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Msg 1 Posted: 02:55 PM 07/27/06 (CST)
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Heat seems to be a good thing for muskie anglers
BIG SIX
LAKE MILLE LACS
East - The Two Mile and Three Mile reefs are producing walleyes in 29 to 35 feet during the day. Spinners and live bait rigs tipped with leeches and crawlers have worked best. At night, slip bobbers and leeches are the way to go on the mud flats. The north end is the best bet for muskies and numbers of smallmouth bass can be had in Mac’s Twin Bay and other rock areas.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
www.johnsonsportside.com
West - With some work, you’ll catch walleyes during the day on top of the flats in 22 to 29 feet on leeches or nightcrawlers. Slip bobbers and leeches are working best at night, although the bite has been more unpredictable. Northern pike and muskie action has picked up in Garrison Bay, Vineland Bay, and Wigwam Bay. Plugs or sucker minnows are turning the majority of fish. The smallouth bass bite has been excellent on the rocks.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
Tutt’s Bait & Tackle (320) 692-4341
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Downrigging with red or chartreuse Shad Raps has produced numbers of walleyes and sauger in 30 to 34 feet. The mud flats on the north side of Big Traverse Bay are one of the lake’s most consistent spots. Slow-trolling a minnow or leech along the reefs has produced large numbers of fish as well. The Frontier Landing area of the Rainy River is kicking out walleyes during the evening hours in 17 to 19 feet. At the Northwest Angle, numbers of walleyes are being taken on jigs or live bait rigs in 22 to 27 feet.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE AREA
Bucktails and topwater baits have triggered muskies on the weeds and rocks of Portage Bay, Pelican Island, and Pipe Island. Bass have bit consistently in the rice beds, while a few crappies can be had on the weed edges of Shingobee Bay. Work the Walker Narrows for bluegills and perch. The best bet for walleyes is with Shad Raps during the evening hours in 10 to 12 feet. Trader’s Bay, Sand Point, and the West Goose Flats have been best.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
LAKE MINNETONKA
Muskie action has picked up on the 15- to 18-foot breaks with smaller presentations. Sunfish and bass are active in the weeds during lowlight periods of the day. Bottom bouncers and crankbaits are producing a few walleyes in Brown’s Bay over 19 feet of water. Look for crappies and northern pike on top of the milfoil in 15 feet.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227
RAINY LAKE
Leeches and nightcrawlers are producing walleyes on the deep reefs in 30 to 35 feet throughout the day. You’ll find suspended crappies over 30 feet of water in Sand Bay. An occasional good-sized northern pike can be had off the deep weed breaks with sucker minnows. Smallmouth bass continue to hit at a good pace on the Canadian side of the lake.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Work the humps and bars in 16 to 24 feet of water. The walleyes are scattered so you have to stay on the move, ultimately picking off a fish or two at each stop. Lindy Rigs tipped with crawlers or leeches are working best, with spinner rigs being a secondary option. Some perch have been found in the weeds, but better numbers of big fish are being caught on deep, main lake structure.
Pines Resort and Campground (218) 246-8546
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
Twin Cities Metro
NORTHEAST METRO
Bucktails and Bull Dogs are turning muskies on Forest Lake and Lake Owassa. Northern pike and bass have been very active on lakes such as Demonterville, Bald Eagle, Big Marine, Big Carnelian, and Forest. There’s some evening walleye action in 20 to 24 feet on Clear Lake and Bald Eagle Lake. Look for sunfish in 10 to 12 feet on White Bear Lake, Little Lake, and Lake Peltier.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421
WEST METRO
Bass and northern pike can be had on the weedlines of Lake Auburn and Pierson Lake. Leeches are turning a few walleyes on Lake Riley and Lotus Lake during the evening hours. Lake Auburn is providing the area’s best sunfish bite in 12 to 14 feet, while Lake Bavaria is worth noting for crappies 14 to 16 feet.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022
LAKE WACONIA
Sunfish and bass are an easy catch in the shallow and deep weeds, but the majority of larger fish have been found in the deep vegetation. There’s an occasional walleye pulled off the reefs during the evening hours with Shad Raps or a slip bobber and leech combination. Muskie action has picked up on the weedlines, sand areas, and shallow sides of the reefs. Topwater baits and bucktails are triggering the most fish.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096
Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREA
A few walleyes can be had after dark in 30 feet of water on Lake Miltona and Lake Ida. Bass continue to bite with consistency in 15 to 20 feet on lakes such as Miltona, Le Homme Dieu, Geneva, and Darling. Work the cabbage beds of most lakes for sunfish and you will find a few crappies suspended off the deep weeds throughout the Le Homme Dieu Chain. Muskie reports have been limited.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255
ANNANDALE AREA
Sunfish are biting well in 10 to 12 feet on Sugar Lake, Clearwater Lake, Lake Sylvia, and Granite Lake. French Lake, Granite, and Clearwater are safe bets for crappies in 10 to 18 feet of water. Look for northern pike on the weedlines of Lake John, Pleasant Lake, and Clearwater. Topwater baits are triggering muskies at Sugar Lake. Clearwater gives up an occasional walleye from 16 to 20 feet.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE
Bass are hitting in the weeds of most fisheries, with Clitherall Lake, Blanche Lake, and West Leaf Lake producing bigger fish. Otter Tail Lake is kicking out numbers of walleyes in seven feet of water - if the wind is blowing. Rapalas also are turning walleyes on Clitherall in 20 feet during the evening hours. Sunfish action has improved on Clitherall, Battle Lake and South Turtle Lake in 12 to 15 feet. Muskie and northern pike have started hitting on West Battle Lake.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Walleye reports remain strong on Gull Lake in 17 to 27 feet with redtails and Lindy Rigs. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits on the weedlines of all lakes and you’ll find panfish taking small leeches in the weeds. Sucker minnows or redtails are producing northern pike on the weed edges of Gull, Lake Edward, and Whitefish Lake.
S & W Bait & Tackle (218) 829-7010
CHISAGO AREA
Chisago Lake is kicking out numbers of sunfish and bass in six to eight feet of water. Look to Chisago and North Center Lake for a few walleyes during the evening hours on leeches. North Center Lake started giving up crappies over 10 to 15 feet of water. The outside weed edges of most lakes are safe bets for northern pike and bass. Artificial and live presentations both have been productive.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
DETROIT LAKES
Big Cormorant Lake has a late night walleye bite going with slip bobbers and leeches or crankbaits. Look for bluegills on Crystal Lake, Lake Lizzie, and Round Lake. A few crappies can be had in the deep water of Rose Lake. Bucktails have produced some muskie action on the weedlines of Detroit Lake, while plastics remain a constant for largemouth bass throughout the area.
Dick Beardsley’s Guide Service www.fishingscene.com
FAIRMONT AREA
Look for suspended crappies over 16 feet of water on Hall Lake and Budd Lake. Budd Lake is producing walleyes in three to six feet on crawlers and floating jigs. Catfish continue to hit crawlers on lakes such as George, Sissiton, Hall, and Budd in shallow water. Bucktails and Suicks are the ticket for muskies on Fox Lake.
Master Sport and Bait (507) 235-5225
GRAND MARAIS AREA
Walleyes are being caught in two to five feet of water on Elbow Lake, Devil’s Track Lake, and Lake Saganaga. A slip bobber and leech has worked best during lowlight periods of the day. Smallmouth bass are inhaling crankbaits, tubes, and leeches on the shallow and deep rock piles of most lakes.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280
HACKENSACK AREA
Walleye action has picked up in 18 to 20 feet of water on Stoney Lake. Crankbaits have been the ticket for walleyes on Webb Lake, after dark, in eight to 10 feet. Smallmouth bass continue to hit on Ten Mile Lake and Baby Lake. Birch Lake is giving up crappies in 12 to 15 feet during the evening hours. Waxworms are producing sunfish in the 12-foot weeds of Birch Lake and Pleasant Lake.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE KABETOGAMA
Walleyes are located on the wind swept breaks in 24 to 28 feet. Look for bigger concentrations of fish from the Martin Island area east into Namakan. The shallow weeds and rock piles are holding smallmouth bass, most of which can be had on live bait or topwater presentations. Troll or toss jerk baits on the deep weeds for northern pike.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121
www.gatewaygeneral.com
LAKE OSAKIS
Sunfish remain active on the 10-foot weedlines and Half Mile Bar. Worms and small jigs are fooling the majority of fish. The Half Mile also has given up crappies in 12 to 15 feet of water. Walleye action is slow, but the weeds are holding numbers of northern pike and largemouth bass.
Fisherman’s Corner (320) 859-2181
LAKE VERMILION
Numbers of muskies have been taken this week by burning large tinsel tail bucktails over the weeds. Walleyes started showing up in the 22-foot saddles, especially when the wind is blowing. Look for big sunfish on the mud and numbers of northern pike in the weeds.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052
lakevermiliontradingco.com
McGREGOR AREA
Minnows are producing crappies on Lake Minnewawa in seven feet of water. The weedlines of Rat Lake continue to provide steady sunfish action. Walleye and northern pike activity is slow, but there are bass to be caught on most lakes.
Willey’s Sport Shop (218) 426-3382
MONTICELLO AREA
Despite low water, the deep holes in the Mississippi River are holding smallmouth bass and catfish. Lake Pulaski is giving up a few walleyes during the evening hours in 25 to 30 feet of water. Sunfish action remains strong on Lake Ida, Big Lake, Locke Lake, and Eagle Lake in less than 12 feet of water. Bass and northern pike can be had on these lakes as well.
Shuman’s Outdoor Sports (763) 295-3222
ORTONVILLE AREA
Look for walleyes from Shady Beach to Sodak on Big Stone Lake in 12 to 14 feet of water. Spinner rigs and crawlers are working best during lowlight periods of the day. On Lake Lac Qui Parle, crankbaits are producing walleyes in the Boyd’s Landing area in eight to 10 feet of water.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Fish Hook Lake and the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes are the area’s best bets for panfish in 10 to 14 feet of water. Live bait continues to produce walleyes during the evening hours on Big Sand Lake in 20 to 22 feet. Look to Potato Lake and Big Sand for smallmouth bass. Sucker minnows or crankbaits are turning northern pike on the weedlines of Big Mantrap Lake.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
RED LAKE
Walleyes are scattered on the east shore humps in five to seven feet. Leeches and crawlers are working best. A few crappies are being found on the cribs, but nothing real consistent. Spoons and crankbaits are turning some good-sized northern pike on the northeast corner of the lake in four to 10 feet.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657
RED WING AREA
Willow cats have started producing walleyes on the wing dams of the Mississippi River. Work the Maple Springs, Head of the Lakes, and mouth of Rush River areas on Lake Pepin with crankbaits for walleyes and sauger in 14 to 18 feet of water. The Rush River area has kicked out some good-sized pike as well. The shallow rock piles of Pepin continue to hold crappies and smallmouth bass.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
ST. CLOUD AREA
Sunfish can be had in six to 12 feet of water on Becker Lake, Pearl Lake, and Horseshoe Lake. Largemouth bass and northern pike remain active on Grand Lake, Big Lake, Big Fish Lake, and Pearl Lake. Some good-sized smallmouth bass can be had on Lake Koronis as well. Walleye reports have been limited to a few fish coming off Lake Koronis, after dark, on Shad Raps in 10 to 12 feet.
Corky’s Gas & Bait (320) 251-1567
SAUK CENTRE AREA
The north end of Sauk Lake is producing crappies in 10 feet of water during the evening hours. Sunfish are an easy catch on Sauk as well. Lake Levin is kicking out crappies in 15 feet of water. These fish are suspended and hitting Beetle Spins or minnows. Plugs or minnows are turning northern pike on the weedlines of Sauk, Maple Lake, Lilly Lake, and Fairy Lake. McCormick Lake remains the area’s best option for walleyes in nine feet of water.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155
STARBUCK AREA
You’ll find sunfish scattered throughout 12 feet of water on Lake Minnewaska. A few walleyes can be had on Minnewaska after dark on crankbaits in nine feet. Reno Lake is giving up some walleyes and good-sized perch in 12 to 14 feet of water.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239
WILLMAR AREA
Sunfish are hitting in the weeds of Nest Lake, Lake Andrew, Lake Florida, North Long Lake, and Green Lake. Look for walleyes on weed edges of Long Lake during lowlight periods of the day. Bass and northern pike remain active on most lakes.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097
http://www.bucketrack.com/THEJig.html
IF IT'S WET...IT'S CATCH'N FISH
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