The fishing was getting hot for panfish on the Cannon River Chain until the cold fron’t came through and slowed things down some. The best bites were on the wider spots of the river known as Tetonka and Cannon lakes. The crappies and sunnies, including bull-gills were hitting like crazy according to reports on jigs and slip bobbers tipped with either a worm or a minnow. Three to five feet seemed to be the best depth to fish in for most action. The bigger crappies haven’t come in shallow yet but the bull size gils made up for that. Some were up to a pound in size. The bite is expected to pick back up again in a couple days.
The fishing below the dams have been producing crappies, sunnies and white bass. Casting jigs and also spinners were the hot baits here.
Some of the walleyes have just spawned and there are some that haven’t finished yet. By the time the lake opener arrives it should be far enough pass the spawn with the nicer weather temps and higher water temps that we have been and will experience that the bite should be pretty good.
If you planning to fish the lake opener in the Fairbault area make sure to stop in at Fairbault Bait and Tackle and talk to Lyle. He has a well stocked store with lots of bait and tackle of all sorts to get you on the water and catching those fish. In fact you don’t even have to wait until the opener to enjoy the fast action panfishing in both the river and lakes and he has all the supplies you will need. See you on the water. Bill Cadwell