Open Water Fishing is Close
Beautiful weather in the forecast, which means open water fishing is not far away! There are some opportunities to pursue crappies, sunfish, and trout. Inland trout season remains open for fishing until the end of March. We’re seeing lakes with 18-23 inches of ice and other lakes with thin ice or open water near current areas or springs, so please exercise extreme caution. Shoreline areas are very unstable this time of year. Ice is never safe; here is some information from the Minnesota DNR on ice safety.

Bluegills & Sunfish

  • Locations: Large weed flats, weedy bays with a moderate depth/deeper holes, weeds near deep water entering a bay, muddy basin under 25ft
  • Depth: 8-17ft target depths
  • Tactics: Small ice jig/wax worm or 5mm Tungsten jig/red spike jigging near or in weeds 2ft from bottom. Drill multiple holes in and around weeds to find fish, jig for 10-15 minutes in each hole before moving to the next location.

Crappies

  • Locations: Deep bays, green cabbage/weed beds adjacent to holes or deep water near a bay, suspended in the basin.
  • Depth: 12-20ft
  • Tactics: 1/16oz or 1/8oz Lindy Quiver spoons or Frostee Spoon tipped with wax worms; 7mm Tungsten jig/Mister Twister Sassy Stingum. Jig above schools or mid-range in the water column in clear bodies of water to draw fish in.

Rainbow Trout 

  • Locations: Large bays, edges of drop offs, near submerged timber.
  • Depth: 5–75 feet target depths.
  • Tactics: Trout can be aggressive this time of year, so jigging the entire water column is a good idea. We often use 1/16oz jigging spoons tipped with wax worms (Lindy Quiver or tungsten) or Tungsten jig/wax worm.

Northern Pike (Mille Lacs Lake Only)

  • Locations: Large weed flats, weedy bays with a moderate depth/deeper holes, weeds near deep water entering a bay, muddy basin under 25ft.
  • Depth: 8-15ft target depths.
  • Tactics: Northern Pike are aggressive this time of year and we often use ¼oz jigging spoons (Lindy Quiver or 1/2oz War Eagle), lipless crankbaits, or set line with a sucker minnow.

If you’re wondering where and how to fish, tune in to Visit Brainerd Baxter for weekly fishing reports by Hawg Hunterz Guide Service LLC. As always have fun, stay safe, and Happy Hawg Hunting! Learn more about Hawg Hunterz Guide Service HERE.

Plan your fishing trip to Brainerd today. Find excellent in-town hotels and visit one or more of the 400+ lakes in Crow Wing County and the Brainerd Lakes Area for an incredible multi-species fishing experience.