Minnesota Fishing: Brainerd Lakes Area Fishing
Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaThe lakes in the Brainerd Area have really heated up this last week. Stable daytime temperatures in the 60's have created ideal conditions for springtime crappies. It's time to set the yard rake down, grab a scoop of crappie minnows, and take the kids fishing! Most of the best fishing this next week will be from shore. The water in the small ditches, creeks, and boat harbors has warmed to that magic level of 50 degrees. Crappies are moving in daily to take advantage of the food these areas have to offer. Most of the best action has been just at sunset. This is the time when the larger fish will move into the shallows. The key is finding these shallow water areas. Think of any little backwater area with a muddy bottom. They exists on just about every lake in the Brainerd area. These warm areas act like magnets. The best method for catching these spring crappies has been a simple float and a plain, small crappie jig. Try and keep your bobber and minnow small. Be prepared for that occasional dogfish that will take you for a ride. My 8 year old son, Jacob ,caught one that tipped the scale over 6 pounds last night. I can still hear him yelling DADDDDD! Take care until next week! Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaMost of the ice is gone in the Brainerd Lakes Area. What's left will probably be gone by the time you read this report. Temperatures in the 60's and heavy winds did their job and removed the majority of the area ice late last week. The attention now shifts to crappies. The warm temperatures have also heated up many of the little backwater areas in the region. Shore fisherman have been finding sunnies in many of the little ditches. But the crappies have not showed up yet. With the temperatures predicted to be in the 60's for most of the week, this will soon change. The key to finding spring crappies in the Brainerd Area is warm water. Look for small pockets off water, such as ditches, channels, or swampy areas. These are places where the water can warm quickly. Most of the best fishing will be from shore during the next week or two. If the water's surface temperature is in the 50's, then you've found a crappie magnet. Keep checking. It's amazing how those Black Slabs can find those small areas. Take care until next week! Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaThe ice is disappearing in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Several of the smaller lakes are now ice free. If the temperatures stay in the 80's like it was today, then most of the area lakes should be open by this weekend. The crappie fishing should pick up in the coming weeks. Look for shallow dark water areas that have a muddy bottom. These are the areas where the sun's rays will warm the water quickly and start the hatching of the first insect life of the summer. It's this insect activity that draws the small bait fish, AND then the crappies. If you can find water temperatures in the 50's in a backwater area, it's almost a lock that the crappies will be moving in soon. It looks like it's going to be at least another week before the start of the Spring Crappie Bite in Brainerd. I sure hope everyone has put a good dent into the Honey-Do list. You sure don't want to be raking leaves while your buddies are watching that little bobber go down! The annual trip to the Rainy River was full of mixed messages this year. Our boat caught fewer fish when compared to other years. We averaged 25-35 fish each day. What we missed in numbers. We definitely made up for in size. For the two days that we were fishing, we landed nine fish over seven pounds and had three that were over ten. The largest was just over 10.5 lbs. and was landed by my son Tyler. Take care until next week! John Blong Brainerd Guide Service www.brainerdguide.com Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaThe ice conditions in the Brainerd Lakes Area have become too risky for safe ice fishing. It's time to start packing all the ice gear away and start pulling out the open water gear. Thank goodness for the Final Four. A person can only put so much line on their open water reels before they want to go out and wet a line. I think I'll have to make a trip up to the Rainy River next weekend and see what's happening. If the temperatures reach the 50's like the weather man says, then it should be a pretty good trip. I'm sure there'll be a few hundred stir crazy fisherman up there just like me. It looks like it's going to be at least another two weeks before we see open water in the Brainerd Area. So get your Honey-Do lists done. You sure don't want to be washing windows when you're buddies are enjoying the Spring crappie bite. Take care until next week! Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaThe warm weather this last week has taken it's toll on the ice conditions around the Brainerd Lakes Area. The ice has become marginal over the last few days. The ice has pulled back 5 to 10 feet from the shore on most lakes. Some people are using waders to get to the "good" ice and then walking out from there. This is VERY risky. If you're going to do it, make sure you bring an ice spud and check the ice as you go. The ice conditions are changing fast. I would not advise any vehicle or ATV traffic on Brainerd area lakes. In a few days, not even foot traffic will be safe. On some lakes the foot traffic isn't safe now. The sunfish action has been fantastic. Just about every lake has been producing excellent numbers of fish. The larger sunnies have been coming from Edwards, Round, North Long, and Lower Cullen. Euro Larva and wax worms on small tear drop jigs have been working well. The sunfish have been in 4-6 feet of water. With a little shade, you can see the fish right through the hole. Be careful, don't let the good fishing tempt you into taking careless chances. I saw my first robin today!!! Take care until next week! Name: carl Brainerd_Areauppermission wow! sunnies all day crappies in 2.30 on don,t need locator just look done hole Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaThe warm weather continues to amaze me. Today the temperatures reached 67 degrees at my house. The ice won't last long if this warming trend continues. The ice conditions in the Brainerd Lakes Area are changing rapidly. Many of the area lakes are starting to turn gray. Many lakes are still safe for foot and ATV traffic, but I would advise against large vehicles The sunfish action was excellent this week on Round, North Long, Upper Cullen, and Lower Cullen Lakes. The key locations continue to be in 8- 12 feet of water on the backside of good weed beds. Just drive past any of these lakes, it won't be tough to see where the action is. Many, many people are standing on the ice enjoying the warm weather and catching fish. Euro Larva and wax worms on small tear drop jigs have been working well. The crappie fishing remained strong as well. Many reports of pound and a quarter crappies are coming from Round, Gladstone, Upper Cullen Upper Gull, and Hubert are still producing numbers of crappie, but the size has not been a large. Small minnows on light jigs have been producing the most fish. Key locations have been deeper water areas next to fast breaks. The water depths have been shallower, with 18 to 25 feet producing the most fish. Spring IS Coming! Take care until next week! John Blong Brainerd Guide Service www.brainerdguide.com Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaWhat a change in temperature from this week compared to last. The weather man predicts 55 degrees for today. Last week the high was -5 degrees and the low was -21 degrees. Can someone say warming trend? With all the nice weather, the Brainerd Lakes are alive with ice fishermen. This is my favorite time to ice fish. I just love fishing outside on the ice. The sunfish action continues to be strong in the Brainerd Area. Round, North Long, Upper Cullen, and Lower Cullen Lakes have all been putting out their share of nice bluegills. The key locations continue to be in 8- 12 feet of water on the backside of good weed beds. Euro Larva and wax worms on small tear drop jigs have been working well. The crappie fishing remained strong as well. There has been many pound to pound and a quarter crappies being caught on Round and Gull lake. Gladstone, Upper Cullen Upper Gull, and Hubert are still producing numbers of crappie, but the size has not been a large. Small minnows on light jigs have been producing the most fish. Key locations have been deeper water areas next to fast breaks. The water depths have varied from 30-45 feet. Make sure you bring a extension for your ice auger! There's still 40-45 inches of ice on many of the lakes. Take care until next week! John Blong www.brainerdguide.com Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaSomeone forgot to tell the weather man that Spring is suppose to be coming. It was 21 degrees below zero at my house last night. The brutal cold and the fact that all permanent houses must now be off the lake has made for some less than favorable ice fishing conditions in the Brainerd Lakes Area. The sunfish have seemed to be ignoring the cold however. For those individuals that don't let the cold daytime temperature bother them, there has been some pretty good bluegills taken on North Long, Upper Cullen, and Lower Cullen Lakes. The key locations have been in 8- 12 feet of water on the backside of good weed beds. Euro Larva and wax worms on small tear drop jigs have been working well. The crappie fishing has improved this past week. Round, Gull, Upper Gull, and Hubert are still the best bets in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Small minnows on light jigs have been producing the most fish. Key locations have been deeper water areas next to fast breaks. The water depths have varied from 30-45 feet. Make sure you bring a extension for your ice auger! We just keep making ice!! Take care until next week! Name: Addison Fischer Brainerd_AreaI was wondering if anybody knows anything about fishing in Ruth Lake here, I just moved here and I was wondering what type fish are in that lake. If anyone knows please E-Mail me. thaks till then, (keep your stick on the ice)just like what Red-Green says. Name: Cliff Johnsdon Brainerd_AreaWas wondering if anybody knows a new resort owner in the Bemijie area by the name of Jim Ball. He was close to my home town and would like to contact him about fishing this summer some timde Email me if you know Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaThe walleye fishing is done for the year. Now's the time of year to get a few of those chores on the Honey-DO this done. Don't forget to start thinking about your fishing poles and old fishing line. It's not a bad idea to pull out all that stuff and start organizing it now. It never fails, Spring rolls around the corner and before you know it, it's soft water time again! The crappie fishing has been slow this past week. Sub-zero temperatures has made for less than ideal conditions. Round, Gull, Upper Gull, and Hubert are still the best bets in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Name: Chris Brainerd_AreaI am a local guy looking for a lead on some good pan fishing holes or locations. My father, who always heads out to the Dakota's hunting the large perch and bluegills/sunnies, has decided to come to Brainerd instead of the Dakota's this fishing trip. I would really like to get him on some big perch or blue gills if at all possible. He has never ice fished in the Lakes area and I believe that if he has some luck he will forget about those Dakotas. I appreciate any help and you may email me directly at: throwbackthehogs@yahoo.com Name: rusty Brainerd_AreaHas anyone been doing any good on the smaller lakes around Crosslake for Pan fish? Name: Robin Brainerd_AreaI have been trying to get in touch with the people at Hickory Lodge Resort to make reservations for next summer but I have not received an answer. Does anyone know how to reach them during the winter? Thanks to whomever can help!! Name: BAOHUTCH Brainerd_AreaAny word or info on the crappie bite on Mitchell lake by Brainerd, any info would be GREAT ! Thanks. Name: guru Brainerd_AreaDoes anyone know if the ice is safe to drive on on North Long Lake in the Merrifield bay and gap? Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaUpdated 2-6-03 The weather in the Brainerd Lakes Area has been bitterly cold this last week. Temperatures dropped down to minus 20 degrees on several nights this last week. The forecast is predicting more of the same for the next several days. The truth of the matter is that when it gets that cold, I tend to loss some interest in fishing. So the reports I'm passing on based on information from some of buddies that don't seem to know when to come out of the cold!! (just kidding) The Walleye fishing has been spotty this last week. Most of the fish have been coming out of the deeper water. 35-40 feet has been the best depth range. Smaller shinners on rattle reels have been producing most of the fish. The best bet on lakes has been Gull. The crappie fishing has slowed also. Gladestone, Hubert, North Long, and Upper Gull are the best choices. P.S. Now's the time of year to get a few of those chores on the Honey-DO this done. Because once March rolls around it'll be time for those crappie trips. Take care until next week! Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaNashville, Hubert is an excellent panfish lake at that time of the year. The weed edge is about 12 feet deep then. There's some good fishing to be found on the Boy's Camp Bar. It's a sunken island that tops out at 6 feet. It's located on the northwest end of the lake, right out in front of Camp Lincon. You'll see of the sailboats. You can't miss it. Panfish leeches and a small bobber are all it will take.
Take Care! JOHN Name: John Brainerd_AreaUpdated 1-29-03 This was a difficult week in the Brainerd Lakes Area. We are still feeling the loss of Cliff Wicktor. Cliff was the co-owner of the S&W Bait Shop. Cliff and his wife Sherree, have made the S&W Shop into the premier Bait Store in the Brainerd Lakes Area. This week's frigid weather put a clamp on the fishing as well. The best crappie bets are still Upper Gull, Gladstone, North Long, Gull, and Round lake. The fishing should improve with the warmer weather predicted for next week. The walleye action was tough in the Brainerd Lakes Area this last week. Gull, North Long, Pelican and Lake Edwards are still your best bets for some fish, but the size hasn't been close to the caliber of previous weeks. Most of the fish taken this last week were caught in deeper water. With 32 to 45 feet of water being the most productive depth. The deep water Islands and saddle areas have been producing the most fish. A shiner minnow on a tip-up has been a tough combination to beat. We will miss you Cliff!
Name: jason Brainerd_Areahey nashville , I was on hubert yesterday and the action has slowed alot there.if I were you I think I would hit N. long.we pulled fish out of there last weekend,the bite is pretty good there.crappies and eyes. Watch Out for the big hole on the lake. everywhere else is safe,about 18 inches of ice where we fished. stay mobile and you will put a few more fish in your bucket.weighed the biggest crappie from n.long,it went 1.9 pounds,just shy of 14 in. Good luck! Name: Nashville Slim Brainerd_AreaRetired from the Navy and was going back to fish the Brainerd area this June after a long time gone. Wondering if anyone could give me a few panfish or pike tips for Hubert, Shamineau or Fish Trap lakes. An old vet would appreciate any info you could give me. Name: John Blong Brainerd_AreaWeekly Report 1-23-03 The temperatures in the Brainerd Lakes Area were cold this last week. Not even the notorious Black Hole on 371 Bay of North Long lake could keep from freezing over. The temperature reached -15 degrees at my house on Wednesday night. This week's cold weather also seemed to put a damper on the fishing as well. The crappie bite was slower than last week. The problem wasn't in finding the crappies. It was in trying to get them to bite once you did. There's nothing more frustrating then seeing a nice fish on your electronics, have it swim up to your bait, look at it, and then swim away. The best crappie bets are still Upper Gull, Gladstone, North Long, Gull, and Round lake. The bulk of the fish are still suspended near shore points, located close to deep water. You'll catch more crappies right now with smaller jigs and wax worms than the traditional jig and minnow combo. With the cold weather, the crappies just seem to get picky. This should improve once the weather starts to stabilize. The walleye action has also slowed in the Brainerd Lakes Area this last week. Gull, North Long, Pelican and Lake Edwards are still producing some fish, but the size hasn't been close to the caliber of previous weeks. Getting away from the crowds is still a key. Most of the fish taken this last week were caught in deeper water. With 32 to 45 feet of water being the most productive depth. The deep water Islands and saddle areas have been producing the most fish. A shiner minnow on a tip-up has been a tough combination to beat. The Jaycee's Ice tourney was a great time once again. I spent it with the Fier Boys. I'd like to say that we won the truck. But it didn't happen. Oh well, there's always next year. I hope that everyone out there had a great time. And if you missed it, I hope you plan on making the trip next year. Hats off to all those people that worked so hard to pull it off. It was a great contest!! P.S. I think I hear those big Red Lake crappies calling to me. I might just have to seek up there this next week. Take care until next week!
Name: John Blong Brainerd_Area1-16-03 Last week's cold snap has made all the lakes in the Brainerd Area safe for driving. The only exception is the Black Hole on 371 Bay of North Long Lake. For some reason there's a big stretch of lake that just doesn't seem to want to freeze over. It's been the talk of the town. Everything from space junk falling from the sky, to the earth cracking below the lake. It sure has been fun reading all the theories in the letters to the Editor this last week. All I know is that with the exception of the Black Hole, you can drive anyplace you want to with a truck right now. The crappie bit has slowed with the below zero nights that we've been having this last week. The best bets are still Upper Cullen, Gladstone, North Long, Gull, Upper Gull, and Lake Hubert. The bulk of the fish are still suspended near shore points, located close to deep water. They're just not as active as before. Smaller baits with wax worms have been producing better than larger jigs with minnows. The walleye action has also slowed in the Brainerd Lakes Area this last week. Gull, North Long, Pelican and Lake Edwards are still producing, but the size has fallen off from the previous weeks. Getting away from the crowds has still been a key. Most of the fish taken this last week were caught in deeper water. With 32 to 45 feet of water being the most productive depth. The deep water Islands and saddle areas have been producing the most fish. A shiner minnow on a tip-up has been a tough combination to beat. The Jaycee's Ice tourney is coming this weekend on the 18th. Support a good cause and have a great day in the process!! I hope to see you out there. I'll be fishing on the North End of Polk's Flat in 35-50 feet of water. (along with 10 thousand other guys!!) Take care until next week!! Name: addison Brainerd_Arealooking for a report on ten mile and women lake Name: John Blong Brainerd_Area1-07-03 Most of the Brainerd Lakes have 10-15 inches of ice, and with only 1-2 inches of snow, a small car or truck can get to just about anyplace on most lakes. What a great winter for ice fishing. The crappie bit has been strong on most of the Brainerd Lakes. Top producers have been Upper Cullen, Gladstone, North Long, Gull, Upper Gull, and Lake Hubert. The bulk of the fish are suspended near shore points, located close to deep water. Most of the crappies have been in 20-34 feet of water. Punch a bunch of holes and use your electronics to spot these suspended fish. During the day the crappies will be closer to the bottom. Evening and early morning light conditions will cause the fish to rise up and become more active. Glowing demons tipped with small crappie minnows have produced several nice catches this week. The walleye action is still strong in Brainerd Lakes Area. Gull, North Long, Pelican and Lake Edwards on been producing good size along with numbers. The community spots have slowed with the truck traffic so staying mobile has been a key. But with the great ice conditions, this has not been a problem. Most of the fish are being taken in 16 to 35 feet of water. Deep water Islands have been key locations. Shiner minnows on continue to out produces most other baits. The Jaycee's Ice tourney is coming this month on the 18th. Support a good cause and have a great day in the process!! Take care until next week!! P.S. How about a Brainerd Guide Gift certificate this year for that special someone 12-27-02 The report that I'm passing on is a collection of reports from friends of mine that fished over the weekend. The action on Round Lake was consistent in 25-30 feet of water for some nice sized Crappies. I'd like to tell you more, but then I'd be in trouble. The walleye's can still be catch in the last few hours of daylight on Gull, Pelican, North Long, Edwards, and Round Lake. The key depths have been in 25- 35 feet of water. Islands, points, and depth water saddles have been producing the most fish. From the guys that I talked to, it seems that the dead stick approach with a shiner minnow is still out producing other methods. A word of warning if your driving your trucks on the
ice. Be watchful of the pressure ridges when you're out on the lake. The
was an accident this last week on Farm Island lake where two individuals
lost their lives when their truck went through the ice after hitting an
ice ridge.
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