Statewide

Alexandria Area

Bucktails or large sucker minnows continue to turn a few muskies in 10 to 15 feet on Lake Miltona. Hit Miltona and Reno Lake with a jig and minnow for walleyes in 15 to 20 feet. There’s been a few anglers pulling crankbaits at night for walleyes on Reno in shallower water as well. The 10- to 15-foot weeds on lakes such as Geneva, Le Homme Dieu, Mary, and Carlos are producing bass and panfish. Pheasant hunting reports have been better from just west of the area, but there isn’t much for new ducks moving in. Youth deer hunting reports were pretty impressive from last weekend.

Christopherson’s Bait And Tackle (320) 763-3255

Annandale Area

Walleyes are hitting minnows on Clearwater Lake and Big Swan Lake in 18 to 24 feet, and Lake Sylvia in 25 feet – some fish are being taken with crankbaits shallower during the late afternoon/evening hours. The old weedlines on most lakes are producing largemouth bass and the west end of Clearwater is giving up crappies over 15 to 25 feet. Most reports indicated that the youth hunt and early antlerless seasons went well. There seemed to be plenty of deer seen and shot locally. Duck and pheasant reports have been minimal.

Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

Battle Lake Area

Jigs tipped with minnows and crawlers are turning walleyes in 12 to 15 feet at Rush Lake, Otter Tail Lake, and West Battle Lake. Trolling crankbaits at night in less than 7 feet has produced walleyes on these lakes as well. Crappies and sunfish are being found in less than 8 feet around weeds or suspended over 20 feet or so on West Battle, Star Lake, Clitherall Lake, and Fish Lake. Large sucker minnows or spoons are turning pike in the 20-foot weeds throughout Otter Tail, West Battle, Fiske Lake, and South Turtle Lake. Muskie action has really picked up with sucker minnows in 10 to 20 feet on West Battle, Beers Lake, and Mollie Stark Lake. The youth deer hunt went well, but waterfowl numbers are very limited.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

Bemidji Area

Live-bait rigs or jigs with larger minnows are turning walleyes in 12 to 18 feet at Lake Bemidji, Lake Plantagenet, Lake Andrusia, and Big Lake. Bass fishing has been very good off the deep weeds with plastics and most panfish are now suspended over deep water on area lakes. Grouse hunting has been pretty good with most of the leaves now down.

Dick Beardsley Guide Service (218) 556-7172

Blackduck Area

Walleyes continue to be taken with a jig and minnow on Blackduck Lake and Island Lake in 12 to 18 feet. Crappies and bluegills remain active, off the remaining weed edges or in 18 to 30 feet at Gilstead Lake, Pimushe Lake, Gull Lake, and Blackduck. A lot of deer were shot during the youth hunt last weekend - deer numbers sound decent. Grouse hunting reports have improved quite a bit as well, but there hasn’t been much for new ducks trickling into the area.

Timberline Sports And Tackle (218) 835-4636

Brainerd/Nisswa Area

Walleyes remain scattered and hitting minnows from 25 to 35 feet on Whitefish Lake and Pelican Lake, while Gull Lake is producing walleyes in 12 to 28 feet. You’ll find sunfish and bass around the 10- to 15-foot weeds on Gull, Nisswa Lake, North Long Lake, and Cullen Lake. Look for suspended crappies over 25 to 30 feet on North Long, Hubert Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Gull. Sucker minnows continue to produce a few muskies on the north end of Gull in 14 to 18 feet.

S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

Cass Lake Area

Perch and a few walleyes are being taken on a jig and minnow in less than 10 feet on Cass Lake, Pike Bay Lake, and Lake Andrusia. Walleyes are hitting bigger minnows in 12 to 15 feet at Cass as well. Muskies continue to be found on the flats and weeds in 10 to 15 feet throughout Cass. Crappies and bluegills are hitting in 6 to 12 feet on Kitchi Lake, Buck Lake, and Grace Lake.

Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831 Sunsetcove-Resort.com

Chisago Area

There’s been a few walleyes taken with minnows and crankbaits in 12 to 16 feet on Green Lake and North Center Lake. Sunfish and crappies also remain active in 12 to 16 feet on Chisago Lake, South Center Lake, North Lindstrom Lake, and North Center. Bass and pike are being caught along the 8- to 15-foot weeds on most lakes. Duck numbers have not improved, but most reports from the youth deer hunt indicated a strong success rate.

Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

Cook Area

Walleyes are hitting minnows around the 25- to 35-foot holes and reefs or 8- to 12-foot sand on the west side of Lake Vermilion. Muskies are being found suspended during the day on the tops of the reefs in 15 to 20 feet. The deep holes, 30 feet or more, on Pelican Lake and Elephant Lake are giving up crappies, these fish are suspended as well. Hunting reports indicate decent youth deer hunt success and improved grouse hunting.

Northwoods Bait & Tackle of Cook (218) 780-0089

Crosby Area

The deeper holes and rice bed edges throughout the Mississippi River are giving up smallmouth bass and a few walleyes. Walleyes are hitting minnows and crawlers on Pelican Lake, Serpent Lake, and Rabbit Lake in 10 to 12 feet or 19 to 22 feet. Bigger pike are being taken with bucktails on Portsmouth Pit and Sagamore Pit. Trout, sunfish, and bass reports have been light, but crappies are hitting in 10 to 12 feet or they’re suspended over 25 to 35 feet on Little Rabbit Lake, Nokay Lake, Clearwater Lake, and Bay Lake. Reports from youth deer season were mostly favorable and several big bucks were shot. There seems to be a few more ringnecks in the area, but overall duck numbers remain limited.

Oars ‘N Mine Bait And Tackle (218) 546-6912

Duluth Area

Walleyes are hitting bigger minnows on jigs at Island Lake in 15 feet and Boulder Lake or Fish Lake in 10 feet. Hit the Highbanks area on Fish for crappies over 15 feet. Large sucker minnows are producing quite a few muskies on the St. Louis River and Island; work structure in 8 to 12 feet. Youth deer hunters did well last weekend and archery hunters are filling plenty of tags as well. Bucks have started to move. Grouse hunting reports have also been mostly favorable.

Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

East Central Minn.

Crappies and sunfish are hitting in 7 to 14 feet on Blue Lake and Green Lake. Smallmouth bass and a few walleyes are being caught with plastics or minnows in the deeper holes on the Rum River and Mississippi River.