There simply are so many good fishing lakes to choose from that you can fish for what you want at just about any time. Minnesota’s most famous walleye lake is Lake Mille Lacs, just 20 minutes east of Brainerd. Just minutes away from there is the Cuyuna State Recreation Area with old mine pit lakes with some of the country’s best rainbow and brook trout fishing. Nationally acclaimed anglers describe our lakes teeming with largemouth bass as some of the best anywhere. Plus, practically every lake has northern pike and panfish, while other lakes are managed for muskie or lake trout.

Almost every good fishing lake has a public boat access from which you can launch your own boat.

Once you’ve picked a few lakes to try, get a lake map that shows good spots to catch fish. Lake maps are available from many Brainerd Lakse Area bait and tackle stores or you download area lake maps from the Minnesota DNR.