Nisswa & Brainerd Fishing Guides

Gull Lake is actually a reservoir with a river flowing through it. Brainerd fishing guides call the region of Gull Lake located above the highway 77 bridge the "Narrows." These waters are a key migration route for spawning walleyes on Gull Lake. Many walleye will pass through this area in search of current areas farther upstream. This section of the lake has been closed to fishing in past years when there has been extremely late ice out because of the number of spawning walleye still present in the river. Local fishing guides in Brainerd, Minnesota pay close attention to the walleye spawn. It helps give clues to the walleye's location when the season opens.

Nisswa Fishing Guide: Spring Walleye Spots

The fishing pier is a popular location with many anglers, including several Brainerd fishing guides, so it is best to arrive there early on the weekends. The best time to fish these spots is early mornings during the middle of the week. Nisswa fishing guides know a healthy spot-tail shiner fished on a lindy rig is an effective method for catching walleye from this location. Use a 3/8 oz lindy sinker with about a 30-inch snell tied to a swivel. A live bait hook in size #4 is perfect for fishing with shiner minnows. The key is to fish this rig slow. Cast the rig out and let it sit on the bottom. The key is to be patient. Walleye are constantly migrating in the river. A healthy swimming minnow is a tough meal to pass up. Give the walleye a little line when it takes the bait. Walleye often like to move away from other fish when they capture a meal. Most Brainerd fishing guides will advise anglers to hesitate 5-10 seconds once the walleye has stopped running and then slowly start reeling up the slack. Set the hook firmly when the rod starts to load or bend, under the weight of the fish. Tell your buddy to get the net. There is a walleye on the hook! The future of walleye fishing depends on the selective harvest. Legendary Nisswa Guide League member, Royal Karels, suggests anglers keep the smaller 14 to 17-inch male walleye for consumption and release the larger female fish. This practice is promoted by most fishing guides in Brainerd, Minnesota.