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!