State fishing report

Lake Minnetonka: Anglers are enjoying the best walleye action during the evenings on the main part of the lake, near Big Island and in Smith Bay and Browns Bay in about 15-18 feet using leeches with jigs. Northern action has been spotty, but a few can be caught along weed edges or top of flats at about 6-12 feet. The muskie opener is this weekend and most anglers will be using smaller bucktails at shallow depths over the top of weed flats. Most anglers are enjoying solid crappie, bass and panfish action on the western side of the lake in Stubbs, North Arm, and Maxwell Bays.

Cook County area: Gunflint and Saganaga Lakes are producing some walleye and northern action using traditional live baits. Nice-sized lake trout also are being caught on Saganaga. Steelhead trout and brook trout can be caught on area rivers, casting with spinner baits or spoons.

Willmar area: The best walleye action has been on the area's smaller lakes such as Norway, Ringo, Long, Solomon, Big Kandiyohi and Lake Elizabeth. Northern action and pan fishing has been good on most area lakes. Walleye action on larger lakes such as Green, Eagle, Diamond, Andrew and Florida should improve with the warmer weather.

Rainy Lake and International Falls: Early season walleye fishing has been good on Rainy Lake and Rainy River. On the lake, the best walleye action has been near the mouths of bays, particularly shallower areas with muddy bottoms using crankbaits. Northerns are hitting near weed edges or mouths of bays. Smallmouth bass are being caught in 20-25 feet using crankbaits near shorelines with lots of structure. On the river, anglers are catching some walleyes downstream from areas with current such as below the dam at International Falls, below the rapids at Ranier and near the confluence of the Little Fork River.