The Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota has ice!
Brainerd, MN— We’re seeing lakes with up to five inches of ice and others with open water, so this is a great time to exercise your best judgment and ice safety rules.
Early ice panfish! Panfish consist of crappies, bluegills/sunfish, rock bass, perch and more; though we’ll primarily focus on crappies, sunfish and perch. These species are commonly found in shallower water or weedy bays which are usually the first areas to freeze, including small, shallow lakes.
Bluegills/Sunfish
Locations: Large weed flats, weedy bays with a moderate depth/deeper holes, weeds near deep water entering a bay, muddy basin under 25ft.
Depth: 5-12ft average
Tactics: Small ice jig/wax worm or 5mm Tungsten jig/red spike jigging near or in weeds 2ft from bottom. Drill multiple holes in and around weeds to find fish, jig for 10-15 minutes in each hole before moving to the next location.
Locations: Large weed flats, weedy bays with a moderate depth/deeper holes, weeds near deep water entering a bay, muddy basin under 25ft.
Depth: 5-12ft average
Tactics: Small ice jig/wax worm or 5mm Tungsten jig/red spike jigging near or in weeds 2ft from bottom. Drill multiple holes in and around weeds to find fish, jig for 10-15 minutes in each hole before moving to the next location.
Crappies
Locations: Deep bays, green cabbage/weed beds adjacent to holes or deep water near a bay, suspended in the basin.
Depth: 8-15ft or 12-25ft (suspended depth)
Tactics: 1/16oz or 1/8oz Lindy Quiver spoons or Frostee Spoon tipped with wax worms; 7mm Tungsten jig/Mister Twister Sassy Stingum. Jig above schools or mid-range in the water column in clear bodies of water to draw fish in.
Locations: Deep bays, green cabbage/weed beds adjacent to holes or deep water near a bay, suspended in the basin.
Depth: 8-15ft or 12-25ft (suspended depth)
Tactics: 1/16oz or 1/8oz Lindy Quiver spoons or Frostee Spoon tipped with wax worms; 7mm Tungsten jig/Mister Twister Sassy Stingum. Jig above schools or mid-range in the water column in clear bodies of water to draw fish in.
Perch
Locations: Sandy bottom areas, bays with sporadic weeds/hard bottom.
Depth: 7-16ft
Tactics: Small tungsten/5mm jigs tipped with red spikes, small spoons (1/32oz tipped with wax worm), small shiver minnow/crystal reaper. Jig throughout the water column, make frequent contact with the bottom to stir up the bottom and often triggering bites from larger perch.
Locations: Sandy bottom areas, bays with sporadic weeds/hard bottom.
Depth: 7-16ft
Tactics: Small tungsten/5mm jigs tipped with red spikes, small spoons (1/32oz tipped with wax worm), small shiver minnow/crystal reaper. Jig throughout the water column, make frequent contact with the bottom to stir up the bottom and often triggering bites from larger perch.
We will have more early ice reports for more species in the Brainerd Lakes Area, and ice growth in the area as well!If you’re wondering where and how to fish the Brainerd Lakes Area or Mille Lacs Lake, tune in to Visit Brainerd for weekly fishing reports by Hawg Hunterz Guide Service LLC. Check Hawg Hunterz Guide Service LLC out on YouTube too. As always, have fun, stay safe and Happy Hawg Hunting!!
