Outdoors Weekly Fish Tales Archive

June 29, 2007

ANNANDALE - B.J.’s Bait & Tackle, Bill, west side of Clearwater Lake, between the two public accesses (320-274-3730) The walleyes are still biting well. Out in 25 feet of water pulling lindy rigs with leeches or up in 15 to 20 feet of water with a lindy or slip bobber on the weedlines and the humps. Lots of 4 to 5 pound northerns are being caught, look for them in about 15 feet of water with sucker minnows. Bass are hitting just about everything, spinners, and plastics. For sunfish, look to the weedlines in about 10 feet of water with waxies. The crappies are basically only biting at sunrise and sunset, coming up shallow in about 5 feet of water above the weeds.

ANOKA – Action’s Fishing, Jack, 809 West Hwy 10 (763-422-4890) The past week was awesome for fishing on the Mississippi. They were getting crappies at the Coon Rapids Dam from shore using flu-flu jigs tipped with minnows. Smallmouth are biting on redtails better than ever. Walleye continue to bite on Diamond Lake using fatheads.

BATTLE LAKE – Ben’s Bait & Tackle, Josie, Junction of Hwy 78 and 210 (218-864-5596) Anglers have been doing well on W. Battle Lake for walleyes. Mainly they have been catching them on leeches in 24 to 28 feet of water. During the tourney last weekend, the biggest daily poundage was 29.8 pounds. On Ottertail Lake, some nice perch are being caught in about 14 feet of water on a jig and a minnow. The sunfish are being caught on Eagle Lake on waxies in the weeds. They are also picking up a few on Dead Lake too. The bass are biting on Clitheral and Eagle Lakes. The muskies are starting; there have been lots of follows reported on W. Battle Lake.

BEMIDJI – Bluewater Bait & Sports, Mark Cook, 1 mile north of the Hwy 2 & 71 Intersection (218-444-2248) On Cass Lake, they walleyes are biting pretty good, the fish are in the 13 to 15 inch range and they are catching them in about 6 to 8 feet of water on a jig (pink fireball) and shiner. And the walleyes are also being caught on Plantagenet in about 9 to 12 feet of water in front of the girl’s camp dragging leeches and crawlers. They are also getting some big perch on Plantagenet, about 10 to 13 inchers and they are catching them on spottails or large fatheads under a slip bobber. The crappies are biting in Sucker Bay on Leech, try using a pink/white tube jig with a white head. On Lake Bemidji, for some bigger walleyes (18 to 20 inch range) the grassy island is your best bet for walleyes using perch colored raps or bottom bouncing a ½ oz. Jig and a minnow. Black/gold colors are working well.

BLACKDUCK - Timberline Sport & Tackle, Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd (218-835-4636) The walleye bite is slowing a bit; some are still catching them on lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches. The panfish bite has picked up on local lakes, Rabideau for sunnies and Gilstad for crappies. The pike have been aggressive, but not much reported for big ones being caught.

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) We have been on the water a lot. Gull, Whitefish, Mille Lacs, Pelican have been the lakes where we have been fishing. The bait fish supply is going through the roof which can slow the bite down a bit. We have found Gull to be the toughest bite right now because of the swarms of bait. Whitefish has been good and Mille Lacs continues to be good too. On Gull and Whitefish, we are using leeches and red tails on a Lindy Rig. Crawlers, minnows and leeches are working on Mille Lacs. It seems like it's getting tougher to catch "keepers" over on Mille Lacs, but there are a lot of big mommas to be had which makes things pretty darn fun. Call us if you would like to book a guided trip.

CHISAGO CITY – Frankie’s Live Bait and Marine, Brad, Corner of Hwy 8 and Co Rd 77 (651-257-6334) Doing really good on the fishing lately. Crappies are biting everywhere now, on Chisago try in 12-16 feet of water off any weedline. The walleyes are getting harder to find, guys that are getting them are fishing deep and in the early morning or late evenings. The bass bite has been good, Chisago has been good pitching the docks. Sunnies are biting all over, the curly leaf weeds are dying off.

CROSBY - Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle, Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912) More crappie minnows being sold has showed that a lot of anglers have changed their focus from walleyes to panfish, though walleye anglers on Serpent and the Mississippi River have nothing to complain about, as they are still catching fish. Serpent is best in the low-light periods of the day, while the Mississippi has been best in the mid-morning and afternoon hours. During the day, panfish and bass action on Blackhoof, Manhomen, East Rabbit, Clinker and Horseshoe has kept anglers busy. Pike have been very hungry, smacking crankbaits and sucker minnows fish along the weeds all day. Trout fishing continues to be good, with most fish being caught 25-30 feet down on most of the pits. Stop in for the up-to-the-minute fishing report 7 days a week!

CROSSLAKE - Holiday of Cross Lake, Lee (218-692-2708) Held’s Guide Service (218-820-0989) Walleye action on Whitefish Chain, Pelican and Crosslake has been good. The early morning and late evening bite is strong. Use leeches or red-tails minnows on Lindy-rigs, fished in 18 to 26 feet of water. Northern action has been hot with fish hitting spinner baits worked along the weed line. Bass are active in 4 to 8 feet of water. Try plastic worms or surface baits worked along the weed line. Also try along docks and other shaded areas. Crappies and panfish are hitting small jigs tipped with worms, waxies, and minnows along the weed line. Also try small spinners working the weed edges.

DULUTH - Fisherman’s Corner, Scott, 7 miles north of Miller Mall on Hwy 53 (218-729-5369) Stick baits are working best for inland water walleye fishing. Fish Lake and Island Lake are probably the best lakes right now. Also have heard some good reports from Boulder Lake. Lake Superior is warmer now and fish are moving down, the temp breaks are up by McQuaids. The St. Louis River has been good; the area by Barkers Island has been the best.

DULUTH - Marine General, 1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior (218-724-8833) The fishing has been excellent on Lake Superior and the St. Louis River. On the river, the shallow water (3 to 7 feet) on the Upper River and 7 feet deep in the harbor has been producing some walleyes on shiners and crawlers. The walleyes biting on the big lake are coming trolling stick baits (raps, bombers) chartreuse and orange seem to be the colors of choice. There has been a good laker bite out on the big lake too, as well as a few cohos. Orange, yellow and green spoons seem to be working. The crappies never happened on the river this year… not yet anyway.

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 fish in the Ely area are being difficult for some, a cinch for others. Knowing how to read the signals at this time of year as the waters are warming up, is critical for success. The best advice seems to be fish early and fish late. The majority of the fish being caught are being taken between 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fishing the low-light hours can be difficult for some, but this is when the walleyes rise up from the depths to feed near the shoreline and mid-lake reefs. Keep your lights inside and low in the boat. Shining a light on the water is definitely out. The fish at these shallower depths are spooky, keep noise to a minimum as well. The wind can be your friend as well. It's tempting to seek shelter in some quiet cove when the wind is up, but fishing the windblown shore can be very productive. Whether it has to do with light refraction, bait being blown in, or with higher oxygen levels, the fish are showing up in the froth. Picking one lake to fish here right now would be extremely difficult. Good reports are coming in from most of the larger lakes, but some lesser known waters are also turning up some impressive stringers. Best advice is to stop in at Babes when you first arrive in Ely and we'll give you a current update. We've become quite a gathering place for the more successful anglers and tips and tricks are readily offered.

FOREST LAKE - Mike's Bait on 8, 1/2 mile east of 35 on Hwy 8, Rich, (651-464-5150) The muskie bite has been hot and heavy as the water temps keep warming up. The crappies are out in the deeper water and the sunnies remain shallow. The walleyes are on Clear, Forest and north/South Center Lakes and are coming up shallow at night, 15 to 20 feet deep during the day. The northerns seem like they are turning on, casting or bobber fishing.

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)The muskies are starting to come around and bite on Buckhorn Lake. They are doing well and the fish are running about 9 to 10 pounds. The best time is in the late afternoons. The sunnies are on the beds all over; Big Birch has been putting out some nice ¾ pound sunnies. They are also biting on St. Maries and Mound Lake. Cedar Lake near Upsula has been giving up a few crappies. The walleyes are scattered anywhere from 16 to 32 feet on Long Lake north of Bertrum and Big Birch Lake. The northern pike action is good everywhere. The smallmouth bass are biting well on Little Birch and both large and small are biting on Big Birch. We continue to have a good supply of bait.

HACKENSACK - Swanson’s Bait & Tackle, Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack (218-675-6176) Fishing has continued to be great. Bass, walleyes, crappies, and sunfish have all been cooperating with the anglers the past few days. Bass action has been incredible all year. A few anglers have seen success throwing spinnerbaits into the shallows but the best action has been with plastics on the breaks. Cast a jigworm onto the break and slowly work it back down into the deeper water. Green or brown plastics are working well, especially on the clear lakes. Birch Lake is still the "hot spot." Ten Mile, Stony Lake, and Webb Lake would all be good choices for Bass today as well. I heard some good Crappie reports over the weekend, having calmer water helped. Most are finding the Crappies in 12-15 feet of water over the weeds. A minnow and jig under a bobber or slow trolling a spinner jig have been productive. Have some waxies with incase a school of sunfish come through. The Sunfish are off of the spawn beds now in most lakes and headed back to deeper water. There were a ton of sunfish caught over the weekend on all of the lakes. Five Point and Pleasant Lake had the best reports of catching nice fish. The key to catching nice panfish is to remain mobile, don't stay in one spot for too long. Walleye fishing has slowed some, they are still catching them though. Leech Lake has had the best reports, nice to be talking about this lake in a positive way again!! Walleyes are biting on the main lake on Nightcrawlers and a spinner rig. Stony Point and Pelican Island were the spots most guys are talking about. A lot of the fish are 20"+ and have to be released but they are fun to catch. There are a fair number of fish in the 15-18 inch range being caught as well. The other area lakes have been producing a few fish each day, mostly on leeches and nightcralwers. Trolling in 15-20 feet at dusk would be a good bet on most lakes as well.

KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN – Gateway Store, US Hwy 53 & CO Rd 122, 30 miles south of Int’l Falls-Canadian border, Phil Hart (218-875-2121) There are lots of flying objects in the skies these days, dominated by flies, too many species to mention. Anglers are getting lots of bites, fish and flies. Walleyes are feasting on mayflies but have an appetite for leeches and crawlers as well. Harvest-size eyes are being caught at 28-32’, mostly leeches, some folks using spinners, some plain hook-slip sinker rigs. Slow speeds back-trolling your best method, but speed up if action is slow using a spinner to promote a more aggressive bite. Preferred fishing for walleyes is the flats, or the eastern half of Kabetogama and the western half of Namakan. Reef structures or windward shorelines with deep water features are holding harvest-size walleyes and saugers. Northern pike are found throughout the lake, the best action now would be weed tops and weed-line edges. Semi-surface lures, those that stay above the weeds or suspend at 5-8’, are working well along with jerk baits. Smallies are still roaming in the shallows, lovin those X-raps and spinner blade baits. Smallies are starting to migrate to rock ledges and rock piles for crayfish. Crayfish lures should start producing soon; shallow runners now and deeper runners as they migrate. Saugers stretching out to 17” plus, not uncommon; they are a great fish to catch and harvest. Many visitors report lots of wildlife on the islands and the peninsula. A black bear sow has been often spotted with 4 cubs, twice the norm. Enjoy the summer.

LAKE OF THE WOODS – Area Tourism Bureau, Denelle, near junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette (1-800-382-FISH) Anchored and jigging in the shallows around Zippel Bay and up to Long Point has been producing some nice walleye. A gold or chartreuse jig with a minnow or leech, in 6-12 feet of water, has been lucky for some anglers. Others have been finding fish with spinners while drifting or trolling using leeches and crawlers. Some charter boats have been fishing the river due to high winds, but with the beautiful forecast for this week getting on the big lake shouldn't be a problem. Some resorts have started sending their charters up to the Garden Island area and have reported finding nice walleye. The water levels are almost back up to normal, and the water temperature is getting warmer. Due to recent rain fall the Rainy River has been in the process of cleaning out all the debris left from the low water, the water level is up to normal and the river is starting to produce some nice fish. Anglers have been having some luck catching walleye and some smallmouth bass. The fish are there it's just a matter of picking the right presentation and getting them to bite. Muskie season is off and running at the Northwest Angle and Islands. The water temperature is around 70 degrees, with no weeds yet. The muskies are deeper on the rocks and have started to get active. The folks at the Northwest Angle and Islands are muskie experts, give them a call and let them set you up with an adventure of a lifetime.

LEECH LAKE – Anderson’s Resorts, Tim (1-800-516-0077) Sand Point is the place to be if you want walleyes on Leech Lake. Slip bobbers and leeches are the ticket. Little Hardwoods and Star Points are still going stronger as well. Two Points is really getting started with the muskie action with lots of 40+ inch fish being caught, the real big ones are not biting yet but they will soon! Bear Island area has been very active as of late. West side Clay Bank, Chippewa Reef for walleyes. East side perch and pike have been great. Panfish have been really active in Shingobee Bay. Small baits tipped with wax worms or crappie candy. Come enjoy Leech Lake. Plan a fall trip!

METRO AREA EAST – Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle, Josh, Oakdale (651-777-2421) The northerns and bass are biting well on Forest and Big Marine Lakes. Some are good size. The muskies are starting to be active; some big ones are being seen. The sunnies are biting on Peltier, and Square Lake. The crappies are also biting on Square Lake and Bald Eagle in the evenings. Some walleyes and sauger are biting on the St. Croix.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Chris Kuduk's Guide Service, Chris Kuduk (320-630-1761) The bite is still going great, on the mud use crawlers and spinners. Use cranks in the deeper water for the suspended fish. On the rocks, use leeches under slip bobbers in the evenings and morning. The smallies are biting on the shoreline rocks. Call now to schedule your trip for the muskie season that is starting up now. The muskies are starting to become very active in the bays.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Malmo Market, Lynwood Elliott, State Hwy 47 and 18 East, NE corner of Mille Lacs (320-684-2295) Mille Lacs mud flat fishing has started. Most anglers have transitioned to the flats and are doing well. This is a fun and easy way to fish that you can only do on Mille Lacs. New affordable technology makes finding the flats easy (mapping chips). No snags or weeds, every bump is a fish. Locators work great, the large flats make for easy uncontested drifting or trolling. There are 2 popular fishing styles for the mud. Trolling deep diving crankbaits tied to fireline or splicing in sections of leadcore line allows you the ability to fish smaller crankbaits. Trolling the outer edge of the mud working on and off the flat works well. The other method is drifting the top and edges with long lined Lindy rigs. (6'-12') larger weights or bottom bouncers are required because of the depth. If you've never fished the mud flats you need to plan a trip. Flat fishing lasts thru the summer and is a fun way for the whole family to fish. Most of the flats hold fish. Stop in and we'll put you on the most active flats. Have fun!

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) Fishing is hot along with the weather. The bug hatch may have slowed things down a bit, but not enough for the anglers to complain. Deep mud and gravel are producing a lot of big fish. Lindy rigging and pulling crank baits during the day seemed to be the ticket and the trusty bobber at night. You’ve seen the Big Mean Walleye, come check out our NEW MASSIVE MUSKY! Come check out our Beer Cave!

LAKE MINNETONKA - Wayzata Bait & Tackle, Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227) Some fish are being caught out among the boaters. The sunnies and northerns are biting well on the weedlines up in about 6 feet of water, trolling suckers for the northerns. The crappies are out in 18 feet of water about 9 feet down in the deep weedlines. The water temp is 78 degrees, but no word on the muskies. The bass are biting everywhere.

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) The warmer water temperatures should increase the pike and musky bite. Trolling deep and fast should be the ticket. Crappies and panfish are on the deeper weed edges. The walleye bite has slowed down again, they seems to be laying low and deep, time of day seems to be the factor. Leeches seem to be the bait of choice or fat heads - nothing too big yet. We do reel repair and rod tips in house, other rod repair can be sent out. We also have Dry Ice for your picnics and shipping needs.

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 bass, pike, and panfish are all feeding up now. The key now is to look for the fish to be hanging near the weed flats or edges of the cabbage weeds. The bass are hitting leeches for live bait, or Gulp plastic worms. The pike are slamming spinnerbaits tipped with a medium sucker minnow. Trolling in 8-15 feet of water has produced the best results. For crappies and sunnies check out 8-10 feet of water. The crappies have been most active in the evening hours while the sunfish are biting all day long. Walleyes have been sporadic. The best lakes this week have been Gull, Pelican, and the Whitefish Chain. On Gull we have noticed a shift of the bigger fish into the weeds. It always seems to happen about this time of the year. You can still catch a few fish out on the weedlines but those fish have been running on the small side. The best tactic has been fishing through the weeds with a bottom bouncer and a redtail chub. Another good tactic is anchoring with a slip bobber and a redtail or a leech. On Pelican and Whitefish we are catching them on a live bait rig and redtails. Most of these fish have been hanging along the weedlines. Mille Lacs Lake continues to be the hot bite of the state. You can fish any way that you want, anywhere that you want on Mille Lacs and catch fish right now. Tip of the week: Don’t forget the kids. It is a great time to get the youngsters out on the lake. The bugs haven’t been too bad yet and the fish action won’t get much better.

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 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.

PARK RAPIDS – Delaney’s Sport Center, Kevin, East 1st St (218-732-4281) The walleye bite is still the best on Long Lake from 14 to 19 feet deep with crawlers and leeches. The northerns are biting on Fish Hook Lake in about 12 feet of water on sucker minnows. The bass are chasing spinner baits on Long, Big Man Trap and most other area lakes. The crappies are biting in the Crow Wing Chain in 16 to 18 feet of water on the weedlines. The muskies are up shallow, top water stuff should be working for them on Big Man Trap.

PELICAN RAPIDS – Park Region Sport Shop, Lee Brenna, Intersection of Interstate 59 and 108 in downtown Pelican Rapids (800-962-8553) The walleye bite is starting to slow down. Look for them in the deeper water with crawlers. The panfish bite is going good. Some big gills on Lida, Lizzie and Crystal are being caught, some up to a pound. They are still guarding their beds now. The crappies are suspended on the outside edge of the cabbage weeds, Lida has lots of crappies but they need to be over 11 inches to keep. The muskie action is starting to pick up on Pelican with the warmer weather.

RAINY LAKE – Rainy Lake Tourism (1-800-FALLS-MN) Persistent anglers are getting fish; walleye have been caught in 15-20 feet of water in the major bays. Try vertical jigging with a minnow, or troll a spinner rig tipped with either a minnow or leech. Crappie fishing is just starting to pick up in Black Bay. Smallmouth bass anglers are scouting areas for the upcoming tournaments on Rainy Lake and Rainy River. Meanwhile, reports from river anglers are that walleye and northern pike are hitting pretty well in the swifter waters both above and below the dam at International Falls. Some consistent weather expected over the next few days should prompt the walleye to begin congregating around submerged reefs, warmer weather and more sunshine will also prompt smallmouth bass to start striking at poppers, raps and the like. If you go for a hike, bring a basket and a camera. You might encounter some berries starting to ripen in the forest, and you could snap a shot of whitetail deer, waterfowl or upland birds with their young in tow. One other thing to be sure and bring is insect repellent.

RED WING – Ike's Bait & Tackle, Ken, 2109 Old W Main St, Red Wing (651- 388-2111) Big northerns are being caught on the Rush River mouth, 12 to 25 pounders, using red eye spoons and large sucker minnows. Maden Rock Flats has been where the walleye and sauger action has been out in about 14 to 20 feet of water. Also in Lake Pepin, the walleyes and sauger bite has been ok pulling shad raps. The crappies and sunnies are in the back waters. The bass are biting on the rocks.

SAINT CLOUD – Stop Light Bait, 8th Avenue SE, St. Cloud (320-255-9689) Largemouth and northern pike are giving anglers a lot of action right now. Clearwater, Big Birch and Pearl lakes are producing some nice fish. Big Birch also has some great smallmouth fishing. Sunfish on Clearwater have spread out and are now out in deeper water. Lady Lake, Pearl and Cedar are producing sunfish also. Try a little deeper weedline edges. Walleyes have been biting on Big Birch in the very early morning hours, Search from 12 to 15 feet deep. Mille Lacs fishing is still good; leeches and crawlers are taking most of the fish. Smallmouth are also biting on the Mississippi River. Fly fishermen should not miss out on the opportunity. Chartreuse and white clouser minnows, weighted willie buggers, and other sculpin patterns should work great. We still have bulk leeches in stock and all the other bait you might need.

SAINT PETER – Hermie's Bait, Brad, 43539 French Hill Rd. St.Peter MN 56082 (507-931-6875) The panfish bite has been good. A few walleyes are being caught tout ion the 2nd and 3rd points on Washington and a few sunnies. The northerns are biting on Lake Elysian and he bass are going on German Lake.

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) Well, walleye search is on, only a few were caught this weekend on Tetonka/Sakatah. Northerns were crazy though; a lot of nice ones were caught using creek chubs. Bass were plentiful as well as sunnies and some perch action was reported. Clear Lake is giving up a few crappies still using waxies/crappie Minnows.Fish Lake was reporting some larger crappies being taken in the deeper holes. Area lakes seem to be almost weed free (not really a good thing), but the tourists love it.

STARBUCK - Minnewaska Bait, Larry Jensen, Hwy 29 near the Starbuck Marina (320-239-2239) The walleyes are slowing up a bit; guys are still getting some, but no real pattern. The sunfish and bass are going great. The sunnies are in 5 to 6 feet of water and are biting on small leeches and waxies. The bass are in that same range and are biting on spinners or a leech under a bobber. The northern action is picking up in the mouth of the creaks around on the lake or by the cold water springs. Tossing red eyes or daredevils or big sucker minnows.

WACONIA - Mase’s In Towne Marine, Cindy, corner of Lake and Elm (952-442-2096) A lot of muskie follows reported. The sunnies are in 8 feet of water and less, or out in the 20 foot range. The northerns are biting real well. The crappies are of the reefs and deeper. The bass are in about 4 feet of water and shallower up into the weeds.

WINNIBIGOSHISH – Walleye Visions, Tom Neustrom, 21622 Airport Rd, Grand Rapids (218-327-2312) This past week on Big Winnie was another wind blown one, but all in all the Walleyes have been doing pretty good. There have been a lot of big fish caught this last week and the eaters (14 to 17 inches) have been a little tough to come by. Persistence and moving around have been the best bet. Leeches and rigs have been the best, but make sure you bring a few crawlers with on every trip. Each spot you try may be a little different and the Walleyes may want something else each spot. The off-shore bite is definitely the dominant one right now and make sure you don't spend too much time at any spot till you find active fish. The Main Bar, Long Bar, and Sugar have been very consistent. Depths of 18 to 22 feet seem to be the preferred starting spots. A 6 to 7 foot leader with a colored Northland Hook in orange or chartreuse have been working real well. Anglers pulling #7 Shad Raps or Minnow Raps in 9 to 11 feet have been catching a nice bag of northern pike and walleyes. The perch fishing has been a little sporadic, but that also is showing signs of picking up. There have been some nice big bluegills coming off of Big Cutfoot in the back end of McAvity Bay and the area between Williams Narrows and the Bridge. Don't forget the Women on Water Tournament on Big Winnie on Sunday, July 8th. For more info call the Gosh Dam Place at 218-246-8202.