Ice-Out Within Two Weeks
River Smallmouth Active · Stream Trout Opens Apr 11 · Opener 34 Days Out
⚠️ Ice-Out Expected Within Two Weeks — Stay Off the Ice
Ice is in full recession across all Brainerd area lakes as of April 5. Shore leads are opening, ice is honeycombed and in poor condition throughout, and conditions are dangerous. Do not go on the ice. Ice-out on most area lakes is expected within the next two weeks depending on temperatures. Shift your attention to area rivers for smallmouth bass, get ready for the stream trout opener on Saturday, April 11, and start planning for the Minnesota Walleye Opener on May 9, 2026. Check with local bait shops for daily river and access updates.
Lake-by-Lake Reports
Sun Apr 5 – Sat Apr 11Gull Lake ice is in full deterioration this week — shore leads are open on most sides and the remaining ice sheet is in poor condition and honeycombed throughout. Do not go on the ice. Ice-out is expected within the next 10–14 days depending on temperatures. Shore anglers are beginning to pick up panfish from accessible points as water temperatures creep up.
The big news for the Gull Lake system is what happens after ice-out. The Whitefish Chain and connected waters will open quickly to panfish and bass. Now is the time to prep your open-water gear — walleye, pike, and walleye season opens May 9.
Pelican Lake ice is going out — shore leads are forming and the remaining ice is unsafe. Stay off the ice. Ice-out is anticipated within 10–14 days. Pelican has historically been one of the better perch lakes in the area, and once open water arrives, expect quick action near weed edges and sandy flats.
Call Breezy Point area shops for daily updates on access and conditions. Now is a great time to rig up your walleye and perch open-water setups ahead of ice-out.
Whitefish Lake ice is deteriorating rapidly. Shore leads are open and the remaining ice is in poor condition. Do not go on the ice. Ice-out on Whitefish and the Chain is anticipated within the next 10–14 days. This lake is known for excellent crappie fishing early in the open-water season — once the ice goes, panfish anglers should expect great action quickly.
Reminder: The Whitefish Chain crappie and sunfish limit is 5 fish per day — know it before you keep fish post-ice-out.
North Long Lake ice is unsafe and going out. Shore leads are open and ice quality is poor throughout. Stay off the ice entirely. Ice-out expected within two weeks. North Long is a lower-pressure option that tends to fish well for perch and walleye once it opens. Worth checking back after ice-out for early season access.
Round Lake ice is in poor condition and going out — do not access the ice. Shore leads are forming. Ice-out expected within two weeks. Round Lake had an excellent late-ice panfish bite; expect that momentum to carry into the open-water season early. Sunnies and bluegills should be very accessible from shore soon after ice-out near weed edges and points.
Edwards Lake is in the same boat as the rest of the area — ice is poor quality and unsafe. Do not go on the ice. Ice-out within two weeks. Edwards has historically produced well for walleye and panfish early in the open-water season. A low-pressure option worth keeping on your radar once open water arrives.
While area lakes wait on ice-out, the rivers are already open and offering one of the most underrated fishing opportunities of the spring season: smallmouth bass. The Mississippi, Crow Wing, Pine, and Rum Rivers all hold good populations of smallmouth, and pre-spawn fish are beginning to stage in deeper eddies and along rocky structure as water temperatures climb toward the mid-40s.
Target deep pools, current seams, and the downstream edges of large boulders. Smallmouth in rivers will be slower than their summer selves but will respond to well-presented baits worked slowly. Tube jigs, small jig-and-minnow combos, and curly tail grubs in natural colors — brown, green pumpkin, smoke — are the go-to presentations. Fish them on a 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig head and crawl them along the bottom through likely holding water.
The Crow Wing River from Pillager down to its confluence with the Mississippi offers excellent wade fishing access in several stretches. The Mississippi around the Brainerd/Baxter area also has strong smallmouth populations in the deeper rocky runs. Always check with a local bait shop for current river levels and access points — spring runoff can raise and muddy rivers quickly after rain.
Regulations: Smallmouth bass are currently catch-and-release only on inland Minnesota waters. Harvest season opens mid-May — exact date varies by water. Confirm with the MN DNR for each river you plan to fish.
Species Detail
Bait & DepthTransition Week Tactics
Ice-Out TipsLakes are going out but rivers are already open. The Mississippi, Crow Wing, Pine, and Rum Rivers all have good smallmouth bass populations that are actively staging in deeper pools and rocky eddies right now. This is some of the best and most overlooked fishing of the year in the Brainerd area.
Cold water smallmouth are lethargic compared to summer fish. Work your tube jig or curly tail very slowly along the bottom through likely holding water. Let it sit. A fish may follow for several seconds before committing. The bite is subtle — watch your line and stay patient.
The statewide inland stream trout season opens Saturday, April 11. That's less than a week away. Scout your stream now (catch-and-release only until then), confirm it's on the MN DNR designated trout water list, check for any special regulations (some streams are fly-only), and make sure you have the right gear.
Even if you can see ice from shore, it is not safe. Poor-quality spring ice looks solid but is honeycombed throughout and collapses without warning. The risk-reward is not there — ice-out is days away. Spend this time fishing the rivers instead of risking your life for a lake that will be open in two weeks.
Within a few days of ice-out, panfish and perch move into the shallows to warm up in the first open water of the year. This is one of the best times to catch a bunch of sunnies and crappies from shore. Simple slip bobber and wax worm near weed edges is all you need. Water temps in the high 30s to low 40s — fish are hungry after a long winter.
The Minnesota Walleye Opener is Saturday, May 9, 2026 — just 34 days away. Use this downtime well. Respool your reels with fresh line, inspect your rods, restock jigs and live bait rigs, and if you're planning a Gull Lake opener trip, book a guide or pick your spot early. The best spots fill up fast.
7-Day Fishing Outlook
Regulations Reminder
April 2026⚖️ Know Before You Go
- Ice Safety: Stay off the ice. All area lakes are in ice-out mode — ice is in poor condition and dangerous regardless of appearance. Ice-out expected within two weeks.
- Stream Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow): Harvest season opens Saturday, April 11, 2026 on statewide inland streams. Catch-and-release only until then. Verify designated trout waters and special regulations (some streams are fly-only) with the MN DNR.
- River Smallmouth Bass: Open to fishing now — catch and release only. Harvest season opens mid-May. Confirm exact date with MN DNR for each specific river.
- Walleye & Sauger: Closed on most Brainerd area lakes. Season reopens Saturday, May 9, 2026.
- Northern Pike: Closed on most Brainerd area lakes. Season reopens Saturday, May 9, 2026. Verify for each lake with the MN DNR.
- Lake Trout: Open on most designated inland trout lakes through October 31. Exception: Allen Lake and Pleasant Lake (Crow Wing County) are closed for the winter season. With ice going out, open-water access is coming soon. 2-fish daily limit on most MN waters. Always verify with MN DNR for your specific lake.
- Bass (Largemouth & Smallmouth): Year-round catch-and-release season in effect statewide (new for 2026). Harvest season opens mid-May. All bass must be released immediately until then.
- Yellow Perch on Mille Lacs: Reduced to 5 fish per day. Most other Brainerd area lakes remain at 25 per day.