Bite Indicator
🎣 Editor's Pick: Lower Cullen Lake (Nisswa) — Bass, Northern Pike & Crappie
We're transitioning into August patterns on the Brainerd Lakes. Water temps remain in the 74–78°F range but slightly cooler weather is helping the bite — fish are becoming more active and accessible than they were at peak heat. Most Brainerd-area lakes have good water clarity right now, which shapes the entire food chain. In clear water, forage species like perch, cisco (tullibee), golden shiners, and small fatheads form the base of the food pyramid — and predators like walleye, pike, and bass are keying on wherever those baitfish concentrate. On deeper clear lakes, tullibee suspend just above the thermocline at 25–30 feet and draw walleye and pike off structure into open water. On shallower, clearer lakes, fish slide to the first or second breakline during daylight and return to weedlines and humps in the morning and afternoon feeding windows. The thermocline is still the primary depth reference — but try weedlines and mid-lake humps during morning and afternoon when cooling weather brings fish shallower. Editor's pick this week: Lower Cullen Lake near Nisswa — part of the Cullen Chain of Lakes in Crow Wing County. Lower Cullen is known for its excellent largemouth bass fishing, with a strong population and fish up to nearly 17 inches confirmed in recent surveys. Northern pike are also present in good numbers, averaging 24.5 inches with 45% in the protected slot and 30% over 26 inches — a quality pike fishery. Walleye enter from connected Middle Cullen, which is stocked, and the fish that make it into Lower Cullen tend to be large (averaging 23" in recent surveys). Crappie and bluegill round out the mix. The slightly cooler weather this week is helping the bite on a lake like this — target largemouth bass along weedline edges and dock structure with a ned rig, weedless jig, or soft plastic swimbait. Pike can be found along deeper weed edges and the mouth of the channel connecting the lakes. Crappies are suspended 10–16 ft — check sonar before dropping a slip bobber and leech. A great lower-pressure alternative to Gull for the week.
Lake-by-Lake Reports
Gull Lake is in August pattern. Walleye and pike are holding near the thermocline at 20–28 ft during low-light on this deep lake (max 108 ft). Morning and afternoon feeding windows bring fish shallower to weedline edges and mid-lake humps in 12–18 ft. Clear water means perch and tullibee are the primary forage — scan open basin areas on sonar for suspended baitfish and walleye won't be far.
A lindy rig with live nightcrawler or leech is the top walleye approach — drag slowly at thermocline depth or over mid-lake humps during feeding windows. Drop shot with a leech when fish are visible on sonar but won't commit. Bass are excellent on crayfish-imitating tube jigs and ned rigs along dock structure and rocky points. Panfish returning to weedline edges during morning and afternoon — slip bobber or 1/16 oz jig with leech in 8–12 ft.
Pelican is in August pattern. Walleye and pike are near the thermocline at 18–24 ft on this 64-foot lake. Morning and afternoon feeding windows bring fish up to weedlines and mid-lake humps in 12–16 ft. Clear water means perch are key forage — find perch schools on sonar and walleye will be stacked nearby. Bass are the most reliable daytime species in shallower water.
A lindy rig with live nightcrawler or leech at the thermocline depth — or dragged over mid-lake humps during feeding windows. Drop shot when fish are tight to bottom. Speed troll a crankbait at 2–4 mph through the 18–24 ft zone to cover water and trigger reaction bites. Muskie season open — inside turns and channel connections at dawn and dusk with a large sucker or bucktail.
Whitefish remains the top crappie destination in the area. In August, crappies are beginning to return to weedline edges during morning and afternoon windows. Expect fish at 10–15 ft suspended mid-column over deeper weed edges — always check sonar for the school depth before dropping. Walleye and pike are on deeper structure in the 15–20 ft range during low-light windows.
A slip bobber set to the sonar-confirmed school depth with a small leech or minnow is the top crappie approach. Rapala Ultra Light Shad 1/8 oz trolled slowly along the weedline is a fast way to locate schools. Walleye on a lindy rig or drop shot at 15–20 ft during low-light. Note: crappie and sunfish on the Whitefish Chain are limited to 5 per day.
North Long is a solid low-pressure August pick. Walleye are holding near the thermocline at 14–20 ft during low-light, then pushing shallower to weedlines and mid-lake humps in 10–14 ft during morning and afternoon feeding windows. Bass are the most reliable daytime species along weed edges and dock structure. Light crowds make this an easy choice any day of the week.
A lindy rig with live nightcrawler or leech dragged over mid-lake humps or along deeper weedline edges is the top walleye approach. Drop shot when fish are tight to bottom. Panfish on a slip bobber or 1/16 oz jig with leech at 8–12 ft along the inside weedline edge. Bass excellent on crayfish-imitating jigs along dock structure and hard bottom.
Round Lake is a good August option — shallower than most area lakes (max 40 ft) so the thermocline is less defined, but fish are still pushed to the deepest available water at 12–18 ft. During morning and afternoon windows, panfish and walleye return to weedline edges in 8–12 ft. Shore access makes this a unique option for anglers without a boat.
A slip bobber or 1/16 oz jig with a leech at 8–12 ft along the weedline is the top panfish approach during morning and afternoon. Walleye on a lindy rig along the outside weedline edge in 12–18 ft — or use the Rapala Ultra Light Shad to search the weedline for active crappies first. Shore access is good from the public landing area.
Edwards is a solid August pick — showing good improvement as weather cools slightly. Walleye and perch are at 14–20 ft during low-light and pushing shallower to weedline edges in 10–14 ft during morning and afternoon feeding windows. Max depth of 48 ft means the thermocline is less dramatic here than on deeper lakes, making fish more accessible at moderate depths throughout the day. Bass are excellent along weed edges and dock structure.
A lindy rig with live nightcrawler or leech dragged along the weedline break in 10–14 ft is the top walleye approach during feeding windows. Drop shot when fish are tight to bottom in 14–20 ft. Panfish on a slip bobber or 1/16 oz jig with leech at 8–12 ft. Bass excellent on crayfish-imitating jigs along dock edges and weed pockets. Minimal boat traffic makes this the most relaxed option in the area.
River smallmouth are becoming more aggressive as we move into August and water temps ease slightly. Crayfish are the dominant forage right now — smallmouth are almost exclusively crayfish-oriented in late July and August, especially smallmouth. Target current seams, rocky points, and eddies throughout the day as the bite window expands. Smallmouth have pushed out of the backwaters and tributaries they used during spring high water and are back in the main river channel, holding tight to current seams, eddies, rocky points, wing dams, and submerged wood in 3–10 feet. Look for any obstruction that breaks the current — that's where fish concentrate to ambush prey.
Crayfish patterns are the single most productive presentation on river smallmouth all summer. A tube jig or craw imitation in natural colors — brown, green pumpkin, or smoke — crawled slowly along the bottom on a 1/8 oz jig head is the most reliable approach. Cast upstream and work the bait downcurrent through current seams, letting it pause in the slow water behind structure. Topwater poppers and walking baits are excellent in low-light morning and evening windows along shaded banks and slack backwaters — strikes can be explosive. For covering water and triggering reaction strikes from active fish, a spinnerbait or shallow-running jerkbait worked along rocky shorelines and wing dams produces well, especially on the up-current side of structure.
The Mississippi River north and south of Brainerd is the top overall pick — smallmouth, largemouth, walleye, pike, and channel cats are all present, with the stretch from Rice Lake up through Little Rabbit Lake to the Pine River confluence holding excellent numbers. The Crow Wing River from Pillager to its confluence with the Mississippi offers some of the best wade access in the area. The Pine River and Gull River are smaller, less-pressured options worth exploring for anglers willing to scout new water — both hold smallmouth and panfish in their lower stretches. The Long Prairie River to the west is another underfished option for smallmouth and the occasional walleye. Always check current river levels before heading out — levels can shift quickly after rain, and water dropping or clearing often turns the bite on.