Area lakes water temperatures are dropping into the 60's and the action is good. I measured four Crappies at 13 inches or longer in the last few days. Leo Leibold landed a 13 1/4 incher along with a 13 1/8 incher. Jan Byers had a 13 1/8 inch Crappie and George LeMay landed a 13 incher. These fish now rank 2nd thru 5th in this years Crappie Contest. Eight of our top ten Crappies this year have been landed after August 17th. Don Brawner continues to hold the lead with the 14 incher that he landed back on May 15th.

Earl Sheets landed a big 19 inch Largemouth Bass on 9-12-11. Rick Martens remains our Big Bass Leader with the 20 incher that he landed on June 20th. Rick and his group returned last week for a 2nd trip in 2011. Rick and his brother-in-law Al Dalziel enjoyed telling me about the 45-50 inch Muskie that Rick had on for several minutes on 9-16-11 before the fish eventually won that battle. The fish slammed Rick's bass bait on a turbulent cloudy and rainy day.

Some really nice Bluegills, Sunfish and Pumpkinseed have been landed in the last week or so. Photo's of many between 9 and 9 3/4 inches can be seen on our website's photo gallery. Our Top Ten are all between 9 7/8 inches and 10 1/2 inches. Dave Jacobson of Minot, ND continues to be this year's Giant Bluegill leader.