S&W Bait and Tackle
on 371 in brainerd
Call Us
Directions
Hours:
(call ahead if close to open or close)
Sunday: 5:30 A.M – 6:30 P.M
Mon- Tues: 5:30 A.M – 8:00 P.M
Wednesday: 5:30 A.M – 9:00 P.M
Thur- Fri: 5:30 A.M – 10:00 P.M.
Saturday: 5:30 A.M – 9:00 P.M
Our Fishing guides
The Nisswa Guides have guided over 60,000 fishing trips in the Brainerd Lakes Area. They offer trips to Gull Lake, Mille Lacs Lake, Leech Lake, and more! To book your trip with the Nisswa Guides, give us a call! To learn more about the Nisswa Guides, visit their website.
Booking Your Trip
S&W Bait and Tackle books fishing trips for the The Nisswa Guides League and the S&W Guides. Both offer guided fishing trips in the Brainerd Lakes Area. To learn about the Nisswa Guides, visit their website. To book a trip with the Nisswa Guides or with the S&W Guides give us a call!
The S&W Guides
Tim with the S&W Guides offers guided fishing trips in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Fishing Reports
The Most Recent Report:
10/13/2023
Walleye
- Lakes: Gull – Pelican – Whitefish
- Gull the best
- Depth: 8 to 50 ft (17-28 the best)
- Bait: lindy rig with creek chub – redtail – Night Crawler – Pike Sucker – Jig with a rainbow
Bass
- Lakes: Most area lakes
- Depth: Very Active
- Bait: Pike Suckers – Night Crawlers- S&W Mix – Plastic worms – Spinner Bait – Try jig with a Night Crawlers
Pike
- Lakes: North Long – Edwards – Gull
- Depth: Running with Walleye 12 – 32 feet
- Bait: Try Lindy Rig Big Sucker Minnow – Big Creek Chub
Crappie
- Lakes: Gull – Nisswa – Round
- Depth: Still by weeds 8-30 Feet
- Bait: Small Jigs – Angle Worms – Crappie Minnows – Wax Worms – Night Crawlers
Sunfish
- Lakes: Nisswa – Roy – North Long
- Depth: Deeper weed lines 12 – 30 ft
- Bait: Small Jig – Night Crawlers – Wax Worms – Angle Worms – Small plastics – Small Gulp
Walleye Bite is getting better and the water is finally cooling down and turning for our Fall bite!! Have fun and be safe and Happy Halloween!!!
about s&W Bait
Sherree's Shop
S&W Bait and Tackle has a rich, 30-year history as one of the most popular bait shops in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Sherree, the owner, has memories of National Geographic, Lund Boats, the Linders, Marv Koep, and other fishing greats moving in and out of her shop. For Sherree, running S&W is all about the sowing the seeds of great memories daily. The perfect example of this is an interaction she had with a father and his young son when they stopped in before their day on the water:
Like most, they dropped in to grab bait and get advice before their day on the water. But, that evening they dropped back in just to ask Sherree if the son’s first fish was ‘too small to mount?’ “Of course not,” she recalled replying. She then continued to describe how fishing isn’t just about catching your biggest fish. “That ‘small’ fish is going to be a fantastic memory for him and his son — we all want to catch fish, and we all want to catch the big fish, but it is about the time with family and friends.” That is why she wakes up seven days a week at 5 AM, and that is why you can trust that Sherree and her shop will be the launch to many of your great memories.
frequently asked questions
Guided Trip FAQs
Do I need to bring my own bait, tackle, poles, or life jackets for guided trips?
How many people can a guide take out?
3 but will do 4 for an extra charge.
Are the guides good with kids?
They are very good with kids. Some of them are school teachers, and some are retired school teachers.
How many days in advance should I call to book a trip?
We generally recommend 2 weeks or more. We will book you with an available guide or try to find someone who is available.
What happens to my guided trip if it rains?
We do fish in the rain, but we do not fish in lightning or thunder. If the weather looks like it will be bad prior to your trip, your guide will contact you to discuss your options. Your guide will have rain jackets and rain suits on the boat, but you can bring your own if you like.
Is there a cancellation policy?
You must cancel 72 hours before your trip unless there is bad weather, in which case your guide will contact you.
Do the guides allow follow boats?
The guides do allow a follow boat for an extra charge.
Where do we meet the guide for the trip?
You and your guide will decide where you will meet. It could be at a landing, a dock, or even here at S&W.
What happens to my guided trip if it rains?
We do fish in the rain, but we do not fish in lightning or thunder. If the weather looks like it will be bad prior to your trip, your guide will contact you to discuss your options. Your guide will have rain jackets and rain suits on the boat, but you can bring your own if you like.
Bait Shop FAQs
When is S&W open?
The bait shop is open 7 days a week. In the summer, we are open 5:00 AM to 10 PM. Winter hours vary based on traffic and weather. You can always call ahead to see if we are open.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes, people from 16-90 need a fishing license to fish in Minnesota. If you have never had a Minnesota fishing license and plan to buy it here, know your social security number. The MN DNR requires a social security number to issue your first MN fishing license.
What minnows do you carry?
Live bait availability varies by season, weather, and other factors. For minnows we carry:
- Crappie Minnows
- Fat Heads
- Shiners
- Rainbow Minnows
- Red Tail Chubs
- Creek Chubs
- S&W Mix
What bait do you offer?
We have minnows, leeches, crawlers, and wax worms. We also have a selection of artificial baits and lures. Live bait availability varies by season, weather, and other factors.