State fishing report

Last update: May 10, 2008 - 7:30 PM

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Alexandria: The weather didn't prevent some anglers from having success. By midafternoon, the biggest walleye reported at Christopherson's Bait and Tackle was an 8-pound, 15-ounce, 31 1/2-incher.

Chisago City area: Overall fishing was good in the area, according to Frankies Bait. Chisago, North Center and South Center were producing walleyes in 3-12 feet of water in the morning and 16-18 feet in the afternoon. Green Lake yielded one walleye weighing just over 9 pounds.

Duluth: Fishing was generally slow, but Fisherman's Corner reported that anglers were catching walleyes in the St. Louis River.

East metro: Walleye fishing was slow, according to Hansen's Little Bear Bait, but nice-sized crappies were biting on White Bear Lake.

Ely: The bigger, deeper lakes in the area were still ice-covered, but there was enough open water that some anglers were catching their limits. According to Skube's Bait, Basswood Lake in the BWCA and Farm, Garden and White Iron Lakes were producing.

Lake Minnetonka: The anglers who went out early Saturday morning had success in the channel areas. The successful bait was a jig/minnow combination. Wayzata Bait reported that some anglers caught their limit of six. Two 28-inchers were caught and released. The crappie bite has been good for two weeks.

Lake of the Woods: It was a slow opener because of the cold, damp weather. After snow showers in the morning, it was only 37 with light rain at midafternoon. But the Rainy River is open for all boats and the lake is open past Pine Island so some anglers were able to get a few bites by late morning.

Lake Vermilion: Most of the lake is open. According to Joe Kruchowski of Northwoods Bait & Tackle, it was slower than last year, but the lake did produce a couple of 23-inch walleyes that were released because of a slot length limit. Another angler caught a 19-pound northern.

Leech Lake: According to Reed's Sporting Goods, Leech Lake was about two-thirds open but chunks of ice were causing access problems. One lake 5 miles south of Walker was producing limits of crappies.

Mankato: The weather was nice until rain started about midday. According to the Bobber Shop, success was spotty. Some anglers were getting their limit, but the fish were small.

Mille Lacs: Success was spotty, but some anglers were having success in shallow water (6-10 feet). According to Johnson's Portside, a few 22-24-inch walleyes had been caught. Crappies were biting in the bays.

Nisswa/Brainerd area: Those anglers who had success caught their fish early Saturday morning. According to the Nisswa Guides League, there were reports of 22-24-inch walleyes.

Red Wing: The level of the Mississippi River has been too high, but the river crested near Red Wing on Friday, so the fishing should improve. According to 4-Season Bait, some anglers are having success trolling near the head of Lake Pepin.