Minnesota fishing guide Dustin Monson of Hawg Hunterz Guide Service gives his latest Brainerd fishing report on April 25th, 2024.
Brainerd Fishing Report: 4-25-2024
An increase in temperatures forecasted for the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota means hungry fish! Crappies are on the menu and guide season is in full swing! Species such as sunfish, crappies, perch and channel catfish could be targeted as seasons are open year-round in Minnesota.
Crappies: Brainerd Fishing Report
Panfish continue roaming shallow weed flats, channels, bays and areas near pencil reeds in four to fourteen feet of water, but the fish have been within a couple feet of the surface This past week they pushed deeper but will be moving shallower with this warming trend.
We found crappies on the edges of weeds, bays, channels and near the warmest water in the bodies of water we fished.
Anglers can catch crappies on jigs under a float paired with plastics, minnows, or hair. Move the bobber slightly to elicit bites. If they do get finicky crappie minnows are also worth having.
We opt for using Lindy Fatboy Tungsten Jigs and Mister Twister Sassy Stingum plastics or Lindy Hair Jigs to catch our fish on most outings.
Catfish: Brainerd Fishing Report
You can fish for channel catfish in the Brainerd Lakes Area from shore, boat, or fishing piers.
The best areas to catch channel catfish are below the Brainerd Dam/Potlatch, Kiwanis Park, French Rapids, Green Point or Sylvan Dam (Crow Wing River).
There are several rigs and ways to catch catfish.
The best one has been with a 1-ounce weight about one or two feet above the hook. Pair that with either worms/nightcrawlers, cutbait, deadbait, sucker minnows or chicken liver on about a 1/0 octopus hook.
In a boat, you can often jig for them vertically in holes and behind slack-water breaks in current. I’ll usually let the current determine my jig weight but 1/2-ounce is a good starting point.
When shore fishing, I will often use a medium-heavy spinning rod with a medium to large sized spinning reel spooled with thirty to fifty pound braided line.
Trout: Brainerd Fishing Report
Stream trout fishing opened on April 13, 2024, which offers additional fishing opportunities in the area.
Target trout with spinners and small crankbaits. A nightcrawler under a float with also work great for trout.
