JUNE
Chisago Lake
Chisago County
On Chisago Lake, all largemouth bass over 12 inches must be released immediately. This means there are bunches of big bass there, and if you get to them around the opener of the bass season, they will still be biting on whatever you put in front of them. A good early-season technique on this lake is a white spinnerbait pulled slowly over the top of the emerging vegetation.

Lake Belle Taine
Hubbard County
The smallmouth bass will be shallow on Belle Taine on opener and for a few weeks after. There's plenty of rubble mixed in with the sand near the bulrushes, but don't rule out the emerging beds of cabbage and coontail. The smallies in Belle Taine are tricked easily with a 1/4-ounce tube jig twitched past their nose.

Kawishiwi River
Boundary Waters Canoe
Area Wilderness
June is a great month to be in the BWCAW because the walleyes are biting and the bugs aren't…yet. The mosquitoes and flies will come out when it heats up in July, so take advantage of that early-season walleye fishing when it's still cool in the northwoods.

On the Kawishiwi River, fish the base of the riffles with a jig and minnow. Yes, you want to take some live bait in with you. Live bait ups your odds dramatically and ensures that some of those big walleyes tug on your line.

JULY
German Lake
LeSueur County
By the first of July, the vegetation in the lakes is well developed. On lakes that have high numbers of big bluegills, the edge of that vegetation is where to find the fish. German Lake is full of big bluegills and has a well-developed weedline. Drift that 10- to 12-foot depth contour with a jig tipped with a small leech and you will find out why German has such a good reputation for big bluegills.

Big Swan Lake
Todd County
For the past 10 years, any pike caught on Big Swan that was 24 inches or larger had to be released. This year, the new regulations allow one pike over 36 inches to be kept. There are plenty of big pike in Big Swan, and they like to fight. Casting big crankbaits, heavy spinnerbaits and even a big spoon will trigger some arm-wrenching strikes from those Swan Lake pike.

Lake Melissa
Becker County
Lake Melissa is loaded with structure and there are plenty of walleyes using it. Use a live-bait rig and leech on the deep edges of the midlake humps and you'll find those walleyes. Anglers also have great luck on Melissa at night casting shallow-diving crankbaits over the shoreline vegetation.

AUGUST
Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods County
While many of the great walleye lakes are slowing down during dog days, Lake of the Woods is churning out walleyes. Consider taking advantage of one of the great resort launch boats where you head out to the open water of the big basin and target huge schools of suspended walleyes with downriggers. It is fun. Troll along and watch the rods. When a rod tip pops up, call for the angler who is in the hot seat to reel it in. When all the other lakes are dead for walleyes, Lake of the Woods is a lively option.

Lake Minnewashta
Carver County
You must release every largemouth bass caught in Lake Minnewashta. It has been great for the resource. Thick mats of milfoil require flipping jigs tipped with scented plastic trailers, and when you set the hook, it's bound to be a bruiser bass. Get out early in the morning and you won't have to be rocked by the water-skiers who love this lake as much as bass anglers do.