Outdoors Weekly Fish Tales Archive

June 8, 2007

ANNANDALE - B.J.’s Bait & Tackle, Bill, west side of Clearwater Lake, between the two public accesses (320-274-3730) The walleyes are hitting Lindy rigs with leeches in 15 to 25 feet of water on the humps in the middle of the lake. The northerns are biting just off the weedlines with a bobber and sucker minnow. Lots of bass are biting; they are hitting pretty much anything that is dropped in front of their face. The sunnies are in about 10 feet of water and biting on worms and small leeches.

ANOKA – Action’s Fishing, Jack, 809 West Hwy 10 (763-422-4890) Walleyes biting on Diamond Lake and Mississippi River in Elk River. Crappies hitting on Green and Peltier. The sunnies were spawning, so they should be done now and moving off the beds. The bass bite was not the best, slow on the river, should pick up after the rain.

BATTLE LAKE – Ben’s Bait & Tackle, Josie, Junction of Hwy 78 and 210 (218-864-5596) The fishing was okay last weekend. The walleyes were biting on Clitheral and Battle Lake on leeches and crawlers in about 10 to 20 feet of water and on Ottertail Lake mainly on minnows. The Battle Lake bite is on the weedlines mainly at night with leeches. The northerns are biting everywhere on daredevils and suckers trolling the weedlines. The bass are hitting on all area lakes; top water baits are now starting to work now that the water temps are coming up. The crappies and sunnies are biting on Molly Stark Lake, South Turtle, Clitheral and West Battle. The 10-foot range seems to be the best and the bigger sunnies are being caught with small leeches. Not much on muskies, lots of follows and we only heard on three being caught.

BEMIDJI – Bluewater Bait & Sports, Mark Cook, 1 mile north of the Hwy 2 & 71 Intersection (218-444-2248) Bemidji, Plantagenet and Cass Lakes have been good for walleyes. Try in the 8 to 10 foot range. Blackduck has been hot too. Wolf has been good too, leeches in about 9 feet of water.

BLACKDUCK - Timberline Sport & Tackle, Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd (218-835-4636) The bite on Blackduck stayed strong, primarily in the shallows, 9 to 12 feet of water, using leeches and crawlers and some are starting to use cranks. A lot of 15 to 20 inch range fish being caught. Gull and Island Lakes are going ok. Upper Red Lake was strong last weekend. The crappies are biting pretty well. Also try Gilstad and Rabideau for crappies.

BRAINERD – www.sandwbait.com & www.walleyedan.com - S&W Bait and Tackle - Home of Walleye Dan's Guide Service, 7 1/2 miles North of Brainerd on the East side of Hwy 371 (218-829-7010) Check out our web site for a report!

CHISAGO CITY – Frankie’s Live Bait and Marine, Brad, Corner of Hwy 8 and Co Rd 77 (651-257-6334) The fish are biting. The sunnies are going well in the shallows and under docks. The walleyes are still biting in about 18 to 20 feet of water during the day on the gravel/silt transition line. The bass are leaving the beds now. Sunrise and Kroon Lakes have a good crappie bite going. The bass bite has been good using spinner baits going along the first weedline. The fishing has been good so far this year.

CROSBY - Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle, Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912) Fishing in the Crosby area has been very good this week, with lots of crappies being caught as well as pike, bass, and walleyes. Bluegills are being caught on East Rabbit in the deeper water off of the roadbed and on various points and bars around the lake. West Rabbit has been producing some nice ‘gills as well, but in shallow water. For other panfish options, look at Little Rabbit, Black, Nokay and Blackhoof. You will find some active pike in these same lakes as well, along with Lower Mission, Edward, Manhomen, and Rabbit. Anglers have been consistently catching bass in the area, with Clearwater, Serpent, Horseshoe and Rabbit making this list as well. For walleyes, look to Serpent in the afternoon and evening hours, with the Mississippi being the best in the daytime with spinner-rigs tipped with a crawler. Expect the crankbait bite to kick in on the river very soon. The best reports for trout have been coming from Pennington Chain still, where fishermen have been catching rainbows on Raps and Cowbells. Stop in for the up-to-the-minute report 7 days a week!

CROSSLAKE - Holiday of Cross Lake, Lee (218-692-2708) Held’s Guide Service (218-820-0989) Whitefish, Crosslake and Pelican along with many smaller area lakes are giving up lots of nice size walleyes. Work steep break areas starting around 16 feet and down. Lindy-rigs with longer snells tipped with Leeches, crawlers and minnows will do the trick. Bass action is good with fish being found around the 6 to 10 foot weeds. Try worms or spinner baits worked along the emerging weedline. Northern action is good with fish be found along sharp drop-off and hitting on spinner rigs. Crappie and panfish are hitting small jigs tipped with wax worms or worms along weed lines in the 6 to 10 foot area.

DULUTH - Fisherman’s Corner, Scott, 7 miles north of Miller Mall on Hwy 53 (218-729-5369) Fish Lake seems to be the hot lake this week. The walleyes are in 8 to 14 feet of water, slip bobber and a leech, and the crappies and sunnies are shallower in about 8 feet of water. Lots of northerns are being caught. On Boulder Lake, the crappies are in about 14 feet of water. On the Cloquet River, the browns have been good. On the St. Louis River from hallet dock to park point area the walleyes have been biting. On Lake Superior, some walleyes are being caught on the s. shore right on top, bright yellow/orange is the best color. And coho are biting on the mud line out as far as 70 feet deep, no deeper then 20 feet down.

DULUTH - Marine General, 1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior (218-724-8833) There has been excellent fishing out on Lake Superior when we can get out. The coho, lake trout and walleyes are all biting. The St. Louis River was going great until the rain muddied it up a bit. The bite is ok now but will get better as the water clears up. North shore streams are still holding fish. The water temp is coming up quick. Anything orange has been good.

ELY - Babe's Bait and Tackle, 451 W. Sheridan St., Ely, MN, first business on the left as you are entering town of Ely from the west on Hwy 169 (218-365-6930) The walleye bite has been fairly consistent among anglers "in the know". Good numbers of the prized fish are being reported nearly every day now. Basswood Lake is fast becoming THE place to go, with many limits of fish in the four to six pound range. It takes a bit of effort to make the trip, but the fishermen going there have claimed that it's well worth it. Burntside Lake once again is turning on and walleyes to thirty inches have been coming in. Shagawa Lake, right in the heart of Ely has been providing some fine "eater" size eyes in the 14-20 range. The White Iron chain is holding it's own with the same type of success rates, although this lake has a return slot of 17-26". For those anglers in search of Smallmouth bass now is the time to make the trip here. Almost all the local lakes have ample supplies of these acrobats, that are blasting top water baits early in the day, and cranks are picking up momentum as the day wears on. The northern pike action has slowed slightly, but perhaps that's because these other species are coming out of the woodwork. Live suckers are still working their magic with these brutes up to 20 pounds.

FOREST LAKE - Mike's Bait on 8, 1/2 mile east of 35 on Hwy 8, Rich, (651-464-5150) It was an okay muskie opener. The metro muskie tourney is this weekend. The walleye bite has been good for numbers, but there hasn’t really been any size. Green Lake has been good and Forest Lake has been sporadic during the day. Bobber and leech has been the best combo. For panfish, look under the docks and try with a flu-flu tipped with either a wax worm or crappie minnow.

GLENWOOD - Fish On Bait & Sport, Kyle, 201 S Franklin St, 2 blocks south of stoplights in Glenwood (320-634-3667) Call us for a report.

GREY EAGLE - Nancy’s Bait & Tackle, Rex, on CR 2, four miles east of the Rock Tavern on Big Birch Lake, four miles west of Upsala (320-285-2405)A lot of bass and some walleyes are still being caught. A lot of people have been out fishing. Big and Little Birch continues to be the top walleye lakes in the area. 15 to 18 feet of water on Lindy rigs at night seems to be the most productive setup. A lot of walleyes are being caught on Swan but they are smaller, 12 to 14 inches in size. The panfish bite is still strong on Swan and Moose Lakes. The sunnies are in about 6 to 8 feet of water and the crappies are a little deeper in 12 to 15 feet of water, fishing them about 2 feet down. Saint Maries has been putting out a lot of nice bass. Big Swan is your best area lake for larger northerns.

HACKENSACK - Swanson’s Bait & Tackle, Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack (218-675-6176) Bass fishing has been pretty good, some using top water baits and some on jigs. They are biting on Ten Mile, Birch, and Baby Lakes.The muskies were quiet for the opener. Birch Lake for walleyes was the choice spot earlier in the week, some caught on a jig and minnow, but most on crawlers and leeches now. The water temps are in the 60-65 degree range. The northerns have been active on Web and Woman lakes. Panfishing has been quiet. Look for them moving to deeper water, try waxies.

KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN – Gateway Store, US Hwy 53 & CO Rd 122, 30 miles south of Int’l Falls-Canadian border, Phil Hart (218-875-2121) Fair weather and rainfall throughout the week is warming the water and raising the water levels nicely. Baitfish, mainly shiners, are in spawning; walleyes, northerns and smallmouth are in shallow throughout the day feasting, making a nice offering for anglers. Using small jigs or spinners in the shallow sand and soft bottom bays; walleyes are consistently being taken on live bait. X-raps continue to be a hot shallow water lure, getting the attention of all fish species. Husky jerks and spinners accomplish the same tasks but not as reliable. Many anglers on the water mid-day or during sunny periods are using slip sinker rigs in deeper water. Slip sinker rigs perform well at 24-30', jig and minnow are your best choice when going after the 35-45' schools. The west end and mid-Kabetogama are your best area for shallow water angling. East Kabetogama and Namakan are kicking out walleyes at the deeper depths. Northern pike are quite active outside the weed edges and smallmouth spending time spawning in the shallows.

LAKE OF THE WOODS – Area Tourism Bureau, Denelle, near junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette (1-800-382-FISH) The walleye bite on Lake of the Woods continues to be phenomenal! Anchored and jigging has been the way to catch fish this week. Gold or pink jigs with frozen shiners have been bringing in great numbers of fish. Folks have been fishing along the South Shore, around Long Point down to the Lighthouse Gap. Anglers have been limiting out in 1-2 hours while fishing in 20-25 feet of water. The action has typically been hot in the mornings and again later in the afternoon. Fishing on Rainy River is a little slower then on the big lake, but anglers have been catching their limits of walleye and sauger, as well as a few rock bass. A few monster sturgeons were caught and released in the river last week, a 62” and a 53” among them. The surface water temperature is at 67 degrees and with the recent rain the area received the water level is rising, which is a welcome sight. Action at the Northwest Angle and Islands has been excellent as well. Anglers have been finding fish around the islands while jigging or bottom bouncing. Gold, silver, or pink jigs with a minnow have been working very well.

LEECH LAKE – Anderson’s Resorts, Tim (1-800-516-0077) Walleyes are biting like crazy. Jig and minnow is still working the best but leeches and crawlers are coming on strong. The big lake is mostly catch and release at this point with the 22 to 25-1/2 inch class being the majority of the fish being caught. Keeper fish are 1 in about 8. Walker Bay, Pine Point area are a different story with more under 18 inch fish. Pike fishing has been great also with many limits of nice ones being brought in. Muskie is starting off slow but reports of a couple 50 plus released this last weekend. Fishing is the best it has been in recent memory, if you don't have plans to come up you should seriously start thinking Leech in the near future. Things are looking up.

METRO AREA EAST – Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle, Josh, Oakdale (651-777-2421) The northerns are biting on Big Marine, Forest and Big Carnelian Lakes. The bass are biting well all over, Green Lake by Lindstrom is a good lake. The walleyes have been slow, some on Clear Lake up by Forest Lake. The sunnies are biting well on Phalen and Peltier.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Chris Kuduk's Guide Service, Chris Kuduk (320-630-1761) The walleyes are still biting really well right now, out on the rocks on south end and in the mud. Out on the rocks, slip bobbers and leech. A lot of big fish, throw backs and slot fish are coming in. If people want to go, call now. It isn’t going to get any better. This is the best fishing I’ve seen since 92.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Malmo Market, Lynwood Elliott, State Hwy 47 and 18 East, NE corner of Mille Lacs (320-684-2295) Mille Lacs anglers still doing well. The walleyes are starting to move out deeper. Anglers have been doing well and marking lots of fish on the flats. Blue Jug, Schultz’s and Deans have all been good. Try pulling leeches or crawlers behind long lined rigs. Better luck off the sharp edges. Two mile area has also been good. Try deeper to 32'. Leeches or crawlers with yellow or green seem to be working the best. Agate has also been good toward evening. Lighted bobbers with leeches still seem to be working the best. The sand has been spotty; wind seems to be turning them on. Good luck, stop in for some of our hand picked premium leeches.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Johnson's Portside, Kelly or Steve, 1 mile north of Isle on Hwy 47 SE side of the lake (320-676-3811) What an awesome start to the walleye season. Fishing has been hot since Day One. This last weekend anglers fishing the day bite in mud and gravel at 25-29 feet. Some Lindy rigging and some were pulling cranks. The evening bite was especially hot with a slip bobber and a leech any where from 15-22 feet on the rocks and gravel. Some popular points this weekend were Big Point, Grave Yard, and 3 mile. Check out our web site at johnsonsportside.com for fishing updates.

LAKE MINNETONKA - Wayzata Bait & Tackle, Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227) The northerns and sunnies are biting the best. Some walleyes are being caught, but guys really have to work for them. Most all the fishing is weed line oriented, 15 feet of water and shallower. The northerns are biting on suckers in the channels; the bass are going on plastics. Independence has been hot for muskies, last weekend guys were getting them slow trolling the weedlines.

LAKE MINNETONKA – Minnetonka Outdoors, Gary or Gregg, south frontage road to Hwy 7 between Vine Hill Rd & Old Market Blvd in Shorewood (952-470-8800) Call or visit our web site for a report!

NISSWA - Dave’s Sportland Bait & Tackle, Jason, 2 miles south of Nisswa at the Intersection of Hwy 371 and Cty Rd 77, next to Schaefer’s Foods (218-963-2401) The pre-summer bite is on big time. The walleyes are on the chomp here in the Nisswa area. The fishing has been outstanding the last few days. The best reports are coming from Gull, Mille Lacs, North Long, and Round Lakes. Our fishing guides had some awesome trips on Gull and Mille Lacs over the weekend. They caught numerous walleyes in the 15-28 inch range. It was a blast. The walleyes have been biting on Lindy Rigs tipped with a lively redtail chub or a leech. Spinners have also been working well. That has been our one-two punch on Mille Lacs. Run through the spot with a Northland Rainbow spinner then we turn around and go through them again with the live bait rig. It works great especially on the big ones. When the fish wouldn’t bite on live bait we found them active up in the weeds. Trolling Rapalas over the weeds really got those fish to go. The night has been very consistent too, using the same methods. North Long is producing a nice jigging bite for anglers using a Northland Fireball jig tipped with a shiner minnow. These North Long fish are chunky 17-22 inchers. Look for them tight to the weed edges. The pike and bass have been active on most lakes. Look for them on the weed flats from 4-12 feet deep. Spinner baits are producing some nice action. The panfish are still feeding up. The sunnies are up in the shallows still and are gobbling up small leeches, while the crappies are stacking up along the first weedline in 8-12 feet of water. Try trolling a small Thumper jig tipped with a minnow. It is a great search lure until you locate them. If you want to get into this great bite please give us a call, our guides still have a few open seats. Take care and good luck this week.

LAKE OSAKIS - Holiday Resort, Adam, 115 miles west of Twin Cities on I-94W, take 71N to Co Rd 10W to Falcon Dr in Osakis (320-859-4360) Walleye action continues to be good on Osakis. Two mile bar producing lots of quality fish at sunset and thereafter. Bobber fishing with leeches and shiners were the preferred methods for nicer fish. Bass have really taken off this weekend, with many fish in the two pound range coming out of the outlet area. Spinner baits, or bobber fishing with jumbo leeches are both being effective. Northerns are everywhere on Osakis this year, with lots of fish around the pound and a half to three pound range. The bigger the live bait the better, big suckers, creek cheebs, and big golden shiners all producing nice northerns along the deeper weed edges 10-16 feet. Panfish remain elusive on Osakis, as the water begins to warm some sunnies have started to move in, another week or so should see them in the shallows.

PARK RAPIDS – Delaney’s Sport Center, Kevin, East 1st St (218-732-4281) The walleyes are still biting well on Potato Lake in 14 to 16 feet of water. The northerns are biting on Big Man Trap in about 9 feet of water on sucker minnow rigs. The bass fishing has been good on Fish Hook Lake in the shallows and up in the pencil reeds. The crappies on Big Man Trap are biting in about 14 to 20 feet of water. And for sunnies your best bet is still the Crow Wing chain, still in the shallows, about 8, 9 feet of water.

PELICAN RAPIDS – Park Region Sport Shop, Lee Brenna, Intersection of Interstate 59 and 108 in downtown Pelican Rapids (800-962-8553) The walleyes have been biting real well on Lida and they are starting up on South Lida now too. Out on Crystal Lake, the crappies have been really biting. The sunnies are biting on Prairie Lake.

RAINY LAKE – Rainy Lake Tourism (1-800-FALLS-MN) Walleye fishing has been good on Rainy Lake and Rainy River. Many anglers have been heading east on the lake, fishing in Saginaw Bay, near Big Island and around the Fox Islands. Minnows and leeches on a jig are working well; the best depth depends on the current and wind. Crappie action has been picking up in Black Bay, and the weedy areas around Cranberry Bay are holding some sizeable northern pike.

RED WING – Ike's Bait & Tackle, Ken, 2109 Old W Main St, Red Wing (651- 388-2111) The Poo Bear tourney last weekend went well, 20 pounds was the biggest fish. Willy cats and plugs were the bait of choice. The panfish are still on their beds and the crappies are biting in the back channels. The larger cats are being caught with large sucker minnows. The smallies are on the rocks in Lake Pepin.

SAINT CLOUD – Stop Light Bait, 8th Avenue SE, St. Cloud (320-255-9689) Sunfish have been biting on Pearl, Clearwater, Briggs and Browns Lakes. Anglers have been fishing the 8-10 foot depths with wax worms, angle worms and leeches. Crappies are biting on Sugar, Pearl, and Julia Lakes. Walleye fishermen are catching fish on Minnewaska, Koronis, Big Birch and Alexander Lakes. Walleye anglers that have fished Mille Lacs recently have had good luck. Northerns and bass have been biting well on Clearwater, Pearl and Big Birch Lakes. Mississippi River anglers are catching walleyes, crappies, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. The river bite has been good. We continue to carry panfish leeches, jumbo leeches, and lake run leeches in bulk quantities.

SAINT PETER – Hermie's Bait, Brad, 43539 French Hill Rd. St.Peter MN 56082 (507-931-6875) The walleyes have been biting on Lake Washington on the 2nd and 3rd points. The sunnies are going on German Lake and the crappies too.The walleyes are biting on the river and Madison. The northerns have been good on Madison too.

SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA – Axel's Tackle Box, Axel, 2 blocks north of Hwy 60 on Hwy 13, next to Casey’s, on Lake Sakatah in Waterville (507-362-4444) It's been crazy here on Tetonka/Sakatah. Bass, northerns, walleyes have been almost jumping in the boats. Leeches, Watervillian spinners, and minnows have been doing the trick. Some large catfish have been also caught on medium suckers. Waxies have been boating a bunch of sunfish; crappies seem to be had under the Hwy 13 Bridge. Bullhead Days is this coming weekend so be sure to attend this event and get your fishing time in as well.

STARBUCK - Minnewaska Bait, Larry Jensen, Hwy 29 near the Starbuck Marina (320-239-2239) The walleyes continue to bite on Minnewaska. Lake Mary is the hottest walleye lake in the area, leeches and crawlers are the ticket. The bass are biting well all over the lake. The sunnies are still biting out there too. Fishing continues to be good on the lake.

STILLWATER - Jimmy's Bait and Tackle, Stillwater (651-430-2554) A lot are going out for walleyes on the river using fatheads and crawlers. The crappies are biting in spots on the river too.

WACONIA - Mase’s In Towne Marine, Cindy, corner of Lake and Elm (952-442-2096) The bass are in the shallows on the north side of the lake. The sunnies are biting all over, in the pencil reeds and around the shore. As for the muskies, we heard of nothing big coming in, but there were a lot of follows. The walleyes are out in 16 to 18 feet of water on Kegs, North and Cemetery Reefs.

WINNIBIGOSHISH – Walleye Visions, Tom Neustrom, 21622 Airport Rd, Grand Rapids (218-327-2312) Man, the warmer weather sure has been welcome and it sure didn't hurt the fishing. Even with the several storms and much needed rain moving through, the walleye fishing on Big Winnie has been great. We are continually fishing the shallow areas of the Big Lake from North to South and a Northland Fireball in Parrot or Watermelon and a shiner has been putting limits in the boat. There are a lot of small walleyes mixed in with keepers, and larger slot fish that are released. The deeper Bar and Hump bite will take off in the next couple weeks, but for right now the shoreline has been out producing every other location. Some anglers are starting to have success with leeches and rigs, so that may be an option. Areas to check out are the Three Sisters Flats, Little Stony Point, Mallard, Raven's, The Bushy Tree and Highbanks. Big Winnie is extremely healthy and there are walleyes of several different year classes available. The crappies and sunfish are starting to make their way into the shallows to spawn and Little Cutfoot has been the scene of good panfish activity. Also check the back end of McAvity Bay for excellent bull sunfish activity. For the shore fisherman there are still walleyes to be had below the Dam on the Mississippi leading to Little Winnie. Bug hatches will be changing the locations of the walleyes, so pay attention to the change.