Where are the fish biting?

The walleye bite is somewhat slow right now because of the mayfly hatch. Bass, the other species of fish in the area, are making up for that slow bite.

Nice catches of northern and bass are being taken, as well as rainbow, brook trout, brown trout and lake trout, reported Tyson Cronberg, owner and operator of the Beaver House, an iconic tackle and bait shop located in downtown Grand Marias.

Fishing from shore, in front of the mouths of streams and rivers, is also going well, noted Tyson. Anglers are picking up nice catches of lake trout and occasionally coaster brook trout using spoons and spinners, he said.

Inland lakes are warming up and lake trout are found in deeper water. Check out Clearwater, Greenwood, Gunflint, and Saganaga Lakes for lake trout.

Some lures for bass include jigs, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and topwater lures. Sometimes, though, the best bait is a night crawler or leech or minnow on a single hook and a bobber.

Rainbows are being caught in Mink, Leo, and Trout Lake, just to name a few of the lakes that hold these beauties.

Brook trout are found in almost any stream along the North Shore. Use angleworms or nightcrawlers on small hooks with spinners. The orange meat of brook trout is a delicacy. Eat what you catch, and release back to the water what you don’t need to eat.

Stay safe out on the water. Wear your lifejacket and don’t forget to bring bug dope. Remember, even a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of working.