4 Hour Brainerd Open Water Fishing
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target walleye, northern pike, and crappie on guided tripsFish from fully equipped Lund boat with advanced electronicsMorning and afternoon departures accommodate up to 5 guests
The Brainerd Lakes Area is legendary among Minnesota anglers, and for good reason. These productive waters hold some of the state's best multi-species fishing, where you can target walleye, northern pike, bass, crappie, and rainbow trout all in the same trip. Our top-rated 4-hour guided fishing experience puts you right in the action with morning departures at 8:00 AM or afternoon trips starting at 3:00 PM. You'll fish from a fully equipped Lund Tyee boat with all the bells and whistles, including advanced Garmin electronics and live scope technology that gives us a serious edge on finding fish. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned angler looking to dial in new techniques, Guide Dustin customizes every trip to match your skill level and fishing goals.
Your half-day adventure starts with a quick meet-and-greet where we'll talk through the game plan based on current conditions and what species are biting best. The beauty of Brainerd's interconnected lake system is the variety – we might start working weed edges for northern pike in the morning, then shift to deeper structure for walleye as the day progresses. Our Lund Tyee is set up perfectly for this kind of versatile fishing, with plenty of room for up to 3 guests to fish comfortably without getting tangled up in each other's lines. The boat comes loaded with premium rods and reels matched to proven local setups, so you don't need to worry about bringing gear unless you want to fish your own favorites. We'll move around to hit the hot spots, and with our advanced electronics, we can see exactly what's happening below before we even drop a line. This isn't a sit-and-wait kind of trip – we're actively hunting fish and adjusting tactics throughout the day to keep you connected to the best action.
The real game-changer on our trips is the combination of local knowledge and cutting-edge technology. Our Garmin live scope lets us watch fish in real-time, so we can see how they're responding to different presentations and adjust on the fly. For walleye, we'll often start with a classic jig and minnow setup, but don't be surprised if we switch to pulling spinners or even vertical jigging depending on what the fish are telling us. Northern pike fishing gets exciting with both casting and trolling techniques – there's nothing quite like watching a big northern slam a spoon right at the boat. When we're targeting crappie, we'll focus on structure and use lighter tackle that lets you feel every nibble. The bass fishing here can be world-class, especially around rocky points and weed lines where we'll work everything from soft plastics to topwater baits. Guide Dustin has been fishing these waters for years and knows exactly which techniques produce in different seasons and weather conditions. He'll teach you the local tricks that make the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
The Brainerd Lakes Area serves up some of Minnesota's most sought-after freshwater species, each with their own personality and fight characteristics. Largemouth bass are the crowd-pleasers here, with fish regularly hitting the 3-5 pound range and the occasional trophy pushing 6 pounds or more. These bass love the abundant weed growth and rocky structure throughout the lake system, making them accessible with both finesse and power techniques. Spring and early summer are prime time when they're aggressive and feeding heavily in the shallows. Crappie fishing is a customer favorite, especially for families, since these scrappy panfish are willing biters and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. The lakes hold both black and white crappie, with fish typically running 10-12 inches and some slabs pushing 14 inches. They school up around brush piles and drop-offs, making them perfect targets for our electronics.
Walleye are the bread and butter of Minnesota fishing, and the Brainerd area consistently produces quality fish in that sweet spot of 15-20 inches with plenty of keepers for the frying pan. These fish are most active during low-light periods, which is why our early morning and late afternoon trips time out perfectly. They're structure-oriented and love rocky points, weed edges, and drop-offs where we can target them with precision. Rainbow trout add an exciting twist to the mix – these hard-fighting fish are stocked regularly and provide non-stop action when we find them. They're especially active in cooler water and will hit everything from small spoons to live bait. Northern pike are the apex predators in these waters, and tangling with a 30+ inch pike is something every angler should experience. These toothy critters ambush prey from weed beds and can absolutely destroy a bait when they're fired up. They're most active during spring and fall but can be caught year-round with the right approach.
This 4-hour Brainerd fishing trip hits the sweet spot for anglers who want quality time on the water without committing to a full day. You'll get hands-on instruction, fish multiple techniques, and have a real shot at several different species all while leaving plenty of time for other vacation activities. The morning trips are perfect for beating the heat and catching the early bite, while afternoon departures let you sleep in and still get out when the fish are feeding. Just remember to grab your Minnesota fishing license beforehand, pack some snacks and drinks, and dress for the weather – we fish rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe. With Guide Dustin's local expertise and our top-notch boat setup, you're in for a memorable day on some of Minnesota's best fishing waters. These trips fill up fast during peak season, so don't wait to secure your dates for what could be your best fishing experience in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Step aboard this well-equipped 20'8" Lund Tyee fiberglass boat and get ready to fish the productive waters of Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes Area. Powered by a 250HP supercharged engine, this spacious fishing platform comfortably handles up to 5 anglers while delivering the performance needed to reach prime fishing spots quickly. The boat comes loaded with serious fishing tech - three live scopes and advanced Garmin electronics that'll help locate walleye, northern pike, and crappie hiding in the depths. A wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when working structure, while the GPS ensures you never lose track of hot spots. Premium rods and reels are ready to go, along with proven local setups that produce results on these lakes. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, while the multimedia system adds convenience during longer runs between spots. Whether you're targeting shallow weed lines or deep water structure, this fully rigged fishing machine has everything needed for a productive day on Minnesota's legendary lakes.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are perfect panfish for families and anyone wanting consistent action. Both black and white crappie swim in our lakes, typically running 7-12 inches and about a half-pound to a pound. These schooling fish love hanging around submerged brush, downed trees, and deeper weed edges in 8-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn, but they bite year-round if you find the schools. What guests love most is how good they taste - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids since they don't fight too hard and bite readily. The key trick I share is once you catch one, work that same area thoroughly. Crappie travel in groups, so where there's one, there's usually a bunch more waiting.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are some of the most exciting fish to target in our area lakes. These green fighters average 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, but their famous oversized mouths and aggressive strikes make them memorable catches. You'll find them around shallow weed beds, fallen timber, and rocky drop-offs during warmer months. They love structure and aren't shy about hitting lures. Bass fishing peaks from late spring through early fall when water temps are in the 60s-70s. What makes them special is that hard fight they put up - lots of jumping and head shaking. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: work your lure slowly around cover and don't set the hook too fast when you feel that first tap - let them really take it.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the apex predators of our lake system and provide some serious thrills. These toothy fighters commonly reach 24-36 inches and 3-8 pounds, with their long, torpedo-shaped bodies built for ambush attacks. Look for them around weed beds, rocky points, and shallow bays where they lurk motionless waiting to strike. Spring and fall are peak times when they're most active in the shallows. What guests love is the explosive strike and hard fight - pike don't give up easy. They're pure adrenaline when they hit your lure. While not everyone keeps them for eating, smaller ones are actually quite good. Here's my key tip: use a steel leader and keep your lure moving with an erratic retrieve. Pike can't resist something that looks wounded, and that stop-and-go action triggers their predator instincts perfectly.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout bring excitement with their acrobatic fights and beautiful colors. These sleek fish typically run 8-16 inches in our stocked lakes, with that distinctive pink stripe along their silvery sides. They prefer cooler, cleaner water and often cruise mid-depths or near drop-offs during warmer weather. Early morning and evening are your best bets, especially in spring and fall when water temps are perfect. What makes trout fishing fun is their aggressive strikes and jumping ability - they'll give you a real show once hooked. Plus, they're delicious with that slightly nutty, mild flavor. The meat is firm and cooks up beautifully. My top tip for success: keep your bait or lure moving at a steady pace about 3-4 feet off bottom. Trout rarely take stationary presentations, so that constant motion is key to triggering strikes.
Sander VitreusWalleye are Minnesota's premier eating fish and a favorite target on our trips. These golden-colored fish with those distinctive glassy eyes typically run 14-20 inches, with bigger ones pushing 4-5 pounds. They prefer rocky bottoms, drop-offs, and weed edges, usually staying in 10-25 feet of water during the day. Low-light periods at dawn and dusk are prime time, especially in spring and fall when they're most active. What makes walleye special is their incredible table quality - firm, mild, white fillets that are perfect for any cooking method. They're also challenging to locate, which makes landing them satisfying. The bite can be subtle, so paying attention to your rod tip is crucial. Here's my local secret: use a slow, steady retrieve with jigs tipped with minnows right along the bottom structure.
Brainerd Lakes