It’s not a very well kept secret anymore! The walleye bite on Albert Lea Lake has been good as of late and judging by the number of boats and people fishing there are plenty of fish being caught. You can look out on the lake almost any time of day or night and see boats; this is the sign that fishing is good. I know of a few fishermen that have caught their limit of nice walleye and I did hear of one person that caught a 30-incher, which I hope, was released. A fish that size should be considered either a “wall hanger” or an egg factory because it won’t be very good eating.

That’s only my opinion and as long as it’s a legal fish it’s yours to do with as you wish. That’s why I usually have a camera handy when fishing because you just never know when you might catch that “lunker.” I always get a good feeling whenever I catch a big fish and snap a couple of pictures and release it to fight again another day.

The sunfish have been biting on Fountain Lake and there are some decent ones being caught. One thing about having a few nice days it brings out the fishermen and the fish seem to be cooperating. I dined on some walleye and sunfish the other night and mmm-mmm-mmm it was mighty tasty!

Last week we spent a few days in the North Country at our cabin. Most of the time was spent watching storm front after storm front pass through but we still managed to get in a little fishing. The mosquitoes and ticks were out in force but we managed to survive both the bugs and the weather.

We fished a few different lakes and on Saturday the weather was almost perfect so we headed to Spider (of course) to do a little fishing and enjoy the beauty of the lake. We spotted numerous eagles and there were deer grazing along the shore that didn’t seem to mind being watched from a distance by a group of fishermen. When we first spotted them there were two deer and a Great Blue Heron was standing right in front of one of them as if they were talking about the day over morning coffee.

A little later there were three deer in a different area and as we approached one turned and bounded into the woods but the other two paid little attention and kept right on munching on the foliage along the shoreline. There is always something special about seeing these animals and birds in the wild; it shows that there is still a lot of undeveloped wilderness to enjoy.

While we were on Spider a boat pulled up and at first I didn’t recognize them but when they got closer I saw that it was Andy and Kelli Nelson from Albert Lea. It was good to see them; we talked about the fishing and about how in all the years they have been coming to Spider we have never ran into each other. It’s funny how that works sometimes.

Here are a few fishing reports from around the state:

FAIRMONT — Crappies continue to be found in shallow water at Hall Lake, Budd Lake, and George Lake. Walleye action has slowed down some, but bass are hitting on Budd and northern pike are inhaling sucker minnows on the weedlines of East Chain Lake. Work the docks of Lake Sissiton for sunfish.

FARIBAULT — Sunfish are being found on the shallow sand areas of Hunts Lake, Shields Lake, and Lake Mazaska. Look for crappies on the shorelines and docks of Mazaska. Spoons are triggering northern pike at Circle Lake and Shields Lake. The shallow cover on Cedar Lake and Roberds Lake is producing bass, while crankbaits and minnows remain a viable option for walleyes on the bars and the weedlines of French Lake.

MANKATO — There’s a strong shallow water crappie bite on Madison Lake. Baker’s Bay and Mud Bay on Lake Washington, and Lake Francis also are giving up panfish in shallow water. Lakes Washington and Madison are safe bets for walleyes in 14 to 18 feet, as are Lura Lake and Lake Hanska in shallower water. Bass and northern pike action has picked up on all lakes.

WATERVILLE — Blue and white Shad Raps are turning walleyes on Lake Sakatah in less than 10 feet. Northern pike and sunfish also can be had in the shallows of Sakatah. Slow-trolling leeches has produced walleyes on Lake Tetonka in 20 feet. Lake Francis is the best option for crappies in shallow water.

GRAND RAPIDS — Walleyes are being caught on the shorelines of Winnie and in front of Federal Dam using leeches and jigging shiner minnows. Also some muskie anglers have found success casting in the shallows. Bass action was reported along shorelines of the hot pond at the Minnesota Power Plant and Lake Pokegama using spinner baits. Anglers are catching walleyes on Bass Lake using jigs and minnows. Panfish are hitting wax worms and small leeches and anglers are catching northerns by trolling sucker minnows.

LAKE VERMILION — When the wind subsides the walleye bite has been excellent, reports say. Leeches and crank baits are working. Windswept shores and points are holding active fish in 14-22 feet. Muskie action has been picking up, with most fish coming from weedy bays and hitting on hair baits and medium-sized twitch baits. Northerns and sunfish have been biting in the weedy, soft-bottom bays.

RAINY LAKE — Anglers are catching walleyes in 6-16 feet using minnows on Lindy rigs; fish are starting to hit leeches, too. Smallmouth bass are starting to turn on fake baits such as Gulp and Rapalas.

Until next time, take a little time to enjoy the outdoors — good luck, play safe and good “fishin’.”

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