Fishing report

BRAINERD/NISSWA

Walleye anglers are finding fish on several area lakes. Look deep during the day, and as shallow as five feet during the evening hours. Gull, Round, North Long and Edwards all provided walleye action again last week. The weed edges on these lakes have also produced plenty of northern pike. Muskie anglers report increased activity on Lake Wabedo and Baby Lake.

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

The main lake bars have been the best bets for walleyes. Lindy Rigs or spinner rigs tipped with crawlers seem to be working best. The exception has been during the evening hours when Shad Raps are taking fish on top of the bars. Look for some good-sized perch on these bars as well. Muskie reports are limited.

LAKE OF THE WOODS

The most consistent walleye action seems to be coming from shallow water. Resorts along the Rainy River report good walleye fishing with jigs and leeches in 6 to 12 feet of water. On the south shore of the lake, Nitrocrawlers are fooling walleyes in 16 feet of water. Downrigging has also provided a few good walleye stringers this week. At the Northwest Angle/Islands area, spinner rigs are producing walleyes near weeds.

LEECH LAKE

In the north, walleye anglers with better success have continued to stay on the move. Crankbaits or live bait rigs are a good way to go near the Hardwoods and Ottertail Point. The evenings and early morning hours have been more productive. The shallow weedbeds and bulrushes are providing a few muskies and some northern pike.

In the south, the flats in Sucker Bay, near Duck Point, and just off Goose Island are kicking out walleyes this week. The emerging cabbage beds are holding numbers of fish as well. For the most part, live bait rigs tipped with crawlers or crankbaits are turning fish in 8 to 12 feet of water. On the main lake, work the rock piles and main lake structure with baits that cover a lot of water in a short amount of time.

MILLE LACS

In the east, anglers continue to find consistent walleye action on the deep gravel and mud during the day. Spinner rigs tipped with crawlers or leeches are producing fish. During the early morning and evening hours, look to the shallow rock as a primary area, although slip-bobber rigs are producing fish at night on the deep structure as well. Slip bobbers also will work on the shallow rock, but crankbaits have produced plenty of walleyes as well. Smallmouth bass have started hitting with more regularity again.

In the west, look to the mud flats for consistent walleye action again this week. The key has been to work the edges of these flats. Drift or troll spinner rigs and crawlers during the day, while slip bobbers and leeches are the way to go at night. Perch are still being caught with regularity.

DETROIT LAKES

The walleyes being caught in this area have been weed related. Find a defined weed edge on lakes such as Melissa, Floyd, Big Pelican or Big Detroit and you should hit some walleyes. During the evening hours they've been particularly kind to anglers. Sunfish, bass and pike are hitting on the aforementioned lakes.

DULUTH

Northern pike and crappies continue to hit on Fish Lake and Island Lake. The key on these lakes has been to work the shallow weeds and rock pile edges. On the St. Louis River, walleyes are still on the bite, although not as consistently as a few weeks ago. Smallmouth bass have been the big story here. Smallmouth are being caught along the rocky shorelines of the river.

GRAND RAPIDS

Anglers are finding crappies on Splithand Lake, Spider Lake and Pughole Lake. Most of these fish have remained in shallow water and have actually bitten better as the weather warms. Lakes such as Jessie and Bowstring are still your best bets for walleyes in 18 to 20 feet of water. Lindy Rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers have worked best.