State fishing report

Detroit Lakes area: With lakes in the area now ice-free, some anglers are catching walleyes in about 4 to 12 feet using jigs, slip bobbers or minnows with leeches. Northerns are being caught at shallow depths. Crappies are starting to move to spawning areas, and action should soon pick up.

Grand Rapids area: Walleye action should start improving this week with the expected warmer temperatures on lakes such as Deer, Sugar and Moose. Anglers are catching some walleyes at shallow depths in the smaller lakes with warmer water temperatures.

Mankato area: Hanska Lake has been the best spot for some good walleye action at about 3 to 12 feet using jigs and minnows, casting Shad Raps or pulling spinners with night crawlers. The smaller rivers such as the Blue Earth and Cottonwood are producing some walleye action as well. Crappies have been biting on Lake Washington at 4 to 6 feet using crappie minnows or wax worms.

Mille Lacs Lake: Anglers are catching some walleyes on sandy parts of the lake using a shiner and a Lindy Rig in about 10 feet of water during the day or jigging with a leech during the evening.

Lake Vermilion: Joe Kruchowski, owner of Northwoods Bait and Tackle in Cook, said walleye action started to pick up until the recent inclement weather. Those catching walleyes are using slip bobbers with rainbow chubs or jig heads from about 7 to 9:30 p.m. Northern action has been spotty.

Lake Winnibigoshish and Cutfoot Sioux: Anglers have enjoyed excellent walleye action on the Cutfoot Sioux but will now focus on Winnie. With improving water temperatures, anglers are heading out to the sand flats or shorelines on the big lake for good walleye action using primarily shiner minnows at shallow depths. Panfish and crappie bite is also starting to improve.