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As we head into the first week of July, fishing is holding up quite well throughout the Bemidji area. Look for walleyes along the deeper weed edges in 12-18 feet.

Jigs, plastics and ripping the jigs through the cabbage is producing walleyes on Lakes Bemidji, Plantagenet, Grace and Gull. Slip bobbers and leeches or crawlers are also producing some fish.

Bass fishing is excellent using plastics off the deep weed edges and you’ll find crappies and larger bluegill in those same areas.

Please remember to practice selective harvesting, by doing so we will continue to have great fishing for years to come. Have a safe, fun Fourth of July.

Contributed

Bemidji area: Live-bait rigs with large minnows, slip bobbers and leeches or crawlers, and spinners with crawlers were producing some fish in 12 to 24 feet on Lake Bemidji, Lake Plantagenet and Lake Andrusia. Look for bass and a mixed bag of panfish along the weedlines on most lakes.

Bemidji area resource can be contacted at (218)Ìý556-7172.

Blackduck area: You’ll still find bluegills in the reeds or along the 8- to 12-foot cabbage, while crappies are being caught in the 10- to 12-foot cabbage on Gull Lake, South Twin Lake, Blackduck Lake, Gilstead Lake and Pimushe Lake. Walleye action has been slower this week with crawlers and leeches producing a few fish along the 8- to 12-foot weeds or bars in 16 to 18 feet on Island Lake, Gull and Round.

Blackduck area resource can be contacted at (218) 835-4636.

Upper Red Lake: Walleyes continue to be caught, but they are definitely starting to spread out or be found in smaller bunches. Most shorelines are still producing fish, although the north and east shores have been in 6 to 9 feet.

Crankbaits or spinners and crawlers are the ticket because you need to cover more water. There have been some deeper walleyes being taken on rigs and jigs with live bait on Center Bar in 12 to 14 feet.

Upper Red Lake area resource can be contacted at (218) 647-8998.

Contributed

Lake Winnibigoshish: Jigs or live-bait rigs tipped with crawlers are turning walleyes during the evening hours on the flats in 12 to 16 feet or 19 to 22 feet. There also have been a few more walleyes caught during low-light periods by trolling crankbaits on top of the bars in 14 to 18 feet. Perch action remains slow, with a few bigger fish being found off deep structure.

Lake Winnibigoshish area resource Lake Winnie Resort Association can be contacted via its website,

Leech Lake: A slip bobber rig or spinner rig with crawlers and leeches are turning walleyes on the 7- to 12-foot rocks north of Pelican Island. You’ll also find walleyes in slightly deeper water off Diamond Point, Hogger’s Reef and Roger’s Point.

A spinner and crawler continue to produce walleyes along the 10- to 12-foot weed edges in Sucker Bay or the main-lake rocks in 16 to 18 feet. There have been muskies caught by anglers trolling over deep water and picking up suspended fish. Look for bass and panfish relating to the cabbage beds in most bays.

Leech Lake area resource can be contacted at (218) 547-1505.

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