BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Work the 8- to 12-foot weedlines for panfish on Cullen Lake, North Long Lake, Nisswa Lake, and Gull Lake. Walleyes are hitting leeches and nightcrawlers in 14 to 26 feet on Whitefish Lake and North Long. Bass and northern pike continue to hit on the 12- to 16-foot weedlines of most lakes.
CROSBY AREA
Although walleye reports continue to be slow, panfish are providing consistent action in 12 to 15 feet on Big Mahnomen Lake, Serpent Lake, and Little Rabbit Lake. Stream trout are being found suspended over deep water at Huntington Pit and Portsmouth Pit. Crankbaits and sucker minnows are turning northern pike on the 14-foot weedlines of Lower Mission Lake and Horseshoe Lake.
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LAKE MILLE LACS
Walleyes bit well throughout the lake this past week, but it's worth noting that the walleye season is now closed - from July 7-27 - and that only artificial baits may be used during this time period for other species as well. There is an exception made for sucker minnows greater than 8 inches in length for anglers targeting northern pike and muskies. Smallmouth bass are being caught on the reefs and rock points in 6 to 18 feet, with crankbaits or plastics. Look for northern pike on the weedlines in most bays, and a few muskies have been taken on the north-end sand via trolling and on the weedlines with bucktails and surface baits.
LEECH LAKE
The main-lake rocks continue to give up walleyes on nightcrawlers in 10 to 14 feet, but with a good wind, a jig and minnow will still produce fish on the shorelines and points. The humps and breaks in Walker Bay started giving up a few more walleyes as well. Look for muskies around the cabbage in Portage Bay and Steamboat Bay, while bass action has been best in the reeds around Minnesota Island.
HACKENSACK AREA
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Walleyes are being caught on leeches or nightcrawlers on Baby Lake in 18 to 22 feet, Woman Lake in 20 to 24 feet, and Pine Mountain Lake in 17 to 20 feet. The mid-depth rocks on Stoney Lake continue to produce smallmouth bass, and largemouth are being caught on the weedlines or slop on most lakes. The 10- to 14-foot cabbage on Birch Lake, Pleasant Lake, and Portage Lake continues to produce panfish.
LONGVILLE AREA
Hit the 6- to 10-foot boulders for smallmouth bass or the 14- to 22-foot humps for walleyes at Woman Lake. Big Boy Lake is producing some walleyes during the evening hours on crawlers in 10 to 14 feet, and Little Boy Lake remains a safe bet for walleyes in 16 to 22 feet. Toss bucktails or topwater baits on the weedlines of Little Boy and Lake Wabedo for muskies, while Big Boy, Lake Inguadona, and Mule Lake are giving up panfish along the established weed edges.
