Brainerd Lakes Area and Cuyuna/Crosby/Ironton, Minnesota: Last call for inland Rainbow Trout! Inland Rainbow Trout season ends March 31, 2023; and they’re biting along with panfish! We’ve noticed about 20-25 inches of ice in the area, and softer snow on the surface ranging from 8-15 inches, with some slush underneath the snow. Foot travel, ATVs with tracks or chains and snowmobiles recommended.
-Catching crappies and bluegills in basins/holes of 20-30ft (finding fish suspended in the water column); also near/in bays around weeds in 7-12ft; submerged wood is a bonus. Jig crappies with 5mm or 7mm (size 10) Tungsten jigs tipped with a Mister Twister Sassy Stingum or wax worms, 1/16oz Frostee Spoons tipped with wax worms work well too! The same tactics are working for tullibees/ciscoes though jigging in the top 10ft will usually be sufficient for jigging depth over deep basins. “Hole hopping” or drilling multiple holes in varying depths and fishing each hole for about 10-15 minutes has been producing fish. Bluegills continue hitting tungsten jigs tipped with the tail end of a Mister Twister Sassy Stingum or wax worm on weed flats or soft bottom areas in those similar locations; Also, I’ve been finding schools in bays and near fallen trees.
Another great option to target is inland trout (Rainbow, Lake, Brown, and Brook Trout species) in designated trout lakes in the extended Brainerd Lakes Area! Target trout in designated inland trout lakes in similar fashion to tullibees or fish 10-15ft on edges of deep holes jigging a spoon, tungsten jig/small plastic or wax worm, or jigging rap, aggressively. We’ve done well over the basin and focusing just under the ice to 15ft under the ice. (Trout stamp required with license to target trout and fish designated trout lakes).
Dustin Monson
Hawg Hunterz Guide Service LLC
Ph: 320-293-2442
mrhawghunter@hotmail.com
Www.hawghunterzguideservice.weebly.com