Minnesota fishing report

Alexandria area: Anglers are finding bass, northern pike and panfish on almost every lake in the region. Bass and northern pike are being found in the deep weed lines in 18 feet and the outside pencil reeds in 4 to 6 feet. The walleye bite has been a little less predictable but anglers on many lakes are reaching limits.

Baudette area: Lake of the Woods is producing excellent walleye and sauger fishing. Anglers are having success in 24 to 27 feet near Garden, Knight, Pine Island and Rocky Point. On the Rainy River, the sturgeon "keep one season" opened Sunday. A strong sturgeon population is reported on the river. At the Northwest Angle and islands area, walleye fishing has been excellent in 18 to 28 feet.

Detroit Lakes area: Anglers are finding walleyes on area lakes on the deep weed edges at the bars, points and shallow humps, especially in 24 to 26 feet. Fishing has been good on Big Detroit, Sallie, Melissa, Pelican and Big Cormorant lakes. Smallmouth bass are biting and anglers are finding crappies and sunfish near the weeds.

Lake Mille Lacs: The smallmouth bass bite has been fantastic on the lake, with anglers finding many large bass coming from the shallows and offshore rocks. The walleye bite also has been good. During a recent tournament, anglers reported some of the biggest total bag weights they had witnessed on the lake.

Red Wing area: The Mississippi and the St. Croix rivers continue to run very high, and high levels are expected to linger for the next week. Summer patterns are being observed with fish spreading out to search for baitfish pods. Most of the keeper walleye are being caught on live bait, especially at the windblown shorelines.

Winona area: Fishing on the Mississippi River has been difficult because the main channel is running fast and high. Most of the fishing has been occurring in the backwaters, where anglers are catching some nice walleye. Lake Winona is producing a nice crappie bite.