The two most important keys to consistent fishing success are a sharp hook and a strong knot. Everything else is secondary… Everything!These days, there’s no excuse for not using a sharp hook every time we cast a line. Hook technology has come a long way.

The Smallmouth in Northern Wisconsin are bedded up and, with some persistence, are ready to bite. This is a fun time of year and your chance at landing a giant smallie is high. When I head out bed fishing for Smallmouth, I look for a gravel bottom with scattered rocks.

Leech Lake in north-central Minnesota is a clear-water lake with 112,000 acres. There is a wide range of habitat in Leech too, which helps support the diverse fishery.This lake has deep clear bays, like Walker Bay, which reach nearly 200 feet deep. And there are shallow, weedy bays, like Steamboat and Boy bays, which are mostly shallow, except for the old creek channels.Leech Lake has many large bays feeding to the main lake.

By Jeff WeaverContributing Writer Opening weekend this year had to be the most picture-perfect weather day one could ever wish for in their wildest dreams. Bright sunny skies, temperatures in the 70s and very little wind. Great for enjoying the lake, awesome for installing the dock and wonderful for taking a cruise in the boat.

Here in the Dakota’s, it would be tough not agree that live bait snells including spinners account for more walleyes than any other lure used during the open water season. It’s versatility and simplicity makes it a popular presentation no matter the walleye water. It’s June and now is the time to chase walleyes on your favorite waters using live bait snells.For many, fishing a spinner and/or live bait snell is simple: find right depth, drop your weight down to bottom and put yo…

By Kevin DahlkeAs spring progresses forward, the crappies are wrapping up their ritual and coming right in behind them are the bluegill. The bluegill, inch for inch in size, is one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish with their side digging and unwillingness to giving up.The sandy shorelines are starting to show the round disk shaped depressions where these fish are preparing to spawn. There may be areas that look like a land mine field went off with so many of these beds visible in the very…