State fishing report

Detroit Lakes area: Walleyes are taking jigs and shiners at about 12 feet of water on lakes such as Melissa, Pelican and Little Pelican. Northern and bass action has been productive on most area lakes at about 8 feet. Panfish are at shallower depths near weed lines.

Ely area: The fluctuating weather has hampered anglers a bit, but walleyes can be caught at shallower depths during the evening hours using rainbow chub or shiner minnows. Northerns are taking sucker minnows near weed lines or by casting spinner baits. Bass action is starting to pick up as well.

Gull Lake and Brainerd Lakes area: On Gull Lake, anglers are reeling in walleyes at about 8-14 feet using spottail shiners or leeches. On lakes such as Round and North Long walleyes are about 10-17 and 8-14 feet, respectively. Northerns are being caught using spinner or plastic baits at 8-14 feet and crappies are at 10-12 feet using crappie minnows near rice beds or bull rushes.

Lake Waconia: Anglers are catching nice-sized walleyes during the evening or early morning at about 4-8 feet and 13-18 feet during late morning or daytime hours using a jig or slip bobber with leeches or fathead minnows. Bass action has been surprisingly good and crappies can be caught at about 5-12 feet using crappie minnows.

Rainy Lake: Walleyes are being caught at about 20-25 feet near rocky shorelines and islands or over submerged reefs. Anglers are casting crankbaits along the south shore for good smallmouth bass and northern action. On the Rainy River, walleyes are hitting on jigs and minnows at about 15 feet along the edges of the current.

Willmar area: Diamond, Willmar and Foot Lakes have been the lakes of choice for walleye action during the evening or early morning hours at shallower depths. The walleye bite should be improving with warmer weather expected soon. Crappies can be caught on lakes such as Andrew, Florida, and Norway.