State fishing report
Brainerd area: North Long and Whitefish lakes have been consistently producing fish, with both lakes yielding walleyes in 8 to 18 feet of water. Anglers have found success using a jig-and-minnow combination, spinner rigs and leeches under floats. Bass have been biting on nearly all area lakes.
Lake Kabetogama: Walleyes have been scattered at various depths and structures, but anglers have been having luck using leeches and nightcrawlers with a slip-sinker rig. The big lake on the Canadian border has been producing many large fish, with walleyes up to 27 inches, northern pike up to 42 inches and smallmouth bass up to 20 inches.
Lake Minnetonka area: Getting out early before most of the pleasure boaters emerge is key on the popular metro lake. Bass are taking plastic lures in 10 to 30 feet of water, crappies are being caught in the weeds at 18 feet, and northerns are biting sucker minnows at 16 to 18 feet. Muskies are following bucktails and topwater baits on Lake Independence.
Lake Winnibigoshish: The northwest section of the lake has produced the most fish recently. Walleyes are being landed using leeches and crawlers in 12 to 17 feet of water off Mallard Point, Raven's Point, Big Stoney Point and various sand bars. Pike are biting spoons and crankbaits along the weedlines, and good-sized perch are being taken in deeper water on the sand bars.
Park Rapids area: Long Lake is producing walleyes during the evening at 18 to 22 feet. Northern pike are taking sucker minnows at Fish Hook Lake at 14 feet, and bass are biting plastic baits in the deep weedlines in most lakes in the area. Big Mantrap Lake has had a nice evening crappie bite in weeds at 14 to 16 feet.
St. Croix River: Anglers are catching lots of fish on the river, but they have been on the smaller side. Live-bait fishing is the way the go, with crawlers and leeches. Smallmouth bass and walleyes are staying deep. Fishing for channel catfish and white bass has been slow.
