Fishing Report for 8-11-20

Summer fishing patterns are holding strong for many species of fish in the Willmar Lakes Area. As water temperatures drop, the bite should heat up. For now, concentrate on the weedlines to find the most active daytime walleye. Anglers utilizing crank baits or jigs with crawlers in 10-15 feet of water are seeing the most action. Many walleye are also being caught at night while trolling. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has been excellent on many area lakes in the 15-20 foot depths. Northern pike remain fairly deep, responding to slowly-rolled big spoons worked at slower speeds, as well as deep-diving muskie baits trolled a little bit faster. Many anglers are finding crappie suspended out over deep water, roughly 15-20 feet below the surface. Good electronics are key to finding these scattered and suspended fish. Crappie minnows under a bobber have been very effective. Sunfish continue to be pulled from the weed beds and on the weedlines using small jigs tipped with a wax worm or small angle worm. The most productive lakes this past week were Big Kandiyohi, Calhoun, Foot, Ringo, Nest, and Eagle.