Interesting as it may seem, another species of fish has burst on the scene and down river from the Blandin Dam in Grand Rapids to Jacobson on the Mississippi River and beyond. Channel Catfish!! Not Catfish Hunter types from the movie icon Grumpier Old Men, but true channel cats that roam the upper stretches of the Mississippi River down river from Grand Rapids. They have been there for many years but have been unnoticed for the most part. Locals don’t really know much about Channel Cats, but they are willing biters and are excellent to eat. Many visitors from outside Grand Rapids are well aware of Channel Cats and another species that are fun to catch. Cleaner and sharper looking then their cousin the Bullhead, baits of choice can be pretty easy. Minnows and crawlers fished in and current breaks and seams, log jams, rock piles are all good choices. Jig and minnow or with a gob of crawlers on the jig can also work at times. Pay attention to turns and deep holes in the river as well. Can be great holding areas for Channel Cats.  

Best setups can be similar to sturgeon rigs fished on the bottom but slightly lighter. Anchor or spot lock up river of your target spot and be patient. Like any other species if you don’t get bit in 15-20 minutes, move. Cats can be a bit finicky at times, but because they are not pressured like other species  they seem to be fairly aggressive. One thing for sure don’t turn your nose up at Channel Cats for they are excellent table fare.

Every time we get a few cool nights and the water temperature drops a few degrees, crappies are migrating back and forth from shallow weeds to depths of 15-20 feet. Can be a food situation or a sense of change. Make sure when chasing crappies this time of year you also bring a bobber rod along and be able to change your depth from shallow to deeper. We still think a small hair jig with plastic or a small minnow. Pay attention to weather and conditions for crappies can change locations daily. Some of the better lakes in the Itasca County area to try are Big Balsam, Bowstring, Little Bowstring , Big Cutfoot, Loon Lake, and Pokegama.

Walleye action is still good and summer success depends on your willingness to be a little versatile. On many of the lakes in Itasca County the water has started to green up which is common to late season conditions. On clear lakes this is a welcome condition for it will drive the walleyes shallower and make them somewhat easier to catch during the day. Spinners with a small chub, half a crawler, or a leech are all turning walleyes presently on area lakes. Slow troll at 1.25 mph and cover water paying attention to where you are contacting fish. Trolling crankbaits in the same area can also be very effective. Depths of 10-16 feet can be key depths to locating walleyes right now. In and around structure such as weed beds, rocks, and gravel. Lakes with clearer water may have to be fished a little deeper on off shore structures in depths of  18-25 feet. Some of the better walleye lakes to try are Swan, Big Cutfoot, Winnie, Bowstring, Jessie, and Pokegama. Check with local baits shops in the area such as 1000 Lakes Sports, River Rat Bait, Fred’s Bait in Deer River, and the Max Mini Store in Squaw Lake for updated fishing information.