The Brainerd Lakes Area is heating up and so is the fishing! Ice is out on our lakes and crappie fishing has been awesome! Crappies have been staying in areas adjacent to spawning habit, such a steep breaks, holes and flats in 8-15ft of water. Drive around areas near spawning habitat or sunken wood until you see schools, or check shaded areas such as docks/bridges/boat lifts and fish the schools. Two main approaches for early spring crappies are jig/plastic or bobber/minnow presentations. We opted for using Lindy Fatboy Tungsten Jigs and Mister Twister Sassy Stingum plastics to catch our fish! We found a large school, anchor-locked on the school, and either vertically jigged them or pitched at the school. Sunfish are near these same areas and will hit a wax worm tipped on a small lead or tungsten jig; slip or attached floats/bobbers will catch fish.
You can target catfish in the area as well and I’ve heard limited reports at this time, but fish are catchable in current seams with cut bait and a weighted rig.
We are really excited for this upcoming weekend which begins the opening seasons of walleyes, northern pike and catch/release bass for the 2023 MN Fishing Opener!! Our focus will be 2-15ft of water, and casting jig/minnow, jig/plastic combos or stickbaits (Smithwick Rogues). Stay tuned for big fish reports and pictures!
What a fun time with friends and family!
Good luck, stay safe and Happy Hawg Hunting!
