Here’s how we’re catching various species of fish:

Walleyes

  • Locations: Sand flats, well-developed weedlines and rock transitions
  • Depth: 6-14ft flats, 20-26ft weed/rock edges
  • Tactics: Target walleyes by casting a single hook tipped with a leech or nightcrawler below a 1/8-ounce egg sinker. Another option is to slowly roll a Lindy Max Gap BMAX jig tipped with three-quarters of a nightcrawler over weeds or sand. Pitching or longline trolling a Smithwick Perfect 10 or Booyah Flashpoint over the weeds can also be effective. To work closer to the bottom, try hopping a 1/8-ounce jig tipped with a fathead minnow or snapping a #3 Moonshine Shiver Minnow along the bottom.

Crappies / Sunfish

  • Locations: Deep bays on edges of weedlines or in holes, green cabbage/weed beds adjacent to holes or suspended in deep water near bays
  • Depth: 6-15ft
  • Tactics: 1/16oz Lindy Lil Nipper jig under a Thill crappie float-keeping the jig above the depth of the fish (Same tactics for sunfish, but downsize and tip with a wax worm). 1/16oz Lindy B-MAX jig paired with a Mister Twister Sassy Stingum, cast and slow retrieve around schools/weedlines or shallow timber.

Largemouth Bass

  • Locations: Back bays, channels/bays/lily pads/docks, deep weedlines
  • Depth: 2-15ft
  • Tactics: Hair Jigs, light chatterbait/trailer plastic, small suspending jerkbait, weightless or small 1/8oz split shot wacky rig. Cast and use a lift/fall retrieve, hopping on bottom or swimming through weeds

Rainbow Trout/ Lake Trout

Requires bonus trout stamp with fishing license

  • Locations: Roaming basin, above submerged trees, swimming along shoreline
  • Depth: 4-40ft, mostly in top 15ft of water column/shoreline shallower, scattered throughout the water column so let the jig sink at times
  • Tactics: cast a 1/16oz Lindy B-MAX Lil Nipper and slowly retrieve, single hook with a worm/split shot weight and small bobber. 1/4oz jig/swim bait work great for lake trout.

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. Learn more about Hawg Hunterz Guide Service and book your guided trip 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.