Minnesota fishing guide Dustin Monson of Hawg Hunterz Guide Service gives his latest Buzz Bite report for the Brainerd Lakes Area on October 17th, 2023.
Brainerd Lakes Area: 10-17-2023
The fall bite is in full swing in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Walleyes continue moving around mid-lake humps, flats, points and inside turns in 10-22ft. Check steeper edges near weeds/weed flats down to around 30ft if you’re not seeing fish in the “shallows. Many fish are inside weedlines and on top of weed flats.
Our go-to presentations has been rigging/jigging creek chubs with a 1/4oz or 1/2oz sinker or jigging fathead minnows. Anglers can catch walleyes on jigs in blue/glow, chartreuse or gold (1/8oz or 1/4oz).
Some fish are still hitting night crawler/slip bobber presentations too; slip bobbers and crawlers have been producing fish in schools around 10-15ft.
Ripping reaction baits are next in line if those presentations aren’t producing.
Crappies have been schooled up and can be found roaming bays, basins and weeds. Find them on steep breaks, holes and flats in 15 to 26ft of water.
Small jigs paired with plastics and minnow profile reactionary baits are working great for crappies.
Smallmouth bass are schooling up and hitting various presentations such as a War Eagle 1/8oz worm jig/Mister Twister 3″ Ned Ringer, jerkbaits, crawlers under a slip float, Mepps XD or Booyah Pranks in 5-15ft; slip more into 12-20ft rocks/edges during the day. Many fish have been smashing creek chubs on rigs as well.
Catch bass and northern pike in bays and inside weedlines in 8-22ft on jig/minnow, soft plastic or wacky worm variations; drop shot techniques for bass are also effective.
The fishing has been great if you would like to get out feel free to reach out via email or cell phone.
Get out an enjoy that last month of the open water season! Good luck, stay safe and Happy Hawg Hunting!
-Dustin Monson
320-293-2442
