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Signs of summer is starting to wind down are apparent around town. High school sports teams started have resumed practice, family summer vacations are all wrapped up, and next week the Minnesota State Fair begins, where did the summer go?
As a community, we are blessed with an abundance of natural resources in the Bemidji area and as a guide, I’m fortunate to take folks out on the water fishing from all over the country.
One of my favorite families is the Boteler family from Millersville Maryland (near Baltimore) last week was my fourth year with them and they drive up every year to fish for two or three days.
They love the Bemidji area and love to fish, along with seeing various year-round wildlife. This year that included deer, bears, turkeys, loons and eagles, plus they caught plenty of fish.
Onto the fishing, Bass fishing remains excellent on area lakes and we’ve been catching good numbers and some big fish also. We do all catch and release on the bass and if you want a lot of pole bending you can’t beat it.
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The walleye bite has been a bit tougher especially on local lakes like Bemidji and Plantagenet but with patience, you’ll boat a few using live bait rigs with crawlers or leeches.
The closest lake with a decent walleye bite has been Cass Lake. Look to the flats in 8-10 feet and the 12-16 feet weeds. Leeches, crawlers, minnows, and jigging raps should get you some fish.
Red Lake is also producing walleyes in 6-8 feet pulling spinners with crawlers or minnows as is Winnie in 12-16 feet. Bigger bluegills are hitting on deep humps and you’ll still find crappies off the deep cabbage and this past week we’ve been catching some suspended over deeper water.
Please remember to practice selective harvesting, by doing so we will continue to have great fishing for years to come.
Dick Beardsley is the owner and operator of Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service in Bemidji. He can be reached at (218) 556-7172 and dick@dickbeardsley.com. For more information, visit www.dickbeardsleyfishingguide.com.
