch are being taken on small chubs on a Northland Fireball worked around the rocky areas. A nice mix of northern pike and walleyes is coming off the Highbanks area on #7 shad raps and taildancers trolled at about 1 1/2 to 2 mph. Also try trolling around Raven’s and Sugar Points. And crappie action is expected to pick up as fish move to deeper waters on Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, muskie action is improving, with fish taken near the islands. Shingobee Bay has been excellent for panfish. Topwater baits are producing good numbers of bass. For a few walleyes, try rigs and crawlers at night in 15-25 feet of water.

HACKENSACK
Northern pike action has been excellent on area lakes. Walleyes are hitting rapalas trolled through deeper waters at night on Ten Mile and Stony lakes. Bass are active at the 15-foot weeds, and hitting leeches and powerbait. Crappies can be found in 14-16 feet of water using jigs tipped with crappie minnows.

PARK RAPIDS
Bass are active on Fish Hook and Belle Taine lakes. Crappies and bluegills are hitting jigs tipped with crappie minnows on the Lower Crow Wings. A few walleyes are coming from Long, Big Sand and Potato lakes–the best approach has been a jig tipped with a leech or redtail chub worked in 12-20 feet of water.

DETROIT LAKES
The walleye bite is improving, with jigs and minnows taking the most fish, especially at the sharp breaks and deepwater weedlines. Some of the lakes to check out include Big Cormorant, Pelican, White Earth, Elbow, Lida, Lizzie, Detroit and Cotton. Bass fishing remains good on most area lakes, with plastic worms and tubes producing lots of fish. Crappies and bluegills continue to hit small jigs and lindy plastic thumping grubs on top of the deepwater area humps. Bluegills are most active in 10-15 feet of water on Lake Crystal. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Prairie, Sand and Lida lakes.

BATTLE LAKE
Bass, northern pike and panfish are biting on most area lakes. Panfish are active at the 14-foot weedlines. Bass can be found deeper using jigs and minnows. For pike, troll the weeds. Walleyes are coming from the Ottertail Lake flats at night on crankbaits. On Battle Lake, try leeches or crawlers during late evening hours and after dark for a few walleyes.

ALEXANDRIA
Panfish are hitting waxworms in 8-16 feet of water on most area lakes. Crappies can be found suspended in the deeper waters using crappie minnows. Bass are hitting crankbaits on the Chain of Lakes. Walleye action has been sporadic, with jigs and fatheads taking the majority of fish, especially on Ida and Miltona lakes. Northern pike are hitting spoons at the deep weedlines. Muskie fishing is picking up in the shallows.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, anglers are locating a few walleyes after dark–for the most fish, try pulling shallow-running rapalas next to the bulrushes on the north side of the lake. Bass and sunfish action remains good. For bass, use plastic worms in 12 feet of water. For sunfish, hit similar depths at the Starbuck end using jigs and waxworms. A few walleyes can be found using nightcrawlers in depths of 24-26 feet.

BRAINERD
Bass, northern pike and muskie fishing remains good on area lakes. The bass can be found at the second weedline chasing just about anything thrown their way. For the largest northerns, hit the deeper waters.

CROSSLAKE
Walleyes are coming from both 32-34 feet of water during the day, and 12-14 feet down over 60-70 feet of water during evening hours. Try lindy rigs tipped with minnows or leeches during the day, and troll crankbaits at dusk. Northern pike and bass continue to be pulled from the outside weedlines. Try spinner rigs tipped with minnows or minnows under bobbers for northern pike, and use spinnerbaits or a jig and worm for the bass. Crappie action has been good in 12 feet of water. For the most fish, hit the submerged islands or drop-offs to the deeper water using jigs and crappie minnows.

NISSWA
Bass action has been consistent on most area lakes. North Long Lake is producing both numbers and good-sized fish. For lots of action, but few keeper-sized fish, hit Hubert Lake. The Gull Lake Chain continues to produce numbers of fish as well–drop a frog on a lily pad for some great bass fishing, as well as a few smaller walleyes. Eating-size walleyes are coming from the Gull Lake Chain on live bait rigs tipped with crawlers or minnows. Leatherback minnows have been especially good since they are lively and handle the warm water temperatures better than redtails or creekchubs. Panfish action has been good on most area lakes. Crappies and really large sunnies are being pulled from 12-15 foot depths.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, most of the walleye activity has been at sunset, where anglers are finding numbers of keeper-size fish on the rock reefs in 8-15 feet of water. The best approach has been a slip bobber, leech and angle jig. Some daytime action is also being reported, especially at the deepwater structure, such as the gravel and mud flats, as well as the areas adjacent the structure. For the most fish, try crawlers and spinners, rainbows and spinners, leeches and long snells, and deep-running crankbaits. Use a faster speed while trolling in order to cover more water. Muskie action continues to improve, with some large fish coming in on trolled bucktails.

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

ST. CLOUD
Sunfish are active on Brigg’s, Sugar and Sauk lakes, and hitting waxworms, leeches and angle worms. Bass anglers continue to catch fish both deep and shallow. Try jig and worm combinations, as well as crankbaits on Big Birch and Sugar lakes for the most fish. Muskie action is picking up on Sugar Lake. The Mississippi River is giving up numbers of smallmouth bass and catfish. Some catfish are also being pulled from the Sauk River, just above the dam at Cold Spring.

EDEN VALLEY
Rice, Horseshoe and Long lakes are producing sunfish in 4-10 feet of water. For the most fish, try waxworms, angle worms or panfish leeches. Northern pike can be found in 10-12 feet of water using sucker minnows on these lakes. Lake Koronis continues to produce a few walleyes.

ANNANDALE
Sunfish are active on Clearwater and Augusta lakes in 12 feet of water. A few walleyes are being pulled from the weed edges of Clearwater Lake on leeches during lowlight hours. Northern pike action remains good on Clearwater and Pleasant lakes.

WACONIA
On Waconia, bass are biting at both the shallow and deep pencil reeds, especially at Reinke’s Bay. A few walleyes are coming in on large leeches worked around Kegg’s Reef. At night, try bobber fishing with leeches and fatheads at North and Red’s reefs. Muskies are biting along the weedlines near the public beach and around Center Reef. Sunfish and crappies are being pulled from the 15 foot reefs.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, some walleyes are being pulled from Wayzata and Brown’s bays. Sunfish and bass are active in the weeds in roughly 10 feet of water. Bass are hitting topwater lures during early morning hours. Northern pike and muskie action is just beginning to pick up.

CHISAGO CITY
Panfish, northern pike and bass are active on most area lakes, and especially on North and South Center lakes. Panfish are hitting waxworms and angle worms. For large pike, hit Sunrise Lake using sucker minnows. A few walleyes are being pulled from the St. Croix River on fatheads.

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

RED WING
On the Mississippi River, a mixed bag of walleyes, bass and northern pike are coming from Reed’s Landing to the south. Towards Wabasha, they are biting at all the wingdams. Try pitching plastics, rapalas, and rattle traps for the most fish.

MANKATO
Walleyes can be found suspended in 20-22 feet of water on Lake Washington using shad raps near Grassy Island. Catfish remain active on the Minnesota River. Lake Washington is producing sunfish in depths of 10-12 feet. Northern pike are hitting spoons on Little Jefferson Lake in 6 feet of water.

MONTEVIDEO
A few catfish are being pulled from the Minnesota River. Walleye anglers are pulling crankbaits on Lake Lac qui Parle, and taking a few fish from the north end by Hantho’s Landing, as well as on the south end near the islands.

ORTONVILLE
On Big Stone Lake, panfish are biting at the Grapevine and the Christmas Trees in 9-10 feet of water. Anglers report mostly bluegills and perch. On the Minnesota River, a few pike are coming in on spoons. For the most fish, cast from shore just below the dam in town.