Each time I visit the northern part of our great state I come back with an appreciation of our natural resources. This time was no exception.

My sister Judy and her husband Mike were with me this time and we were treated to picture perfect weather and an abundance of wildlife to observe. As a bonus, the fish were willing to cooperate enough for us to have a meal of delicious pike.

On each visit there are eagles and loons to be seen and lately I have spotted otters on two different lakes. On one occasion as we fished on one of my favorite little lakes I was telling Mike and Judy of this eagle that usually sits in this tree, almost as if to point out the good fishing spot. As we trolled through that area I spotted the eagle circling overhead and as we passed close to where he was I hooked onto a northern. Now this is truly a strange coincidence for me to catch that fish right after telling them of an eagle that seems to act as a guide. I commenced to catch quite a few more of those toothed fish and by the end of our time on the water I was starting to get the feeling that maybe there was something to it.

It just shows to me that every trip north seems to hold something different and interesting. Catching fish is nice but enjoying the outdoors is what it is really all about. I always say that the catching is just a bonus. This little lake we fished on our last day there is probably my favorite. Yeah, it has fish, but there are no cabins and no campers — only an access. Our family will come to the access and swim at the end of a hot summer’s day. Brian’s family brings organic soap and not only uses this clean little lake for swimming but also to bathe.

There are many small lakes such as this in the area and I’d sure like to try and fish as many as possible. Many times people will ask how far north it is and I always think to myself “just far enough.” If you turn left onto the highway from our easement road it’s three miles to a small town with a gas station, convenience store and a bar and if you turn right it’s 45 miles to the next town.

Over the years I’ve been asked from time to time when I’m going to Canada on a Canadian fishing trip. My reply is simple. There are over 10,000 lakes in Minnesota and I haven’t fished them all yet. You can think of that what you will but there is still a lot of wilderness in our great state that is just there to explore and experience.

On this particular trip, while driving up scenic Highway 38 north of Grand Rapids, we stopped at a wayside rest that was on the Lauratian Divide, which does just what it says, divides the state. The water on the south side of the divide flows south and the water on the north side flows north into Canada. Although I’ve driven past this many times I’ve never taken the time to stop and read all the information about this. It is truly an interesting place with a lot of information about the early days of Minnesota.

Mike and Judy were already talking about going again next year maybe more than once and for a few more days on each trip. This is what this area can do to you — it makes you want to come back and build a few more memories like we did this time.

Musky talk

The September meeting of Southern Crossroads Chapter 54 of Muskies Inc. will be Wednesday Sept. 9 at 7 p.m at the Eagles Club in Owatonna. Our program will be a “how to do it” one. Learn how to make your own bucktails, etc. Step-by-step instruction from veteran lure makers. Saturday, Sept. 26, will be our annual fall chapter outing on French Lake. Join us as we fish from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by social time at Hoys Resort. A $20 donation per boat entry fee before starting time, for those who want to be eligible for prize for biggest fish.

Our meetings are the second Wednesday of every month. They include informative speakers, door prizes, raffles, plus reports and updates.

Also conversation, and of course fish stories and what and where they are hitting. Visit our web sight at michapter54.com Visitors are always welcome. Musky hunters, if you want more lakes and improved musky fishing in southern Minnesota, bring a friend and check us out. Make your voice heard. You do not need to be a member to sit in our meeting.

A few statewide fishing reports:

ALEXANDRIA — Rigs and leeches or crankbaits are working best for walleyes during low-light periods on lakes Miltona, Le Homme Dieu, and Ida in 18 to 24 feet. The biggest bass are coming from 16 to 24 feet on most lakes and muskie anglers are raising fish with topwater baits on Miltona and Lobster Lake. Crappie action remains strong with FluFlu’s and minnows in 12 to 18 feet on Le Homme Dieu, Lake Geneva, Lake Carlos and Lake Darling.

BATTLE — Walleyes are biting best during the evening and after-dark hours on crankbaits in 12 to 15 feet on Otter Tail Lake, West Battle Lake, and Clitherall Lake. Sunfish remain active in 12 to 15 feet at Clitherall, West Battle, and South Turtle Lake. Northern pike and bass are an easy catch on the mid-depth weedlines of most lakes, while a few muskies remain active during low-light periods on West Battle. Crappies remain suspended over 15 to 20 feet on most lakes.

BRAINERD/NISSWA — Redtails or leeches are now producing the majority of walleyes. Look to Gull Lake in 20 to 34 feet, Pelican Lake in 25 to 38 feet, and North Long Lake in 20 to 24 feet. Panfish action remains strong in the weeds of Lake Hubert, Nisswa Lake, Roy Lake and Round Lake. Bass and northern pike are an easy catch on most lakes, but look for the bigger fish to be deep and most active early and late in the day.

ELY — You’ll find short smallmouth bass on the shorelines and bigger fish in 30 feet on Burntside Lake. Look for walleyes on Burntside in 20 to 22 feet. Walleyes also can be had in 25 feet on Basswood Lake and in 30 to 36 feet at Crooked Lake. Low Lake remains the best bluegill option in shallow water with lakes Shagawa and Birch producing northern pike in 10 feet.

FAIRMONT — Minnows are producing perch and crappies on Fox Lake in five to 10 feet. Look to Lake Sissiton in five to eight feet for bluegills and crappies. Hall Lake is producing an occasional walleye and hit Fox Lake during the evening hours with bucktails or topwater baits for muskies.

GRAND RAPIDS — Panfish action remains strong with Big Ball Club Lake producing perch and bluegills in eight to 10 feet. Spider Lake is kicking out crappies in 12 to 20 feet and lakes Pokegama and Graves are safe bets for ‘gills in 10 to 18 feet. Walleyes are hitting Rapalas at night in seven to 10 feet at Pokegama, Sugar, and Deer lakes. The best day bite has been with a jig and minnow in 12 feet at Sand Lake. Sucker minnows are triggering pike over 20 feet at Pokegama and Trout Lake, but muskie action has slowed. Look to Taylor Lake, Kramer Lake, and the Tioga Pit for consistent stream trout action.

LAKE OF THE WOODS — Trolling spinner rigs and nightcrawlers has produced good walleye and sauger catches in 25 to 30 feet of water on the southeast side of Garden Island and the northeast side of Little Oak Island. Along the south shore, Zippel Bay and Morris Point are safe bets for walleyes in 30 to 32 feet of water.

MANKATO — The deep holes and logjams of the Minnesota River are holding channel and flathead catfish. The weedlines of Lake Francis are safe bets for northern pike and bass seem to be hitting on the weedlines of most lakes. Consistent panfish action is reported in the narrows at Madison Lake and on the points of Lake Washington.

PARK RAPIDS — The weedlines of Potato Lake are producing good-sized crappies and you’ll hit walleyes here with minnows in 16 to 20 feet. Look to the 20-foot weedlines on Long Lake for walleyes and northern pike as well. Sunfish are being caught in 10 to 12 feet on the Crow Wing Chain and Fish Hook Lake.

Until next time keep fish’n and, as always, take a little time to enjoy our great Minnesota outdoors.