Our team of guides was once again throughout the Lakes are guiding this week from Leech Lake, Hackensack, Mille Lacs, and Cass Lake. Here are the reports for the week
Leech Lake
Fish are starting to get a little more active now this week, but feeding windows are still the key or actively moving around and picking off the active fish from the schools and moving on to the next one. In Walker Bay and on the West Side of the Lake, working windblow breaklines in 15-28 feet of water depending on the wind and day is best with a lindy rig and a crawler, leech, or chub. Slip bobbers are also a good way to target these fish when they are tightly schooled together. Fishing in the weeds with bobbers or jigs is also working to put some walleyes in the boat. Pay attention to flats that have had wind blowing for a few days on them, they can be sneaky good this time of year. On the Main lake, trolling crankbaits and spinners is the name of the game. Try using a #5 or #7 Shad Rap or Flicker Shad long lining in 12-18 feet of water along the Main lake Reefs or use Leadcore with small crankbaits in the Basin Areas of the lake or along long breaklines.
Muskies are starting to move more on the Main Lake Rocks and Weed beds. Large bucktails, top waters, and swim baits are all good lures to use this time of year.
Hackensack Area
Bass and pike are going strong on the weed edges in 12-18 feet of water. Drop shotting a plastic was awesome last week for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Smallies tending to hold near gravel and rock and largies more weed beds. Pike are being caught on swim baits or live bait rigs with a chub.
Mille Lacs
Spinners on the mud flats in 25-35 feet of water is definitely the best bet right now for walleyes or trolling leadcore along the edges of these flats with small crankbaits. Smallmouth bass are going on top waters on flat calm days, otherwise drop shots, ned rigs, or casting crankbaits near rock piles in 8-14 feet of water. Look for pike action in emergent cabbage beds and try casting larger swim baits to find these top of the line predators.
Cass Lake
Main Lake Cass has been tough at times when you get alot of such and calmer water. Casting to these fish is the best bet and using your electronics. Jigging raps, slip bobbers, and jigs are all working in 12-15 feet of water. Trolling crankbaits at night is producing alot of fish in these same areas.
