Fall transitions are in full swing and the fish are biting!

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

Walleyes

  • Locations: Sand flats, well-developed weed lines edges/pockets and rock transitions
  • Depth: 6–14 feet flats and 20–26 feet weed/rock edges
  • Tactics: Target walleyes by casting a 1/8 oz. egg sinker above a single hook with a leech (nightcrawlers work too). Lindy Max Gap BMAX jig and ¾ of a nightcrawler slow rolled over weeds or sand. Pitching and longline trolling the Smithwick Perfect 10 or Booyah Flashpoint is effective worked over the weeds. Pitching/jigging a 1/8 oz. jig (or 1/4 oz. if windy) with a fathead or snapping a #3 Moonshine Shiver Minnow can produce bites as well when hopping on 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: 6–15 feet
  • Tactics: 1/16 oz. 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). 1/16 oz. Lindy B-MAX jig paired with a Mister Twister Sassy Stingum, cast and slow retrieve around schools/weed lines or shallow timber.

Largemouth Bass

  • Locations: Back bays, channels/bays/lily pads/docks, deep weedlines
  • Depth: 2–15 feet
  • Tactics: Hair Jigs, light chatterbait/trailer plastic, small suspending jerkbait, weightless or small 1/8 oz. 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: 4–40 feet, mostly in top 15 feet of water column/shoreline shallower, scattered throughout the water column so let the jig sink at times.
  • Tactics: Cast a 1/16 oz. Lindy B-MAX Lil Nipper and slowly retrieve, single hook with a worm/split shot weight and small bobber. 1/4 oz. 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.