State fishing report

Battle Lake: Walleye action has been better than normal on West Battle Lake. Most anglers are fishing drop-offs at 15-20 feet during the day and at 10-15 feet in the evenings using leeches. Anglers are catching some walleyes on the west side of Otter Tail Lake, using sucker minnows or jumbo leeches. Rush and Silver lakes also are producing walleyes. West Battle, Ottert Til, South Turtle and East Battle lakes are producing northerns at 12-20 feet on big sucker minnows.

Chisago City area: Most anglers are heading out on Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes for productive walleye and panfish action. Walleyes are at 18-20 feet during the day and 8-12 during the evening; find them where there's a transition from sand to a silky bottom, and use fatheads or small shiner minnows. Panfish are hitting on panfish leeches at 8-12 feet under slip bobbers. Sunrise Lake has been the best for northern action, with suckers or shiners under bobbers.

Lake Mille Lacs: For walleyes, anglers are heading out to flats such as 9-mile, 7-mile, Greg's and the 4-mile gravel area and fishing at 20-30 feet using Lindy rigs or spinners with leeches. Garrison reef and the Myr Mar reef also are producing good walleye action. Smallmouth bass are being caught near rock beds. Northerns are hitting on big minnows at shallower depths on smaller bays.

Lake Vermilion: Joe Kruchowski of Northwoods Bait and Tackle said walleyes are scattered because of a recent mayfly hatch, but some anglers are catching them by vertically jigging or slip bobber fishing at 15-20 feet using leeches. Bluegill and bass action is excellent on weed lines near their spawning beds. Several anglers have caught northerns in the 10- to 20-pound range recently using spinners on weed lines or weedy points.

Leech Lake: Walleyes are hitting minnows and leeches on 12- to 28-foot breaks on Walker Bay. When winds are favorable, other good spots to try are Two Points, Second Duck Point, Little Hardwood and the Goose Island areas. Anglers are using crankbaits during the evenings at 8-12 feet for walleyes off Pine Point.