Fishing Report for 7-5-23

Summer fishing is heating up in the Willmar Lakes Area with anglers reporting active fish on a variety of lakes. Most fish have moved toward cooler, deeper waters so anglers fishing from a boat are having the most success. Those in search of walleye are finding them in the 15-25 foot depths on Eagle, Nest, Big Kandiyohi and Diamond lakes. Most success has come from using leeches or nightcrawlers on spinner rigs or lindy rigs during early morning and evening hours. Sunfish continue to be pulled from Lake Calhoun and northern pike have been eager to bite on Lake Florida on buzz baits and spinner baits. You’ll find bass and crappie in the weedlines around the 12-18 foot depths. Crappie have been most eager to bite during low light hours using small jigs and plastics as bass are responding best to crank baits, soft plastics, and nightcrawlers. Area lakes to check out include Nest, Florida, Eagle, Foot and Long.