BEMIDJI

Jigs tipped with minnows are fooling walleyes in six to nine feet of water on Lake Bemidji. Jigs also have been the ticket for walleyes on Wolf Lake in less than 10 feet of water. Panfish action is slow, but lakes such as Irvine and Bemidji can be counted on for northern pike in eight to 10 feet of water.

BRAINERD/NISSWA

Shiner minnows remain the best bet for walleyes on Round Lake, Pelican Lake, and North Long Lake. You’ll find plenty of active walleyes on Gull Lake as well, but most have been small. During midday hours, the best bite is taking place in 17 to 35 feet of water, but you’ll catch walleyes as shallow as five feet after sunset. Spinner rigs and a 4-inch sucker minnow are turning numbers of northern pike on Upper Gull Lake. Crappies continue to be caught in the shallows of Upper Gull and Merrifield Bay on North Long.

LAKE MINNETONKA

Walleye reports continue to be limited, but the crappie and northern pike action have been very good in 10 to 14 feet of water. Look for bigger crappies in the milfoil, while the majority of pike are cruising the milfoil edges. Sunfish are an easy catch in six feet of water throughout the lake, and the bass opener is expected to be excellent with plenty of fish to be had in shallow water.

LAKE VERMILION

Vertical fishing with a jig and minnow has been the ticket for walleyes on the west side of the lake in 30 to 40 feet of water. There are a few walleyes hitting crankbaits during the evening hours in shallower water. The key is to work the windswept shores. There’s also some evening action with slip bobbers on the rock humps. Crappies have moved into the traditional shallow bays, but you need to finesse them in about two feet of water. Northern pike and bass have been caught by anglers fishing in the mid-teen depths at a decent pace.

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Catching numbers of walleyes along the shore has been relatively easy this week with a jig and minnow combination. Four Mile Bay, the Lighthouse Gap, Pine Island area, and Morris Point Gap have all provided a steady walleye bite. At the Northwest Angle, Shad Raps have turned the majority of fish in two to eight feet of water.

LEECH LAKE

Jig and shiner minnow combinations are turning walleyes near Star Point and Pine Point in 12 feet of water on Leech Lake. Jigging also has been productive during the evening hours off the points in Walker Bay in 12 to 15 feet of water. Crappie action remains strong in the shallows of Shingobee Bay and the north end of Kabekona Bay. On Garfield Lake, walleyes are hitting jigs tipped with minnows in eight to 12 feet of water.

MILLE LACS

East – The north-end sand is kicking out a lot of walleyes in 12 to 14 feet of water. Long, live bait rigs or slip bobbers with leeches have been most productive. The shallow rocks on the east end continue to hold walleyes during the evening hours. The midday bite also is worth noting on mid- depth rocks that lie in 15 to 20 feet of water. The top of Three Mile Reef, the outer edges of the Three Mile, and Lakeside Reef all have been productive this week.

West – The walleye bite is much better than a week ago with limits being taken in St. Alban’s Bay. Drifting Lindy rigs with rainbow minnows or leeches in 14 to 20 feet of water has been best. The edges of the mud flats continue to give up more fish than expected in 23 to 28 feet of water. Sherman’s Flat and Curley Flat have been especially good this week. The evening bite is still best off Pike Point, Seguchie Point, and Brown’s Point with slip bobbers and leeches.