Fishing for Panfish in the Brainerd Lakes Area

Minnesota's lakes are filled with many varieties of fish, and with so many options, most people fish for the popular walleye.   Panfish can be just as fun to catch, and even better tasting than walleye.  Most people think of catching sunfish as a child's activity, but when the walleye bite slows down, it can be a lot of fun to target sunfish and crappies.

An evening's catch of sunfish

perfect setting for sunfish

The only gear needed for catching panfish is a lightweight rod and reel, bobbers, and a hook with a crawler. Most of the panfish we have been catching lately are up in the lily pads in 4-6 ft. of water.  The best part of catching these fish is they are usually more abundant than walleye, and fight a great deal even if they are not as large as most targeted species of fish.

I like to dip them in Cajun Fry Magic and fry them in hot oil.  I make a homemade tarter sauce and put some butter on the hot fillets. They go well with a cold beverage and some deep fried home fries.   The enjoyment of catching and cleaning panfish has me hooked!

Brainerd Lakes Area Fishing Report

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA 
Walleyes are hitting leeches and crawlers on the north end of Gull Lake in 12 to 24 feet and North Long Lake in 18 to 28 feet. Sunfish continue to be found shallow on Round Lake, Nisswa Lake, and North Long. Bass and northern pike are hitting on the weedlines of Gull, North Long, and Whitefish Lake.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League  (218) 829-7010

Catching and Eating Fish with Black Spots

Here is some information on the black spots found on some fish caught in the Brainerd Lakes Area.  I have always wondered and found this information on a Minnesota Fishing Forum:
"The "Black spots" are caused by a trematode worm. The worms live in the digestive track of fish-eating birds which is where they lay eggs. The bird defecates passing the eggs into the water, the eggs hatch in the water turning into larvae called "miracidiae". The larvae burrows into a snail and eventually into the snails liver. After 6 weeks of living in the snails liver the larvae turns into "cercariae" and returns to the water. The "cercariae" swim around until they locate a fish, then burrow into the fish and the "black spot" forms as the fish heals and new tissue covers the cyst tissue. THE BLACK SPOTS CANNOT AFFECT HUMANS. "

Brainerd Lakes Area Fishing Report

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA 

Walleyes have hit shiner minnows or leeches best during the evening hours in 13 to 25 feet on Gull Lake, North Long Lake, and Round Lake. Look for crappies in 8 to 13 feet on Lake Edward, Cullen Lake, and North Long. Sunfish and bass are shallow and active on all lakes.

S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League  (218) 829-7010

Brainerd Lakes Area Live Music: June 2-8, 2016

Live Music - June 2


By BRAINERD DISPATCH on Jun 1, 2016 at 9:21 p.m.



For week of June 2-8 bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.



BRAINERD

Eagles Club

124 Front St.
ADVERTISING

Artisan, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday; $5 for all dances for non-Eagle members.

Last Turn Saloon

215 S. Sixth St.

Open Mic, Wednesday (sign-up, 6:30 p.m.)

Bluegrass Jam, 6:30-8 p.m. every first, third and fifth Thursday of the month.

Liquor Pigz

718 Laurel St.

Karaoke, 10 p.m. every Wednesday

Jam session/open mic, 9 p.m. every Sunday

Shep's on Sixth

315 S. Sixth St.

DJ, every Friday-Saturday in Elbow Room

St. Mathias Bar and Grill

4640 County Road 121

Big T karaoke and dj, Saturday

BREEZY POINT

Commander Bar

30279 Airport Road

Six to Midnight Band, 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday

JJ'S Pub

Downstairs of the Commander

Mark Stary, 5-9 p.m. Saturday

CROSBY

The Bridge Tavern

26929 Highway 6

Live music every Friday; Classic Country Dinner Theater, 4-8 p.m. Sunday

Brainerd Lakes Area Fishing Report

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
The majority of walleyes are being caught on minnows in 15 to 25 feet on Gull Lake and North Long Lake during the morning and evening hours. Crappies are being found in the emerging weedbeds over 4 to 8 feet on North Long, Round Lake, and Nisswa Lake. Bass are an easy catch on most lakes in less than 6 feet, and northern pike are hitting on the south end of Gull and Whitefish Lake in 15 to 18 feet.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League  (218) 829-7010