Fishing report
BRAINERD/NISSWA
Redtails on live bait rigs are producing limits of walleyes in 15 to 18 feet of water on many area lakes. Bass and northern pike action also has been consistent on many lakes in six to 15 feet of water. Crappies and sunfish are hitting at a good pace throughout the area in 12 to 24 feet of water.
CASS LAKE AREA
The walleye bite has been very good in 18 to 25 feet of water on Cass Lake. This bite has been especially good early in the morning on North Cedar Bar, the Rock Pile, and East Cedar Bar. Muskie action has been excellent along the cabbage of Allen's Bay, Strawberry Point, and Wishbone Bar. Fathead minnows are producing perch on Cass in six to 12 feet of water. Look for consistent bluegill action along the lily pads of Dick's Bay on Cass, Lake Andrusia, Kitchi Lake, and Rice Lake.
CROSBY AREA
Crappies and sunfish are hitting in 15 to 20 feet of water on Serpent Lake, Rabbit Lake, Turner Lake, Kego Lake, and Upper Mission Lake. The bigger fish have been suspended about six feet off the bottom. The "West Bowl" of Rabbit Lake also is producing walleyes on leeches and crawlers. The mine pits are giving up more northern pike than anything else this week. A few trout can be expected from deep water on these pits as well. The bear season has started slowly and most hunters are reporting a lot of berries and acorns in the woods.
CROSS LAKE
Live bait rigs tipped with redtail minnows or nightcrawlers are turning walleyes in 22 to 28 feet of water on Whitefish Lake, Pelican Lake, and Cross Lake. The key to daytime action has been to work the points and reefs. The evening hours are best spent trolling crankbaits in shallower water. Crappies and sunfish are being pulled from the weeds in 18 to 22 feet of water. The bigger crappies have been suspended. Bass and northern pike remain weed-related and easy to catch throughout the area.
DETROIT LAKES
Walleye reports are pretty inconsistent, with the best bites taking place early in the day on Big Detroit Lake, Island Lake, and Big Cormorant Lake. Muskies are hitting bucktails on the weed edges of Big Pelican Lake and Big Detroit. Sour Lake is kicking out sunfish in four to eight feet of water, right in the reeds. Acorn Lake is a safe bet for good-sized sunfish and crappies as well.
GRAND RAPIDS
Walleyes are hitting minnows along the shoreline breaks on Splithand Lake. Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake is kicking out sunfish and crappies in less than eight feet of water, and the deeper weeds of Lake Pokegama are a safe bet for smallmouth bass. Hit North Star Lake and Spider Lake for a few muskies.
HACKENSACK AREA
Birch Lake and Pleasant Lake are providing consistent crappie action in the shallow weeds. Birch Lake also is producing a few walleyes in 14 to 18 feet of water. Bass and northern pike are hitting along the weeds of most area lakes. The bear season has been slow and most hunters are reporting a lot of acorns in the woods.
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
The shoreline breaks, weed edges, and points have been the best bets for walleyes this week. Shallow-running crankbaits or jigs tipped with minnows are working best in 10 to 12 feet of water. Expect plenty of northern pike and quite a few good-sized perch in these same areas.
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Water levels on the Rainy River are pretty much back to normal and the walleyes have started hitting jigs tipped with minnows. At the Northwest Angle/Islands area, the 24-foot reefs and the six- to eight-foot weed edges are giving up walleyes. Along the south shore, work "the field" in 10-22 feet, the Lighthouse gap in 16 feet of water and the Zippel Bay area for walleyes. Jigs, spinners, and live bait rigs all have produced fish again this week.
LEECH LAKE
Muskie action is going strong as the fall season approaches. Cabbage weeds are again the key for numbers of active fish. Look to Portage Bay, Sucker Bay, and Agency Bay again this week as likely muskie spots. Expect a few walleyes during the evening hours off the points and rocky shorelines. Pitch a jig and minnow or troll crankbaits in 10 to 15 feet of water. There are a few bigger perch being seen this week. They've been roaming the weed-covered shoreline breaks.
MILLE LACS
The shallow rock piles seem to be kicking out a few more fish than the deep structure right now. This bite has been especially good during the evening hours, late into the night with crankbaits or slip bobbers and leeches. The north end has been the best bet for muskies, but the bays and rock piles along the east end of the lake started giving up quite a few big pike over the weekend. Spinners or bucktails are turning bigger fish. Smallmouth bass continue to be caught on the rocks and points as well. Bear hunters registered six animals here and reported a lot of activity on their bait piles.
PARK RAPIDS
Big Sand Lake is producing quite a few walleyes in 30 feet of water on leeches and crawlers. Northern pike and bass continue to hit spinnerbaits or minnows on Fish Hook Lake in 14 feet of water. Straight Lake is the best bet in this area for bluegills in 16 feet of water. Bear hunters have struggled so far this season. There just hasn't been much activity at their baits.
PERHAM AREA
Big Pine and Little Pine Lake are producing walleyes in 12 to 20 feet of water. Shiners or fathead minnows seem to be working best on jigs. Lake Marion and Little McDonald Lake also are worth noting for walleyes at these depths. Northern pike and panfish seem to be biting along the thick weeds of most area lakes.