The clearer water this season has been beneficial in many ways and also hard to fish at times. For several species the day bite has been tough, but still doable. Walleyes bite better during low light conditions, buy the bass and panfishing has been excellent.

Most notable crappies and bluegills do better in clear water situations and will feed all day long. For the most part, like bass, they are sight feeders and need clearer conditions to see their food. They also are less vulnerable to predators and can see them in the area and escape. There are always exceptions to the rule. Many times on clearer lakes crappies will feed right at dusk on some structures such as rock piles and cabbage weed beds. A small jig tipped with a small minnow or leech will be just the ticket. There also can be some bonus species such as giant bluegills and even a walleye or two getting tripped up by this smaller presentation. A slip bobber can help you put your bait in the proper depth keeping it just above the structure. Keep changing  depths and locations until you contact fish. Light tackle is preferred with line test of 4# monofilament being the best choice. Light action rods will help you to detect the slightest of bites and are fun to fish with. The Grand Rapids and Itasca County area are rich in panfish waters. Just about every body of water has good bluegill and crappie waters. Some of the better ones to try are Pokegama, Loon, Little Splithand, Little Cutfoot, Balsam, and most bodies of water along the Scenic Highway.

Bass fishing for both species has been excellent. Largemouth bass have been off the charts and with the clearer water they can target baits much easier. One key is to keep your boat out and away from the weed beds, docks and rockpiles you intend on fishing, Make longer casts as not to spook the fish. Largemouth don’t have a true preference when it comes to conditions as opposed to smallmouth that like sunny days to see their prey. Dock fishing is fun and productive and on any given lake there can be numbers of docks to fish. These are ambush spots that always produce. Look for docks that have appropriate amount of shade and throw your bait as close to the posts and brackets of a dock. Early in the day you can have good success with top water baits as to get their attention. Many larger docks can have several bass under them. Catch a couple and move on to the next dock. Docks with deep water nearby are always my first choices. Edges of weed beds in 8-12 feet also can be excellent locations this time of year. Weeds are at their optimum and have several choices of forage. Some of the better largemouth lakes in the area are Pokegama, Loon, Big Splithand, Spider, Big Rice, and Wabana.

Smallmouth fishing is excellent in the Grand Rapids area and a few of the lakes to target are Deer, Pokegama, Wabana, and Turtle. Good information is available at several of the bait shops.

Summer is going to turn the corner soon and before you know it we will see shorter days and cool nights. Lots of good angling locations and many places to have the rod bend. Remember before you head out fishing that you have your MN Fishing License. Make sure that you wear your life jacket when you are in a boat fishing, and always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back. Have fun and be safe!