The old rule of thumb for the walleye bite at Banks Lake is to expect it when the lilacs bloom, and they are out. According to Gordon Steinmetz, who is an old hand at fishing for walleye at Banks, the walleye bite is right on schedule. Just in time, too. The big walleye tournament is coming up this weekend. If the weather cooperates it should be good one, too. Walleye will be hungry after last year’s drawdown. I have also been getting some reports of amazing fishing for both smallmouth and largemouth bass from Banks. Crank baits seem to be the way to go this spring, as minnows are scarce and there is little cover for them. When the bass see a minnow imitation they figure its easy pickins. Another species that is on the bite now at Banks is crappie. Not only are good numbers of them being taken, they are big. Most are over 12 inches, and some are as large as 15 inches, and that’s a big crappie for our region. I can’t wait to get up to Banks. I want to try it all: smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing, walleye fishing and even try for some of those big crappie!