Fishing Fun Action for the Entire Family

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

Walleyes

  • Locations: Sand flats, well-developed weed lines and rock transitions
  • Depth: 6–14 foot flats, 20–26 foot weed / rock edges
  • Tactics: Target walleyes by casting a 1/8 ounce 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 a 1/8 ounce jig 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 weed lines or in holes and green cabbage / weed beds adjacent to holes or suspended in deep water near bays
  • Depth: 6–15 feet
  • Tactics: 1/16 ounce 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 ounce 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, and deep weed lines
  • Depth: 2–15 feet
  • Tactics: Hair Jigs, light chatterbait / trailer plastic, small suspending jerkbait, weightless or small 1/8 ounce 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 ounce Lindy B-MAX Lil Nipper and slowly retrieve, single hook with a worm / split shot weight and small bobber. 1/4 ounce 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. 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.