Just like that Summer is officially here in the B.L.A!! We went from parkas and hand warmers to t-shirts and shorts in the boat! Highs were in the 50s last week and now it’s 80s every day!

Fishing has been a little bit up and down with the weather. With the water temps warming everyday now, the fish are starting to get active. On days with some wind, WALLEYES can be caught on Gull, North long, and Pelican in 8-18 feet on jigs and minnows and even starting to catch them on bobbers and leeches. CRAPPIES are now spawning in the shallow reeds, 3-7 feet -using a small jig and crappie minnows, wax worms or small plastics – Gull, whitefish and lower Cullen have been the best! SUNFISH are still pre-spawn in the 6-8 foot cabbage beds and they are ultra aggressive! BASS action has been great using chatter baits and crank baits and night crawlers on North long, Gull and Round in 2-10 feet of water which is turning good numbers and size!

Now is the time to book that guided trip you’ve been thinking about, the next few weeks should be excellent for all species! Stop by S and W Bait or give us a call at 218-829-7010!

Windy and Cold! Those two words are what describe the Minnesota Fishing Opener of 2026, with temps in the 40s and winds blowing 15-30 MPH, it made for a challenging weekend of fishing. WALLEYE fishing was tough, with these conditions and cold water temps and persistence there were some decent catches using a jig/minnow combination on Gull, Pelican and North Long lakes in 4-12 feet of water which produced some fish. The CRAPPIE bite was sporadic as the pre-spawn fish are trying to move shallow but with water temps still hanging around 50 degrees they are still hanging in the 4-10 foot range. BASS can be triggered in those same areas on most B.L.A lakes.
The good news is each day our temps are climbing and the bite is improving. Now is the time to book a guided fishing trip! As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the fishing should be great!
Give S and W a call at 218-829-7010 to get the latest updates and book a trip!

With the Minnesota fishing opener just days away, the EXCITEMENT is building! While recent days have been cold, more like mid-March, the weekend looks wonderful! Here’s what opener 2026 will look like and some tips for a successful fishing trip!

WALLEYES should be shallow. Targeting wind swept shorelines with a jig/minnow should get you fish! 3-10 feet, on lakes like Gull, Pelican, and Round will be a good bet. NORTHERNS will be in many of the same areas, so you should catch those as well. The CRAPPIE bite continues to be good, in the 2-8 feet range where they are really staying before they spawn in a few weeks, a small jig under a bobber with a crappie minnow or plastic is all you should need – Gull, Whitefish, and Pelican are all kicking out nice crappies now. Catch and Release BASS fishing is also an option, spinner baits and chatter baits are turning fish on most Brainerd area lakes in 2-8 feet as well!

Make sure to stop and get your bait at S and W and go out and enjoy the “Unofficial kick OFF” to summer in the B.L.A!!!
Call and book your trips now at 218-829-7010!!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND HAVE FUN!

Hello spring! With the Fishing Opener just less than two weeks away, the excitement is building at the bait shop and with our guides! The ice is OFFICIALLY OFF the lakes in the BLA and now is the time to get new line on your reels, get the boat ready to roll, and the fish are waiting!

Crappies are just getting started and it should be good for the coming weeks. The panfish are staying in or near shallower water now, most fish are still in that 8-12’ range but will be moving shallow soon!
The walleye spawn is about over and they should be hungry and ready to bite come May 9th opener!

Book a trip or swing by S and w bait to get the latest update, Call 218-829-7010!!