Brainerd Fishing Report: April 26, 2023

Time to get ready for the open water season! Some people dread organizing and preparation, and others love the excitement of new opportunities; and preparing for the open water is just that. Recent snow falls slowed the process of ice deterioration in the Brainerd Lakes Area, but casting a line is possible right now! You can target Channel Catfish on the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers, but be careful as many locations are flooded with high, fast-moving water. Minnesota Fishing Opener is on May 14, 2023; which opens the seasons to target Walleyes, Sauger, and Northern Pike. Anglers are also able to target Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass beginning on the MN Fishing Opener, though the regulation is catch and release only through May 26, 2023. Take A Mom Fishing Weekend is May 13-14, 2023, which means mothers who are residents of Minnesota can fish without a license during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend for species that have an open fishing season.

Cat-fishing can be done from shore, boat or fishing pier; and some common locations for targeting channel catfish in the Brainerd Lakes Area on the Mississippi River include:

Below the “Brainerd Dam”

Kiwanis Park

French Rapids

Green Point

Sylvan Dam (Crow Wing River).

If I’m shore fishing, I will often use a medium-heavy spinning rod with a medium-large spinning reel (sz30-40) spooled with 30-50lb braided line. There are several rigs and ways to catch catfish with a weight about 1-2ft above the hook, and some common baits include worms/nightcrawlers, cutbait/deadbait, sucker minnows or chicken liver on about a 1/0 to size 2 octopus hook. Cast to areas where slack water meets current, eddys or in current where it slows down/breaks. In a boat, you can often jig for them vertically in holes and behind slack-water breaks in current. I’ll usually let the current determine my jig weight but 1/2oz is a good start in this faster current. Practice safe handling as they have sharp spines on their pectoral fins and dorsal fin; I hold them by the tail and under the belly. I’ll keep you updated for the panfish movements as we continue to monitor ice deterioration on many of our lakes.

Now is also a great time to bring your fishing gear from storage for inspection, and complete any maintenance or organization necessary to have a successful season. I check my line for frays or cuts, oil/grease reels as needed and check lures to ensure sharp, rust-free hooks. Check your boat compartments for issues with rodents and use a motor cup flusher to run your outboard with a garden hose prior to entering a boat ramp (this could save embarrassing moments at the ramp when you planned to fish, but pull away with your boat instead). Turn electronics on, familiarize yourself with new electronics/menus and fully charge batteries; this is important as batteries can drain over time.

Good luck, stay safe and happy Hawg Hunting!