Where are the fish biting?

Above: Jasper Matz, 9, from Deephaven, Minnesota caught this 10-pound, 31-inch king salmon on July 28 while fishing with Captain Darren Peck of Tofte Charters. Captain Peck said Jasper fought the fish from beginning to end all by himself.

Jon at Buck’s Hardware Hank says the lakers and salmon are hitting in the big lake. “Superior may never give up her dead, but it sure is giving up the lakers and salmon,” he said. “I hear some are trolling 20 feet in 40 feet of water. But I’m sure the charters are fishing all kinds of depths.”

Also, Jon said one might have a bit of luck casting from shore for some salmon at the mouths of rivers right now.

Tyson at the Beaver House reports that the northerns are biting well all over on surface lures. Smallmouth bass are hitting surface lures, Heddon Torpedos and Chug Bugs. Rainbow trout are biting on Mink, Trout, Birch, Leo and Kimball lakes.

In area streams the rainbows and brook trout are biting flies, worms and Beaver Flicks.

Walleyes are biting on Devil Track in the evenings on leeches, slip bobbers and Beaver Flicks. Also Elbow, Two Island, Crescent, Seagull and Sag lakes are producing walleyes.

On Lake Superior the bite is hot for salmon and lake trout. Salmon are biting in 100 feet of water down 70 feet or near the surface. Lake trout are being found in 200 feet of water down 40 feet. Reefers are moving in close to shore and back out. Water temps range from 49 degrees to 58 degrees.

Jasper’s brother, Beckett, 7, also had a very nice catch. He is holding a 5-pound lake trout.

Tim at Holiday Station Store says he has heard the lake trout and salmon are really biting — both next to shore and out deep on downriggers. Also, there is walleye action on Two Island and Elbow lakes.

The Buck’s Hardware Fisherman’s Picnic Big Fish Contest is under way. At press time, the leader board has the following entries:

The contest closes at 9:00 p.m. sharp on Saturday, August 6. Good luck!