On the border waters between South Dakota and Minnesota, anglers have been fishing since April 21. Most of the early-season fishing is with jigs and minnows, but when the calendar flips to June, so do the tactics.

"Usually by June we're looking more at leech-tipped slip-bobber rigs, with some trolling mixed in, and casting plugs in shallow water," Rasset said.

Rasset's favorite locations include the islands on the south end that tend to be the most productive throughout the summer. Slip-bobbers are the time-tested tactic on the points and rockpiles over the entire lake. He said the wind is a big factor regarding fish movement early in the summer, but once the lake warms up, it's not an issue.

For more information, visit the Big Stone Lake area's Web site at www.bigstonelake.com.

LAKE TRAVERSE
Lake Traverse and Big Stone Lake may as well be identical twins since they make up the "bump" on Minnesota's western border -- Big Stone the southern part of the bump and Traverse the northern part.

That is not where the resemblance ends, however. Traverse is big water at almost 12,000 acres, with eight boat launches. It is also jam-packed with walleyes because of 27 million fry stocked since 2000. Those stocked fry are on top of those that resulted from natural reproduction. The lake is stocked because the natural reproduction can be inconsistent, said Ortonville-area DNR fisheries specialist Nathan Olson.

The DNR reports that walleyes on Traverse are growing rapidly these days, and the lake is full of 17- to 20-inchers. This rapid growth is thanks to an abundant forage base of young-of-the-year sheepshead and white bass.

Because Traverse bottoms out just over 10 feet, there are some unmarked boulders scattered around, but especially by islands and on the north end. Boaters should use caution, and stopping by an area bait shop wouldn't hurt. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages two dams on the lake, which eventually flows north to feed the Bois de Sioux River. "Traverse can be a bit difficult to traverse," Olson said with a chuckle.

For more information on the area, go to www.cityofwheaton.com.

LAKE SHETEK
Shetek is the biggest lake in Murray County at nearly 3,600 acres, plus it's one of the best in southwestern Minnesota.

"The fishing around here is good, both from shore and from boats," said Jeff Carlson, owner of Carlson Corner in Slayton. "June is the month when the walleye action really picks up on Shetek."

Located 10 miles north of the town of Slayton on Highway 59 at the intersection of Valhalla Road, Carlson's bait shop is a popular stop for anglers heading to Shetek. He said the tactics on Shetek aren't complicated.

"Most fishermen go with live-bait jigging, slip-bobbers or trolling Rapalas," Carlson said. "You also get a lot of people using artificials like twistertails."

The DNR has stocked over 8 million walleye fry here in the last few years, and surveys have shown that Shetek is one of the top-producing walleye lakes in the area. Lake Shetek is the headwaters of the Des Moines River.

"Shetek is a very fertile lake with a lot of forage, and the overall growth of walleyes in there is really good," said Bob Davis, the DNR's area fisheries manager in Windom.