How about that global warming? Somebody forgot to tell the weatherman in this neck of the woods about it. I suppose my mention of this will come back to haunt me later on, but it has been unusually cold for June. We have gotten the rain now so I’m betting the farmers would like a little warmer weather to go along with it. There is an upside — the Minnesota State bird (mosquito) has remained fairly quiet so far.

It sounds like the Fountain Lakes Sportsman’s Annual “Take A Kid Fishing Day” had a very good turnout despite the weather. I guess it just shows that we Minnesotans are a hardy bunch and even though it was tough sledding, the event was considered a success. It is important for us adults to share the outdoors experience with our youth and this event is a good example of doing just that. This event is a great way to introduce our future fishermen and outdoors enthusiasts to the outdoors.

I don’t think that there are too many kids who have experienced an overnight camping trip or a family vacation, which involved camping, that wouldn’t jump at a chance to do it again. I know that my boys, when they were young, would really be excited at the mention of an upcoming fishing/camping trip. We are lucky to have a lot of nice campgrounds close by that are on good fishing lakes. If you are thinking of camping for the first time you can pick up a decent tent for a reasonable price and with a minimal investment you could be spending a weekend by the lake without having to drive a great distance.

Helmer Myre State Park is right in our back yard and it offers many ways to connect with the outdoors. Sakatah State Park on Lake Sakatah in Waterville is another nice state park within a short distance of home. There are also many resorts and campgrounds in the Waterville area with great camping accommodations. The Fairmont area also has a lot of great fishing lakes with campgrounds so wherever you want to camp there is plenty of opportunity within a short distance.

As far as fishing goes, you don’t have to limit your fishing to that one day when adults take kids fishing for free. We have some good fishing right here in our area. Buying a license is a good way to ensure that adults a well as kids will have fun.

There is definitely a lot to do in our area even if you don’t fish. It seems like more and more of our residents are walking, biking and just enjoying the trails and recreational opportunities the area has to offer.

As I mentioned in one of my past columns it’s great to see the horseshoe pits at Frank Hall Park being used and more and more families are using the pavilions for family picnics and gatherings.

The Albert Lea area lakes have been very good for fishing lately. There have been some real nice sunnies coming out of Fountain Lake along with some crappies and walleye. Albert Lea Lake has been producing not only some dandy crappies but also there are some good walleyes being caught.

The walleye bite has been a late evening and night bite. The best walleye fishing has been after 9 p.m. on both lakes. I have found that even when there is a late-night bite you can usually pick up an occasional walleye at almost any time of the day. We also need to remember that you are only allowed one walleye more than 20-inches in possession statewide.

Beaver Lake has some dandy bass to go along with a healthy walleye population and a good number of crappie.

St. Olaf has bass, crappie and northern which have a slot limit of one fish more than 30-inches. If you like catching fish and don’t mind releasing them there is a lot of fun to be had fishing northern on this lake.

Here are a few fishing reports from around the state.

BATTLE LAKE — Walleyes — fishing has been kind of slow on most lakes. Look shallow and in the rivers. Try Sugar, Silver, Walker, Ottertail, Big and Little Pine. And Rush in 15-22 feet of water with shiners. Some Otter Tail reports have come from 28-32 feet of water. Northerns — they have been biting on most lakes with suckers in about 15 feet of water while trolling. Clitheral, Ottertail are most popular. Crappies — They are in the shallows, try Blanch, Elbow, Molly Stark with crappie minnows. Sunnies — they are in shallow water. Try Blanch, East Battle, Stalker, and Clitheral. They have been using crawlers, leeches, and gulp.

BEMIDJI — Walleyes are biting on Plantagenet, they are catching them but they are kind of on the smaller side. Bemidji is starting to turn on here too. Irvin has been steady, Andrusia too. Any lake with a river system going through has been good. Gold and silver colors have been the choice jig colors, tipped with shiners. No leech bite as of yet.

BRAINERD/NISSWA — Walleye action has improved on the north end of Gull Lake in 18 to 30 feet with minnows. On the Merrifield end of North Long Lake, you’ll catch walleyes with shiners or leeches in 20 to 30 feet. Panfish action is strong in the shallows of Gull, Nisswa Lake, Roy Lake, Cullen Lake, and Lake Margaret. Bass and pike are hitting sucker minnows in the shallows of most lakes.

CRANE LAKE — Walleyes remain active and hitting minnows in the shallow current areas. The crappie bite has slightly improved in shallow water and the smallmouths are hitting almost anything thrown their way in shallow water.

ELY — Pike are scattered, but hitting minnows in 15 feet throughout the White Iron Chain of Lakes. You’ll find walleyes scattered between four and 15 feet on Lake Shagawa. Minnows are producing walleyes and smallmouth bass on Basswood Lake in 15 to 20 feet. Lake trout action is poor and you’ll find a few crappies suspended over deep water on Fall Lake.

LAKE OF THE WOODS — The walleye are moving to deeper water but the bite remains strong here at Lake of the Woods. Anglers are heading out to 20-32 feet of water in search of fish, most are still anchored and jigging but some have been trying their luck drifting with spinners and crawlers. The hot spots remain around the Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point Gap, and the flat by Zippel Bay. A nice variety of sizes are being caught, nice eaters up to trophy fish have been reeled in the last few days. Fishing at the Northwest

Angle and Islands is heating up as well. The hot spots are around Oak Island and Flag Island with anchored or drifting working equally well.

LEECH LAKE — Leech Lake is hot, the fishing is just getting better every day and you do not have to join the line at pine or stony point now either.

The fish are moving out to the bars and reefs, jig and minnows are still the best tactic, but as the water warms leeches and crawler will pick up. Pike and bass are also falling in line with aggressive bites. So come up to leech and remember there are fish everywhere. So try some new water and enjoy the fishing!

MILLE LACS LAKE — A week of bad weather and last Saturday that blew Dorothy

off the farm and the fish are still biting. Water temps that are struggling to stay in the 50s and “super-winds” have not put a damper on the bite.

For those brave enough and dressed warm enough, this first week of walleye fishing has been a success. The shallow reefs are putting out fish as well as the north end sand breaks in 16-22 feet. The water temps will be on the rise and I suspect the bite will rise right along with temps. Cloudy breezy days will still be the best fishing and leeches are going strong out in first place for bait choice. Good luck and be safe on the water!

FARIBAULT — Sunfish have moved shallow on lakes such as Shields, Roberds, and Mazaska. An occasional walleye is pulled off the weedlines of Shields Lake in 12 to 14 feet. Walleyes also remain active on Fox Lake, but most have been small. Bass action is very good in shallow water on most lakes.

GRAND RAPIDS — Walleyes are hitting jigs and minnows in 8 to 12 feet on Bowstring Lake, Sand Lake, and the Mississippi River. Work the bays of Lake Pokegama and Trout Lake for crappies in 4 to 8 feet. Pike are hitting minnows throughout Pokegama and most lakes are kicking out bluegills and bass in shallow water.

PARK RAPIDS — Fish Hook Lake and Long Lake are producing walleyes on leeches in 16 to 19 feet. Bass are in 10 to 12 feet — pre-spawn mode on most lakes.

Bluegill action has picked up in the shallows of Straight Lake and a few crappies are coming off Long Lake in 12 to 14 feet.

RED LAKE — Walleyes continue to be caught on the 6 to 8 foot breakline at the mouth of the Tamarack River and south of the Tamarack. The south shore is producing fish with a jig and minnow in less than 8 feet. A few big pike are mixed in with walleye catches and the north shore is producing crappies in less than four feet.

Until next time enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors and let’s go fish’n.

Remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers throughout the year.