Detroit Lakes Fishing Report

Happy Fourth, anglers — this is the extended edition of this week's report, where the extra detail and tactics live.

Leeches are the story this week, and the walleye bite is rolling because of it. You'll find fish out as deep as 26', but don't sleep on the weeds — there are still big females tucked up in there. The single best move right now is a medium leech. Run it on a jig, a dropshot, or under a slip bobber and they'll eat it.

Slip bobber fishing can look like sit-back-and-relax fishing, but the guys catching the most aren't just staring at the float. Here's how to find the fish: every so often, slowly reel in while you watch your rod tip. As the line comes tight, look for a slight bend to form — that bend is the fish. When you see it, keep pulling back slowly to confirm there's real weight there, then give it a good, high hookset. If at any point the rod unloads and goes straight on you, reel fast to come tight again before you set. Do that and you'll turn a lot more nibbles into fish in the net.

Bass, crappies, and bluegill have all stayed consistent along the outer edges of the weedlines across multiple lakes, and they're biting on plastics. For the panfish specifically, small plastics on a 1/16 oz jig have been outfishing minnows. One trick for when they're picky and just nipping at the bait: pinch off part of your plastic to shorten it up, or swap a short shank hook for a long shank hook. Both moves slide the hook point closer to the front of the bait — right where their mouth is when they're nibbling — and that's the difference between feeling a tap and actually sticking one.

Want to break up the panfish action? Hedge a little deeper and you'll be in pike territory — and they're aggressive right now. Just about anything you throw is fair game.

If you've got time to get on the water this holiday week, take it. Good luck out there, and tight lines! Need a guide? Tap the image above, or Book a trip at baxstarfishing.com.