Brainerd Fishing Report: July 18, 2022

Brainerd, MN—The Brainerd Lakes Area has been seeing lake temperatures reach over 75 degrees F and the fishing has been mostly “hit” with a little “miss.” Walleyes are in summer patterns! Fish continue to frequent weeds on sandy flats, steep weed lines and mid-lake humps. We have been catching most of our walleyes on slip bobber/leech or jig/minnow combos; and this is also a good time to start rigging crawlers and use reaction-style lures, such as jigging raps or shiver minnows. Main depths include 21-30 feet for high sun/midday periods and 16-24 feet at low-light/windy/overcast periods. After dark, longline trolling shallow-running crankbaits in 5-12 feet continues to produce walleyes of various sizes. Panfish continue to roam the shallows, and moving out to weed flats/weed lines. We have been doing well on multiple species by covering/trolling weed lines and big weed flats. Try trolling spinner rigs with artificial soft plastics or tipping small jigs with soft plastics or leeches/minnows/worms in 6-15 feet. Largemouth bass have been active in weed flats and weed lines in 6-15 feet or deep weeds. On Mille Lacs, target fish on transition areas where hard bottom and soft bottom meet in 22-28 feet, or edges of mud flats with a slip bobber and leech for walleyes. Slide on top of rock reefs in 4-16 feet for smallmouth bass. Have fun, stay safe and Happy Hawg Hunting!