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Doug Kelley happened to be taking wildlife photos on Mantrap Lake and encountered this muskie slithering along the surface. The behavior is fairly common with muskies and though they appear injured, the fish submerge and swim away after several seconds. (Submitted photo)

Muskie mannerisms are peculiar

Muskies are definitely bizzare creatures. Their habits are sometimes predictable but often times the opposite. We know their spawning cycle, that they reproduce in shallow areas as the water temperature...

outdoors / fishing Sat, Aug 18, 2012 - 1:00pm

This Lake Belle Taine smallmouth bass, which measured just over 20-inches, was simply too greedy for it's own good. The fish had a crappie, which was nearly half the length of the bass and ultimately caused the predator's mortality, stuck in its mouth. (Jason Durham / For the Enterprise)

Biting off more than you can swallow

With so many crystal clear lakes in the Park Rapids area, anglers often insist on light tackle for most species. This includes smaller diameter fishing line, down-sized presentations and an...

outdoors / fishing Sat, Aug 11, 2012 - 1:00pm

Summer fish kill continues on Bemidji area lakes

The hot weather continues in the Bemidji area with surface water temperatures holding in the upper 70s on most area lakes. The summer kill on cold water species is expanding,...

outdoors / fishing Fri, Aug 03, 2012 - 7:03am

Pete Lafond caught these two fish simultaneously this past week on Potato Lake. The bluegill at the bottom actually ate his nightcrawler and was hooked. However, the rockbass on top was somehow lassoed in the line. (Jason Durham / For the Enterprise)

Mid-day action needs weed cover

Ah, blessed heat. To fish for an afternoon requires constant hydration, sun protection and at the current time, the ability to ignore black flies biting your ankles all day. Obviously...

outdoors / fishing Sat, Jul 28, 2012 - 1:00pm

Kids Fishing Derby this weekend canceled

The annual Kids Fishing Derby held at the Red Bridge has been canceled. Family illnesses caused the longtime founders to cancel this year's event, which would have been the 12th...

entertainment / events / fishing Wed, Jul 25, 2012 - 3:19pm

Kurt and Anna Day caught this pair of largemouth bass on Little Mantrap lake using plastic worms along the deep weedline. Numerous fish species utilize deep weeds for habitat. (Jason Durham / For the Enterprise)

Deep weeds have more active fish

Recent above average water temperatures have made some fish species more lethargic and others more active. While walleye action may have slowed down, species like crappie, largemouth bass and muskie...

outdoors / fishing Sat, Jul 21, 2012 - 1:30pm

A Minnesota conservation officer seized 135 fish while investigating a gross misdemeanor over-limit of sunfish in Douglas County. (Contributed photo)

Unlicensed anglers found with 116 sunfish on Lobster, Mina

When Jeff Johanson, a conservation officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Osakis, received a call that three men were catching and keeping a lot of fish...

outdoors / fishing Thu, Jul 19, 2012 - 6:04am

Josh Shepard displays a gorgeous deep-water smallmouth bass he caught just before he released it. With above average water temperatures, cool water species like walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike have been suspended in deep water though anglers can find them in mid-depths during morning and evening hours. (Jason Durham / For the Enterprise)

Warm weather/water affects fishing

Elevated water temperature results in stratification of the water column. The water column is what you would picture if you extended a tube from surface to bottom and analyze the...

outdoors / fishing Sun, Jul 15, 2012 - 11:58am

Hot weather may be killing fish

Record-setting heat may be contributing to fish kills in lakes across the state, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). "Natural summer fish kills are not unusual," according...

outdoors / fishing Thu, Jul 12, 2012 - 1:21pm

Darrylinn Cummings may not seem excited to hold this Long Lake walleye that she caught last week, but judging by her screaming, her son and boyfriend agreed that she was truly joyful. Appropriately holding fish can sometimes become a daunting task, just ask Darrylinn. (Jason Durham / For the Enterprise)

Holding fish for photo is a delicate endeavor

Years ago, it was common for people to bring their fish into local bait shops to have it weighed and have a picture taken. Often times those fish were on...

outdoors / fishing Sat, Jul 07, 2012 - 1:00pm

Katie Magozzi, Jessica Critz, marketing coordinator for Crestliner, committee member Jason Durham and Chamber president Bob Seifert present the boat that is the raffle prize. (Jean Ruzicka / Enterprise)

Governor's Opener raffle ticket sales begin

The raffle ticket winner in the 2013 Governor's Fishing Opener drawing will claim a 2013 Crestliner boat with a Mercury 115 Optimax motor, trailer and custom travel cover, valued at...

outdoors / news / fishing Tue, Jul 03, 2012 - 1:00pm

Catching walleye in the middle of the day is a good possibility, even with numerous active boaters on the water during the Fourth of July week. Look for those fish in deep water and don't discount any minute of the afternoon as "walleye time!" (Jason Durham / For the Enterprise)

Long days give anglers opportunity

Expect a busy week ahead on our local lakes. There are numerous activities such as boat parades and the annual July 4 fireworks display in Heartland Park (which is amazing...

outdoors / fishing Sat, Jun 30, 2012 - 1:00pm

After an hour on the lake, Annika Olson, 12, of Laporte had hooked a perch and Seth Carlson, 11, of Bemidj, induced a walleye. (Jean Ruzicka / Enterprise)

A great day to go fishing

Saturday's second annual Laporte Area Take a Kid Fishing drew 35 kids out on Garfield Lake to drop a line, 16 boats with two guides per boat lending their expertise...

outdoors / fishing Wed, Jun 13, 2012 - 1:00pm

Gerra Gentry holds up a beautiful walleye she landed this past week on Fish Hook Lake. The species has been somewhat persnickety on certain bodies of water recently due to an abundance of natural forage. (Jason Durham / Enterprise)

Fish forage has been abundant

A few notable transitions have taken place in the aquatic environment over the past week. First off, spawning for a few different species is either beginning, currently taking place, or...

outdoors / fishing Sat, Jun 09, 2012 - 1:00pm

Sharon Melbo, from left, Kim Petrie and Amber Gabriel had their most successful WAM state tournament ever Saturday with all three placing. (Sarah Smith / Enterprise)

Three generations of local anglers do Park Rapids proud

Last weekend at Paynesville on Lake Koronis at the Women Anglers of Minnesota (WAM) State Tournament, Sharon Melbo, Kim Petrie and Amber Gabriel did a fantastic job of representing Park...

outdoors / fishing Sat, Jun 09, 2012 - 1:00pm

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