MINNESOTA FISHING, HUNTING REPORT

LAKE MILLE LACS

East - A slip bobber and leech continues to produce walleyes on the 27-foot gravel bars. With some wind and low-light conditions, crankbaits will produce 'eyes on the shallow rocks and shoreline breaks. Muskie anglers are struggling and most blame the high tullibee population for the lack of activity. You can sight-fish or fan-cast crankbaits on the rocks for smallmouth bass.

West - The walleye bite has been best during low-light periods with slip bobbers and leeches or crankbaits. Work the edges of the mud flats and start looking to the shorelines after dark. Some fish continue to be caught on rigs and live bait or crankbaits during the day by covering the deep water off the mud. The muskie bite remains tough, but you will hook northern pike along the weedlines in St. Alban's Bay. Smallmouth bass remain an easy catch on the rock bars and points.

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Limits of walleyes and sauger continue to be caught on spinners tipped with crawlers or minnows in 20 to 30 feet. The southern shoreline, Garden Island, and the Gap have provided the best action and anglers have not had to travel too far into the lake to find fish. Limits of eaters and a few more big fish have been common again this week.

LEECH LAKE

Crankbaits have become real productive for walleyes during the evening hours on the points and weedlines. A jig and minnow also has worked during the day in these areas if the wind is blowing. Muskie action remains best in the weeds with bucktails and bass are hitting topwater baits in the reeds and slop. Panfish reports are strong in the bays with the exception of perch, which are tough to find. Bear hunters did well opening day, but many baits are now being hit at night.

RAINY LAKE

Minnows are producing walleyess in 28 to 30 feet in Sand Bay, in 32 to 36 feet around Fox Islands, and in 34 to 38 feet at Blueberry Island. Crappies have started hitting again in 10 feet throughout Black Bay and crankbaits are producing northern pike in Cranberry Bay. Bear hunters are doing well although there seems to be a trend of smaller bears this season.

LAKE WINIBIGOSHISH

Walleye action has improved in six to 10 feet with a jig and minnow off Raven's Point, the Duck Pass, and Little Stoney Point. Crawlers also are producing fish on Big Muskie and Little Muskie bars in 18 to 22 feet. Perch reports have been limited, but northern pike are active in eight to 12 feet.

CASS LAKE AREA

If the wind is blowing, there's a good walleye bite at Cass Lake on the eight-foot weed flats with minnows. Crankbaits are working on all the bars at night and during the day, 20 to 25 feet has been best with minnows on Cass and Pike Bay Lake. Perch remain shallow on Cass and along the breaks of Pike Bay. Bluegill and crappie reports are limited, but minnows are turning large pike in eight to 12 feet on Cass.

CROSBY AREA

Redtails and leeches are producing walleyes in 18 to 20 feet or in 24 feet on Serpent Lake and Rabbit Lake. Panfish reports remain strong in the area during the day in 20 feet or during the evening hours in eight to 12 feet. Spinnerbaits are producing bass throughout the day on lakes such as Serpent, Rabbit, Clearwater, Mission, and Nokay. Northern pike action has improved in the pits and on East Rabbit Lake, Bay Lake, and Horseshoe Lake in 14 to 20 feet. Trout action has been slow in the pits, with a few fish being caught on Powerbait by shore anglers.

CROSS LAKE AREA

Walleye action on the Whitefish Chain, Pelican Lake, and most other fisheries has improved. There's a good bite on Upper Whitefish in 18 to 26 feet with redtails or nightcrawlers. On Pelican, crankbaits are working best during low-light periods. Spinner rigs and sucker minnows trolled on the weedlines are producing northern pike. Pitch spinnerbaits or plastics around the docks for bass. Look for sunfish and crappies in 10 to 16 feet on most lakes.

EMILY AREA

A jig and fathead minnow is the ticket for walleyes at Levitt Lake in 15 feet. Look to West Fox Lake in 20 to 25 feet for sunfish and crappies, while East Fox Lake is kicking out northern pike in 15 to 18 feet via spoons. The north end of Roosevelt Lake is a safe bet for largemouth bass in 10 to 15 feet. Bear hunters are experiencing success with a lot of active baits and better harvest totals than a year ago.