Cook County News Herald

Where are the fish biting?




Captain Kelly Shepard of North Shore Outdoors Lake Superior Charters says there are lots of pink salmon around.

Lake trout action is still good on Lake Superior, he said. The trout are scattered anywhere from 80 to 120 feet. Shepard said downriggers rigged with yellow or red spoons are a good bet to lure a lake trout to bite.

Inland, Shepard said walleye fishing has picked up through the fall. He suggests using jigs and minnows and fishing in 12 to 16 feet of water. Lindy rigs and minnows are also a good bet to catch walleye, noted Shepard.

The water has not turned over as of yet, added Shepard.

Hungry Jack Lodge owner Forrest Parson reports smallmouth bass are being caught in good numbers in area lakes. Forrest suggests using artificial baits, leeches, and crawlers. Currently bass are lurking in the 16- to 19-inch range.

Anglers plying the lakes for walleye are also having good luck using leeches and slip bobbers. Best time to catch a walleye—or a stringer of walleyes—is to fish for them when it is getting dark.

Leo Lake is still a hot spot to catch a limit of rainbow trout. Use a slip sinker and crawler or troll with a spoon for best luck.

There are a few grouse around, noted Forrest, but hunters will have to have some patience and a strong work ethic to find them. Hunting will get better when the foliage falls to the ground, and partridge are much easier to see.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spring drumming counts were up 57 percent statewide, which means hunters should see more birds this year than in the recent past.

Grouse usually peak in numbers every 10 years, and the top end of the cycle appears close.



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