Minnesota guide Dustin Monson of Hawg Hunterz Guide Service gives his latest Buzz Bite Report for the Brainerd Lakes Area in December 15th, 2023.
Brainerd Lakes Area: 12-15-2023
The fishing are biting in the Brainerd Lakes area but there is a limited amount of good ice. Many lakes in the area have iced over though most of the large lakes and channels are still open, or thin and dangerous.
I’ve continued the lookout for small, shallow lakes (under 500 acres) with as much as 6” of ‘safer ice’ to walk on and fish.
On smaller, shallower bodies of water panfish, bass, and northern pike can be found in weedy bays and shallow basins.
Catch crappies in bays and weedy shorelines under 12ft of water. Most of the fish are coming in suspended so jig higher in the water column.
They can be caught on a number of different presentations, but a few that are really working right now are 1/16-ounce or 1/32-ounce tungsten jig tipped with a wax worm or 1/16-ounce Lindy Frostee spoon.
Aggressive jigging will bring schools in, although it’s a good idea to drill several holes and jig at least 10-15 minutes in each hole before moving to the next hole or spot due to the movement of fish during early ice.
Bluegills have been hitting tungsten jigs tipped with the tail end of a Mister Twister Sassy Stingum or wax worm.
Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows and spoons tipped with a minnow head. We are jigging high in the water column and set lines are above the weeds in 6-12 feet of water.
Walleyes are active at low light periods and cruising the shallows during the day. Walleyes are hitting minnows/livebait presentations or spoons tipped with a minnow head jigged near bottom in 8-13ft of water.
