Outdoors Weekly Minnesota Fishing Report

Minnesota Fish Tales Fishing Report
The Most In-Depth Statewide Fishing Report in Minnesota!

ANNANDALE 8-2-10
- B.J.'s Bait & Tackle - www.bjsbait.com
Bill, west side of Clearwater Lake, between the two public accesses (320-274-3730)
We are taking applications for BJs 12th Annual Northern Tournament on Clearwater Lake, Sat. Sept 11 2010. Go to www.bjsbait.com for application and rules. Only 100 boats allowed. Usually fills by Labor Day. Fish are in their summer pattern, pretty much everything is weedline edge. Have been seeing more crappies being caught this last week which is rare for Clearwater at this time of year.

8-17-10 - Walleyes are going on Ottertail, West Battle Lake, East Battle. People are using either nightcrawlers with bottom bouncers or jigs and minnows in 15-25 feet or at night trolling 5-8 feet with rapalas. Northerns: Troll the 15-20 foot weed beds with minnows, rapalas or spoons. Some lakes to try are Ottertail, West Battle Lake, Clitherall, Fiske. Bass: throw spinnerbaits around docks or in the lily pads. But the bigger ones are down deeper in 10-15 feet. You can also use jigs and minnows casting. Sunfish and crappies: The bigger ones are coming off of the 15-20 foot range over weeds. Using ants, flu flus or just little tube jigs. Green seems the color. Some lakes to try are West Battle Lake, Clitherall, Heilberger Lake, Star. Muskies: West Battle Lake, casting double spinner cow girls in the 20-foot weed beds. Or some people are bobber fishing in the weeds with decoy minnows.

BEMIDJI 8-4-10
- Bluewater Bait & Sports - www.bluewater-bait.com
Mark Cook, 136 Peaceful Meadows Ln., Hwy 197 South on the Hwy 2 Junction, (218-444-2248)
Cass Lake best for walleyes pulling crankbaits or Lindy rigs worms in 18-26 feet of water. Leech bite is dying, most are using crawlers and cranks, or minnows - redtails or rainbows. Bemidji also good, same depths, cranks after dark, from Cameron Park to Diamond Point off the weedline. Muskies reported on Big Lake, seeing a lot of fish. Most are throwing bucktails. Slower presentation best. Panfish bite good on Stump Lake and nice perch being caught on Bemidji.

Blackduck Lake has turned over this past week so the fishing has come to a crawl. The weeds are actually up to the to unlike last year so it is easier to go and drop a line in the middle of them and find the huge bluegill. The northern are biting on crankbaits right along the weedlines in 12-14' of water. There are some walleye being caught but you do have to work for them and use everything in your tackle box. This warm up will be over before we know it and the walleye will be back biting like they should in September.

BLACKDUCK AREA 8-4-10
- Timberline Sport & Tackle
Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd. (218-835-4636)
Blackduck walleyes and pike biting in about 12-14 feet of water. For panfish, try Gull, Gilstead, Twin Lakes. Use small leeches, pieces of nightcrawler on small jigs.

CHISAGO CITY 8-4-10
- Frankie's Live Bait and Marine - www.frankies.net
Brad, Corner of Hwy 8 and CR 77 (651-257-6334)
Bass are biting great on Chisago and South Lindstrom in deep water. Pike hitting on Green Lake on the edge of the weeds with suckers. South Center also has a good pike bite going. Panfish biting everywhere, try Chisago. Try panfish leeches and worms. Picking up a few walleyes on Green and South Center right at dark in 18-20 feet with fatheads or small suckers.

CROSBY 8-25-10
- Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle - www.oarsnmine.com
Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912)
Crappie and sunfish action has been pretty good on Manhomen, Little Rabbit and the north end of Roosevelt; white Puddle Jumpers or small tube jigs have been working best. Walleyes have been tough, but there are still some fish coming from the deep weeds on Serpent, Rabbit and Pelican. Pulling small crankbaits at night on Pelican has also been productive at night in shallow water over rocks. There have been plenty of nice bass, both largemouth and smallmouth, coming from Serpent. The smallies are on the rock humps and can be caught throwing deep diving crankbaits or jigging while the largemouth are relating to the weeds and can be caught on plastics. There are some bigger pike being caught with some coming from the pits now; big bucktails or large, slow-rolling crankbaits have been the ticket. Trout fishing has been non-existent until the water cools some.

8-9-10 - Walleye reports are very scattered in our area, best bet would be to work a 4” ringworm through deep cabbage and sort through bass and pike for the walleyes or use a similar technique on the downstream sides of rock bars on the Mississippi River. Evenings are still the best time. For numbers of pike, try trolling big stick baits off of the weed edges in 20 FOW throughout the morning hours in particular on Rabbit, Mission or Bay lakes. Panfish action has been pretty good on Black, Clearwater, Upper Dean and Nokay in 9-14 FOW near good weed growth. Bay, West Rabbit and Horseshoe have been kicking out some very nice largemouth bass fishing in the weeds or over shallow weeds and pads with topwaters in the evening while the Mississippi is tops for great smallmouth action along bank edges and eddies. Very few trout are being caught with the hot, humid weather; expect the bite to pick up around 40’ if we get some better weather on Manual or Huntington.

8-2-10 - The best walleye action is coming from Pelican, Farm Island and Serpent in 22-28 FOW on spinner rigs tipped with crawlers. Look for some fish in 6-8’ deep rocks at night on both Serpent and Pelican as well with small crankbaits or slip bobbers and leeches. The last few days we have seen some very quality pike caught on area lakes, including Emily, Rabbit, Mission, Nokay and some of the mine pits. Although the trout action is slower, there are some nice crappies and smallmouth coming from the mine pits, particularly Pennington and Huntington. The trout that are being caught are down 40-50’ and trolling with cowbells has been the most productive. The Mississippi and Pine rivers have been putting out some great smallmouth throughout the day, many of which are coming on fly rods. Largemouth bass are taking plastics fished along deep weed edges on most lakes during the day, and smashing topwaters such as Scum Frogs fished in the slop during lowlight periods. A good bet for big sunfish would be fishing the bays and backwaters on the Mississippi below Little Rabbit Lake.

DULUTH 8-4-10
- Marine General - www.marinegeneral.com
1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior (218-724-8833)
On Lake Superior mostly salmon and lake trout biting in 100 feet of water, fish are suspended from 35-60 feet. Spoons best. Walleye hitting on the south shore in 10-15 feet of water on stickbaits.

ELY 8-30-10
- Babe's Bait and Tackle - www.babesbait.com
451 W. Sheridan St., Ely, MN, first business on the left as you are entering town of Ely from the west on Hwy 169 (218-365-6930)

8-9-10 - August has not only given us hot weather, but we are also getting into some hot fishing action.

Walleyes are readily taking trolled Rapalas as well as Lindy rigs tipped with crawlers. They seem to have scattered throughout the water column, so best tactics are to troll or drift at varying depths to locate the fish, then slip bobber or cast the area to pick up the stragglers.

Burntside Lake has been giving up some whopper walleyes as well as Snowbank Lake, where the lake trout are competeing for top honors.

Bass fishermen aren't being left out either. Most lakes rocky shorelines are giving up good numbers of smallies down to twenty feet on the drop-offs. Crankbaits are working well in crawdad patterns.

Big pike are suckers for suckers whether at the weedlines or rocky points. Try some spinnerbaits for some great sub surface strikes.

For the latest updates stop in or give us a call at Babe's, "the best little bait shop in Ely".

GLENWOOD
- Fish On Bait & Sport www.habitatnow.com
Kyle, 201 S Franklin St, 2 blocks south of stoplights in Glenwood (320-634-3667)

Lots and lots and lots of bass and pike! Plenty of action and kept the kids and wife entertained. Went out for a couple hours Sunday and she beat me 13 to 9...mostly pike but a few bass in there as well. We just pulled Reef Runners in 12 to 14 fow in some traditional spots just for fun and to spend some time on the lake...nothing serious. Did not pick up any walleyes this time...not sure if we need to go deeper water or change up the technique...just not enough time to check all the options. Night bite is still my preference for walleyes and that is where I have done the best...floating rapala in 5 to 6 feet of water. Some walleyes being caught during the day, mostly in 16 to 20 feet of water with jig and shiner, leach or minnow as well as some on crawlers. Sunfish bite is the big attraction...still consistently nice big sunnies with many in the 1/2 lb or larger range. They are getting them anywhere from 6 fow out to 16 fow. We picked up some dandies trolling with Reef Runners as well. A lot of action, good sized and good eat'in! Pretty easy to get a limit and I think everyone ate pretty good over the holiday weekend! Probably better lakes to catch walleyes in but hard to beat Waska for great sunfish and just numbers of fish the family can catch. Just have not had any good reports from Reno. Heard of some crappies being caught but that is it. Still several boats out trying their luck there however.

GREY EAGLE 8-4-10
- Nancy's Bait & Tackle
Rex, 4 mile of the Rock Tavern on Big Birch Lake, 4 miles west of Upsala (320-285-2405)
Big Birch and Cedar producing a lot of walleyes. Limits of huge sunfish and crappies on Big Birch. Tube jig/crappie minnow best. On Cedar Lake by Upsala, nice walleyes being caught in 30 feet during the day, 15 feet at night. Best time on Cedar is 9 pm until 2 am. Good panfish bite, sunnies and crappies, on Long Lake by Hub Supper Club. Big Swan producing big sunnies, crappies, and big pike. Good catfish bite reported on the Mississippi River. Anglers are using sucker minnows and crawlers. Muskies hitting on Buckhead (Buckhorn). Topwater lures and big sucker minnows working well. For up to the minute reports, call or stop in!

HACKENSACK 8-14-10
Swanson's Bait & Tackle - www.swansonsbait.com
Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack (218-675-6176)

The water temps continue to climb, hot days with no wind have the water temps around 80 degrees on most lakes. The Bass, Northerns, and Panfish do not mind. The Muskies love it. Bass and Northerns are hitting artificial lures such as Rapala Shad Raps in the 20 foot depths. Also working live bait or plastics worms along weed edges and breaks has produced good activity. The panfish are holding in the cabbage beds and also on the bottom in deep water. To target the deep ater sunfish use a light live bait set-up and a small piece of a nightcrawler. May also catch a Walleye doing that. For the fish in the cabbage beds a 1/16oz jig tipped with a crappie minnow or twister tail has been working very well. Walleye action has been pretty slow, with the warm water and no wind this week that is not a surprise. Muskies continue to go strong, it is their time of the year. Look on shallow rock piles during the day for muskies that are sunning themselves.

8-2-10 - There are big fish anglers that wait all year for this report...the Muskies are going. There continues to be good reports of Muskie action this week. Good numbers of fish being caught and numerous follows. Natural color Bucktails have been producing fish as well as the Musky Innovations Bull Dog lures. The water temps are still in the mid to upper 70's on most lakes. These warm temps are keeping the Walleyes deep and scattered on most lakes, do not be afraid to fish depths to 40 feet or more looking for Walleyes during the day. Once the sun sets look in the shallower water along rocky shorelines for feeding Walleyes. Leech Lake Walleyes are keying on the rocks and weeds. The north end of Walker Bay has been producing Walleyes as it is getting dark on Slip Bobbers with a leech or minnow. During the day, look to the mid-lake rock structure and the deeper water around them with a nightcrawler. Bass and Northerns are still very active in the warm water. Bass are covering a lot of water this time of the year, you will find them in shallow pads or along deeper water weed edges and drop-offs. I have also caught Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth in 30+ feet of water Walleye fishing in the past few weeks. I prefer to fish with plastic worms along the weed edges and drop-offs this time of the year, Berkley Powerbait Hand Poured Series of Worms work well, they have a slow, finese action that works well along the breaks. Northerns are hungry as always, lurking in the weeds waiting for an easy meal. Trolling is a great way to cover water and find active fish. Start in 14-20 feet of water pulling a size 7 or 8 Rapala Shad Rap. If your lure is hitting weeds, either move out to a deeper water until you are not hitting weeds or reel in some line. For the most part, a Shad Rap will run its deepest with 100 feet of line out, the more or less line the shallower it will run. Throwing spinnerbaits through the cabbage beds is another great way to target Pike this time of the year, you can alos pick up Bass and an occasional Walleye this way.

KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN 8-30-10
- Gateway Store kabfishingreport.com - gatewaygeneral.com
Phil & Ellen Hart, US Hwy 53 & Co Rd 122, 30 miles south of Int'l Falls-Canadian border (218-875-2121)
Well here we are in hot summer again, at least till mid-week. We as anglers complain if it’s hot, complain if it’s cold, but if the fish are hitting, funny nobody complains. Yes, anglers are complaining, the walleye bite has slowed up, they are schooling up in deep waters and feeding at times at 28-32’. Minnows still the top bait choice and crankbaits are providing surprising results. Jig and minnow, or a slip sinker rig with minnow moving in and around 30’ getting action, especially if deep water is adjacent. East Kabetogama and Namakan have great structure for fishing this time of year. Northern pike, sizeable pike hitting buzz baits, crankbaits, deep weed edges mid-day, top water baits in the early a.m. over weed tops. Smallmouth being readily caught on the shorelines, rock and gravel bottom provide their best habitat. Fall is closing in, but we still have some summer left in us.

8-25-10 - Wind and warmth describes this past week. Strong winds kept anglers at bay in the beginning of the week, and then summer returned to what’s been normal, 75 – 85 degrees daytime with mild winds. Walleyes are somewhat scattered, with some shallow bite; however, the successful anglers are targeting 30’ with deeper water adjacent. It’s true there are fish being caught in 35-45’ depths, but the depth and warm water leads to a very high mortality for a lot of fish you can’t keep. Live bait, primarily minnows is the stand out bait choice, rainbows are by far a good choice for this time of year, active and colorful. Temper your minnows when introducing them to lake water. Jig and minnow, or slip sinker rig with live bait used along reef edges or structured shorelines will produce. Presently the East half of Kabetogama into Namakan has been the most consistent waters. Namakan or East Kabetogama has water temperatures 3-5 degrees cooler than West Kabetogama which must be a significant factor. Northern pike, including many trophy size, being caught with some regularity, again fish over weed tops or deep week edges. Smallmouth after crayfish and perch minnows, find them on the shorelines and shallow weed edges. This week looks again like great summer weather prior to the inevitable coming of fall. Walleyes and its counterparts will now or soon be foraging feverishly for food to aid them through the winter. Anglers should look for a 30’ deep or thereabouts food shelf adjacent to deeper water. Structures like Martin Islands, Cuculus, Green and Chase Island are some examples. Namakan basin offers many places which ideally fill the description. Nice time of year for a pre-fall boat ride and a fishing adventure.

8-16-10 - Another “WOW” factor week, warm summer weather with light winds, great for enjoyment with the exception of die hard anglers. Walleyes hanging tight in their 30’+ locations, frustrating anglers with their elusive behavior. Big pike taking on artificial baits and mid-depth crankbaits. Smallmouth responding to crank-baits and scented plastics on shorelines. Best success for walleye anglers will be reefs and rock-piles, hit the reef edges and fast drop-offs. Slip sinker rigs or jig and minnow are now the best offering. Areas kickin’ out fish last week, Center Reef, Martin Islands, Cuculus on down into Namakan. Northern pike report same as last week, over weed tops or outside the weed edges. Mud Bay, Daily Bay, Nebraska Bay should keep you busy. Smallmouth on most shorelines, especially on rip-rap shores or up against rock faces. Spinner-baits working, along with X-Raps. It’s a good time of year to troll crank-baits, depths from 15’-30’ should be covered, expect hits from walleye, pike and saugers. For Kabetogama, this has been a great year for Perch, lots of jumbos being caught by walleye anglers. Cool weather forecast for this week, change up your tactics till you find success.

8-10-10 - Summer continues to amaze us Northerners. Pleasant, warm days and now cool nights, living is easy up here. Anglers are beginning to figure out where the walleyes are hanging out as well as how to catch them. The best depth for walleyes is again at that 30’ depth mark. Folks using jig and minnow, slip sinker rigs and artificial all have that in common. Reef edges and shoreline structures adjacent to deep water provide the best ingredients for anglers success. The Eastern half of Kabetogama favors walleyes, locations around the Martin Islands, Cuculus on down to Green and Larkin Islands have a little cooler water then the West end of the lake where water temps are in the high 70’s mid-day. Northern pike still hunting for bait and remain catchable along week edges or over weed tops. Try Lost Bay, Nebraska Bay and Blind Ash Bay for some action. Smallies inhaling artificial, work the shorelines with spinnerbaits, crayfish and plastics, sub-surface presentations should work well. Folks – fishin’ ain’t bad, the water’s fine and the air is crisp and clean – come join us!

LAKE OF THE WOODS 8-30-10
- Lake of the Woods Area Tourism Bureau - www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Jenna, near Junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette, (1-800-382-FISH)

As we go into our work week we are quickly approaching the 1st of September, where has the summer gone?!? With summer coming to an end and fall approaching, we like to draw attention to ‘what else’ Lake of the Woods has to offer. With many gorgeous wilderness drives the fall foliage is a must see in Lake of the Woods and don’t forget hunting season is just around the corner!

Walleye fishing has still been doing well for those who know where to go and what to use! The past month or so it seemed you could drop a line anywhere and bring home your limit, now it’s back to the normal ‘challenge’ of finding the right depths, location, and presentation. So grab your favorite Lake of the Woods Guide before hitting the water or try these tips for walleye fishing:

8-9-10 - The weather report is telling us the warm temperatures are going to keep on coming here in Lake of the Woods. There is a chance of rain showing up later this week, but nothing seems to be stopping the continuous walleye bite we’ve had this summer! Keep in mind the legendary “Emerald Shiner Run” is just a short 6-7 weeks away! Typically occurring in the later parts of Sept, the “shiner run” brings in thousands of hungry walleye just waiting to bite!

It’s August ladies and gentleman, and up here on Lake of the Woods that means its trophy walleye month! Fishing in depths of 31-34 feet of water either down rigging or drifting with spinners has been successful. Worms, minnows, or leeches are being used as bait recently.

The Northwest Angle hosted its annual Blueberry Festival this weekend and a good time was had by all! And to top it off, the fishing was fantastic! 12-20 feet of water using a brightly colored jig tipped with a minnow or a hammered gold spinner tipped with a minnow.

The saying goes, “all good things must come to an end” but we haven’t seen an end to the great fishing this summer nor do we plan to. Make your Lake of the Woods vacation plans soon!

We all know how beautiful Lake of the Woods truly is; now we’re asking you to help us show it! With entering your photo you are given the chance to appear in the Lake of the Woods Get Away Guide and to appear in Lake of the Woods ads nationwide. ENTER TODAY for a shot at being one of the faces of Lake of the Woods, The Walleye Capital of the World! Email your photos to info@lakeofthewoodsmn.com !!

For more information see our website at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com or call for a free Getaway Guide at 1-800-382-FISH (3474)

LAKE BENTON 8-4-10
- Veire's Mini-Mart - Visit our Facebook Page
Dave, 117 E Benton St, corner of Hwy 75 and 14 (507-368-4204)
Lake Benton producing some walleyes trolling in 7 feet of water with a #5 or #7 shallow rap. Anglers are long-lining, calm weather. Pike mixed in. Other area lakes have been slow, Lake Benton will be your best bet for some action.

LEECH LAKE 8-30-10
- Anderson's Resorts - www.andersonsleech-lake.com
Tim, (1-800-516-0077) (1-800-516-0077)
Fishing on Leech Lake is great. Walleyes are biting on shadraps chartreuse color, 8 to 10 feet, reefs and bars on main lake. Walker bay, slip bobbers and leeches going good. Pike are going good on sucker chubs and big bobbers. If you do not have the will to sit and wait them out, bucktails in the black/ gold are the ticket. Muskies, I do not know what has kicked them into biting moad but people are having a blast. Double cowgirls black with gold spinners and jackpots are working the best. Come enjoy the fall with us on Leech Lake!

METRO AREA EAST 8-4-10
- Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle - www.blueribbonbait.com
Oakdale, Josh, (651-777-2421)
Walleyes are being caught on the St Croix, try trolling Rapalas, nightcrawlers and spinners in deeper water, 30 feet. Smallmouth bass hitting there too, casting rocks in shallow water. For muskies, Bald Eagle and White Bear Lake are your best options. Peltier producing panfish on worms and hair jigs. Channel catfish hitting on the Mississippi and on Beaver Lake.

8-2-10 - Fishing on Mille Lacs is still going great guns. The mud flats pulling three way spinners and lead core line on top of the mud flats using Salmo hornets. The night fishing bite in the rocks is doing well. Try the edge of the mud flats at night with a lighted bobber, jig head and leeches. The bass are still biting in the deeper rock piles in 9-13 feet of water. Up to minute reports call Chris Kuduk at 320-630-1761.

MILLE LACS 8-30-10
- Jeff Hanson's Guide Service - www.hansonguideservice.com (763-477-8553) McQuoid's Inn/Lindy Tackle Fishing Report

Late August has continued to be great. There have been occassional slow days here and there, however most days have been really good. This past week has been excellent with about 20-30 fish a day. We are still trolling leadcore and crankbaits out in the basin, off of structure in the 30-32' depths. About 1 out of 2 to 1 out of 3 fish have been keepers with a lot of nice 19 inchers mixed in. We had a 28.5 incher on Saturday that was pushing 9lbs.!

Some of the spots are close (only 1/4 to 1/2 mile) to structure and other areas are miles from structure. Fish are biting pretty much all day depending on weather. The fish I have been cleaning are full of young of the year perch, which is normal for this time of the year. You can see these "clouds" of small perch on the graph in the areas we are fishing.

8-4-10 - The deep basin areas have been producing fish for us all over the lake. Off the gravel, off the mud flats, off shoreline transition areas and even out in the middle of nowhere. We've been using leadcore with Shad Raps and Lindy Shadlings. A lot of these are bigger 21-27" fish with some keepers mixed in. We've also been getting a lot of keepers 15-20" in mid-range depth rocks using slip bobbers and leeches. A little wind has helped the bite in both areas but we are getting fish even on the calm days.

LAKE MINNETONKA 8-4-10
- Wayzata Bait & Tackle
Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227)
Sunnies scattered from shore to 20 feet of water. Waxworms, small leeches on ice flies best. Bass biting artificials in the milfoil, use heavy jigs. Anglers are running in clean water, 18-20 feet, with floaters and leeches. Try the bigger bays with the cooler water. Pike hitting spinnerbaits and small suckers, trolling on the edge of the outside weedline. An occassional walleye biting in 26-28 feet of water using live bait rigs, crawlers.

MISSISSIPPI - ST. CROIX 8-3-10
- Turk Gierke, Croixsippi Guide Service www.croixsippi.com (1-800-929-1801)
Despite the heat and humidity the walleye and sauger bite is pretty good. The fish are always cool and swimming in their pool so what do they care? It is us anglers above the surface sweating our shirts off! When I mentioned the fish are biting, I refer to an anglers bait or lure, because fish always feed in the summer and feed heavy they do. In the river their main forage base is shad. Finding the shad bait balls on the graph is paramount to catching eyes and saugs. Top fishing presentation/technique summary: Troll well tuned cranks in 18 to 29 feet of water. Rapala tail dancers, shad raps and RS, Storm Thundersticks – colors to use: , flash perch, crawfish, bleeding olive, chartreuse, and blue combinations. Rigging crawlers in the same depth with ½ to 1 ounce weights at .5 to .7mph. Key is finding bait balls on graph. Trip story: Yesterday I guided Cay Hellervik and her grandson Malcolm Martin, he was in town from California. My plan was to troll Rapalas until we found fish and then rig them up. The trip started out well with Malcolm hooking nice fish on the second pass in a warm up spot I like to fish to get guests used to trolling, it is an area with nice clean sand bottom and no weeds. This fishing rod pumped like a sheepshead but dug down like a cat, he had a tough time reeling it in. We were all pleased to see a 19” walleye come to the net. We went through the warm up spot two more times with nothing tugging and then moved. It must have been the salads or the fact that this group was the first to wear my lucky type I lifejackets blaze orange and all, but either way the fish were snapping. First trolling pass through the next spot, Malcolm hooked a sauger just too short to keep. The States of MN and WI give the saugers no rights, but I make them be 14 inches to keep (fyi- eyes must be 15inches minimum and I do a voluntary release over 20 inches). Then we doubled up on keeper walleye and saugers or combinations of saugers and walleye too short to keep for an hour straight. Really fun stuff with synchronized hooksets as Malcolm would say -got one!- and then so would Cay. Cay would later put the rod down, and just shoot pics of him enjoying catching fish. The trolling died down as the baitfish left the spot, and I wanted to switch gears and crawler fish with heavy split shots. We did this for the last part of the trip and caught sheeps and saugers. It was a great trip in the middle of the afternoon in hot July. Thank-you. More trips in the heat went well this week, even on Tuesday when it was equatorial Africa hot and humid, Nick and Jeff Milleson hooked sauger and walleye, plus cats. That day they brought in 2 walleye, 6 saugers, 4 large crappies, and 6 good sunfish. Jeff had on another big cat from the same spot Tim Carter had caught his 35 inch channel cat. There is a lot going on the St. Croix River from saugers to catfish to muskie (even though I have not been able to fish them much with booked walleye trips, I know were those big toothy suckers are! ha.) Have fun enjoy the summer because in a blink its going to be September.

WABASHA 8-4-10
- River Valley Outfitters, Lake Pepin, Mississippi River, 1023 Hiawatha Dr W, Wabasha, MN (651-565-2326) See our Facebook page!
River levels are back to normal. Walleyes are being caught on the wingdams using leeches, willow cats and crawlers. Northern pike, Small and largemouth bass are plentiful near the weedbeds and rock structures. Perch and sunfish are being caught near any rocks or downfalls in about 10 - 12 feet of water. Striped bass are boiling up in Lake Pepin and above many of the wingdams in the river.

WACONIA 8-10-10
- Mase's In Towne Marine - www.intownemarina.com
Cindy, corner of Lake and Elm (952-442-2096)

The last week has brought nothing but hot and muggy weather to Lake Waconia. The water is getting extremely warm, perfect for the recreational boaters! On Monday the water hit temps into the low 90s, according to Jim & Cindy Mase that is the warmest in the last 3o years!

Last Wednesday marked our annual In Towne Marina Employee Fishing Classic. The target species this year was the bass. Jim & Jimmy, Ben and Travis, and Kyle and Eric hit the water and a few hours later the results were in. Everyone stayed shallow and fished the slop and thick weeds. There were quite a few tiny ones but also a lot of 1 to 3 pounders caught and a few nice ones that were missed. When it was all said and done Ben & Travis took the 2010 honors. We enjoyed dinner together after cash awards were given to all!

The fishing has been slowing down but the fish are definitely out there and people are still catching them. The best two species again are your bass and sunfish.

The bass have been biting both shallow and deep. Look to the slop for some nice bass during the mid day heat. The best approach in this situation is to use scum frogs, a moss mouse or un-weighted bass assassins. You can also look to deep water with texas rigged worms on the weed edges in 10-15 feet.

The sunfish are still hanging out on the reefs in 6-15 feet. The most productive reefs have been Kegs and North. A slip bobber, small jig and wax worm have been working the best. If you do not catch fish right away keep changing depths until you find the sunnies.

The walleye bite has slowed down quite a bit in the last weeks with the extreme hot weather. Look deep during the low light periods around 20 feet with a lindy or spinner rigged with a leech or crawler. Some of the better areas to try have been Kegs and Reds reef. With the water temps in the 90's please still refrain from fishing muskies, it is very important to help maintain this great resource!

WATERVILLE AREA 8-3-10
- Axel's Tackle Box - www.axelstacklebox.blogspot.com
Axel, 101 North Hwy 13, next to Casey's (507-362-4444)
Sunnies and crappies are doing well on Lake Mazaska, as well is the walleye bite. Lake Elysian giving up many, many nice northerns using mainly spoons and spoon plugs. Lake Francis still has a nice bite going on for your panfish in 7 to 10 feet of water.

WINNIBIGOSHISH 8-31-10
- Walleye Visions - www.mnfishingconnections.com
Tom Neustrom, 21622 Airport Rd, Grand Rapids, tom@mnfishingconnections.com, (218-327-2312)
The heat continues to cook the upper Midwest and that includes Big Winnie. Discounting the warmer than normal temperatures the walleye fishing continues to be pretty decent. The biggest draw back has been the winds that have blown out of the south for 4-5 days at 15-30 mph daily. The International Aim Walleye Championship is here and some of the finest walleye anglers in North America will compete for the 2010 Angler Insight Marketing Championship(AIM) on September 1,2, and 3rd with the exciting weigh-ins each day at 4:00 P.M..Al Lindner and several other notable celebrities and tackle company representatives will be on hand to watch the excitement and be available for questions. Last year's championship drew big crowds to witness the weigh-ins and the fervor should continue this year. The CPR(catch, photo, and release) concept adopted by AIM has caught on to several other walleye tournament circuits throughout the country and will insure the fisheries will be alive and maintained with little or no damage. Come join the festivities or call the Gosh Dam Place at 218-246-8202 for further information.

8-25-10 - The warm weather hasn't changed the conditions much, but the walleye fishing has been still pretty darn good on Big Winnie. Many lakes in the area have been experiencing tough conditions and fish, but Big Winnie has been pretty consistent all season. Spinners and half crawlers, leeches and minnows have been excellent choices. Rigs and crawlers and leeches have also been good and the main bars have also been producing walleyes in depths of 16-18 feet. Cutfoot as well has been producing walleyes but more on the inconsistent bite rather then everyday production. Crappies and bluegills are also starting to show themselves and will be more aggressive as time goes on. Northern Pike have also been okay and there have been several pike to 10 pounds taken this last two weeks. With the hot weather of late, muskies have also bee active and there have been fish caught and seen with regularity. Cooler weather is around the corner and Fall fishing comes with it. Remember the AIM Walleye Championship is coming to Lake Winnie September 2,3,and 4 hosted at the Gosh Dam Place each evening. Come join in the festivities and support some of the finest walleye professionals in the country.

8-9-10 - Someone turn down the heat!! Water temperatures have hit near 80 degree this past weekend, but the walleye bite has been excellent this entire last week. As mentioned previous the oxygen levels out deep are depleting and the walleyes and other game fish have moved shallow. We caught lots of walleyes this past weekend in water as shallow as 3-4 feet as long as the wind blew and the sky was cloudy. A sixteenth ounce Northland Fireball Jig and chub, an eighth ounce bullet sinker and rig with a crawler were both good choices. Several anglers are also running #5 Shad Raps and #7 Taildancers trolled at 2.5-3.2 mph and doing a great job as well. There are several nice northern pike being taken as well with several fish in the 4-8 pound category being caught. Crappies have started to bite on the weedlines in Cutfoot early and late in the day. Little Cutfoot has produced some nice bluegills this past week and there have been reports of a few fish over 10 inches. We need a little cool down, but right now the fishing is pretty darn good considering these are supposed to be "Dog Days" and the fishing is usually a bit slower. Get out and enjoy these last weeks of summer.