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A satisfied FishingMinnesota member says,
"Business has been very good. We're filling the cabins, and also our RV overflow sites. Some have mentioned your site. Thanks for your help!"

It's been a great couple of weeks of fishing since my last report. In general, water temps are coming up nicely now. I'm seeing upper 60's in the big water main lakes, and low 70's back in the bays. The hot, calm, stable weather has been nice to fish in, and it has opened up the door for sight fishing many species, which has been really fun. Don't know about you, but I've gotten somewhat used to it being windy all the time. This week of calm weather has really been a treat!

Bass fishing has been fabulous all over the Brainerd area. We've been getting them up shallow with scum frogs, mid depth with spinnerbaits, and out on the weedline with jigs and plastic worms. We've gotten some nice largemouth, but the smallmouth have been just awesome. We boated some fish this week up to 21 inches. Some fish (smallies) are still bedded, but lots of cruisers out there as well. We're getting the smallies on x-raps, and jigs.

We've been picking up lots of pike on the area lakes as well, mostly using spinnerbaits on the weedlines. Quite a number of northerns in the 5-10# class, which is definitely above average.

Walleye fishing has been phenominal...I've been spending most of my time over on Mille Lacs. We've been getting the eyes all over the lake...gravel, mud, sand, and even bullrushes. We've gotten some fish on the mud flats rigging, but have been doing the best with slip bobbers. Shermans Flat was great yesterday for us. Our best walleye bite has been in the weeds, with everything from jigs to rapalas to musky jerk baits. We've even been sight fishing some fish way up shallow on the sand and in the bullrushes. Don't expect to catch much to eat over there, but if you want to catch a bunch of really nice fish, Mille Lacs is the place to be. 40+ walleyes in the past two days, and not one under 22".

Unfortunately, musky fishing is still really slow. Pretty much everyone I talk to is seeing a fish here and there, but not much for takers. They're going to cut loose one of these days soon. Who knows, maybe it will be another Leech Lake rampage all over again?

Tim Anderson
Big Fish Hunt
by Jason Erlandson
July 10, 2008

Finally a couple of days to recover from the wild July 4th week. It was absolutely crazy, I don't recall seeing that many people ever. I think it is a good sign for the summer ahead. People still want to have a great time, and I don't believe there is anywhere that I would rather be than right here in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes area. The bait shop has been a busy place this season and most anglers seem to be happy. We are still catching a few walleyes on Gull Lake. The fish that are out there are small but they are active. So if you want to catch a few eaters, Gull Lake is the place to try. For quality fish I would head to Pelican, Round, or Lake Edwards. The daytime bite is a bit slower but the walleyes are biting better in the morning and evenings. I don't think that you can beat a lively redtail chub right now, it seems to be the only way to fend off the rock bass. Everything is staying close to the weeds, the best depths have been 10-18 feet.

The bass bite has been outrageous. We are blessed to live in largemouth bass heaven. We have so many great lakes for bass, just take your pick and go. They are hitting a variety of baits. If you like live bait it is tough to beat a leech, but minnows like a redtail, small sucker minnow, or a fathead can really produce. Some of the best artificials are spinnerbaits, jigs n plastic worms, senko worms, buzzbaits, rattlin rapalas, or swim jigs. The pike action is starting pick up after a slow start to the season. Trolling is the best option now for bigger pike. Some good baits are spinnerbaits, spinner rigs and minnows, or deep diving crankbaits. Big pike like cooler water so look a little deeper. Try trolling the 20-30 foot depths. The weedlines will also hold aggressive pike but they tend to be the smaller ones.

The crappie action is starting to pick up this week. Some of the hot spots are Wilson Bay on Gull, Upper Gull, Hubert, and Lake Margaret. Troll or cast the weedlines in the evening hours. The best time to be out there is from 7:00 pm until sunset. The panfish are leaving the shallows now. Look for the bluegills to be hitting in 10-12 feet of water.

Jason Erlandson
Sportland Bait

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(218) 829-7010
4977 Hwy 371 N
Brainerd MN 56401