SAGAMORE LAKE REPORT, updated Thursday 7/9, 6:10am

Walleye are finally off the deep breaks, 22-26 ft, jig and a leech, gold has been better than chartreuse, don't ask me why. Crappies suspended over the north basin, 14 ft over 30. Musky guys: one follow all week, you knew what this was. Water temp 74 at the landing.

Duke.

7/2, 5:40am:

Walleye still transitioning, some on the mid-lake humps 16-18 ft, some still shallow at dark. Lindy rig and a crawler if the jig bite quits on you. Sunnies on the beds in Muskrat Bay, take the kids. Water temp 71. Duke.

6/25, 6:05am:

Wind blew for three days and stacked the walleye on the east shore rock, 10-12 ft, and then everybody stood in here telling me about it. Crappies done spawning, sliding out. Shiners are gone until fall, quit asking. Water temp 68. Duke.

THE COFFEE IS FREE. THE ADVICE IS FREE.
THE MINNOWS ARE NOT.
Please stop asking Gary.

LIVE BAIT

BaitPrice
Leeches (regular)$4.50 / dozen
Leeches (jumbo)$5.75 / dozen
Leeches by the pound (guides, resorts)$18.00 / lb
Fathead minnows$3.75 / dozen, $7.00 / scoop
ShinersWhen we can get them. Call first.
Nightcrawlers$4.25 / dozen
Waxies$3.25 / cup

Bring your own bucket for scoop minnows or buy one of ours, we are not picky. Aerator batteries and foam leech lockers behind the counter.

TACKLE

If it catches fish on this lake, we stock it. If it catches fishermen, Cabela's is 40 minutes that way. Jigs in every weight that matters here (1/16 to 3/8), Lindy rigs, slip bobbers, spinner blades, a wall of crankbaits that Duke has personally opinionated over, line, hooks, split shot by the tub. We tie our own snells in the winter and they are better than the packaged ones, ask anybody.

BOAT & MOTOR RENTAL

RigHalf day (5am to noon)Full day
14 ft Lund with 15 hp Evinrude$65$95

$100 deposit, cash or card, back when the boat is. Gas tank comes full, bring it back full or we fill it and you pay pump price plus our aggravation. Anchor, paddle, and bailer in every boat.

Life jackets included. Wear them. I mean it.

Reserve by phone for weekends. First come first served on weekdays, and 5am means 5am, the good ones are gone by 6.

DUKE'S BOARD OF FAME

Carter, age 9, first walleye, 6/14/26. Released. Good kid.

Big Ron, 47 in. musky, 5/30/26. Fourth cast of the season. Nobody believed him, so here is the photo.

Deb, 13.5 in. crappie right off our dock, 6/2/26. Dock fish count double, her rule.

jumbo perch, Muskrat Bay

The Hendrickson boys, 22 keeper perch, 6/21/26. Fried at the campground that night, we heard about it for a week.

Duke, 28 in. walleye, opener 2026. Over the slot, back it went. Yes it hurt.

Gary, 19 in. smallmouth off the rock pile, 7/4/26. Yes, that Gary. Still no free minnows.

LICENSES & LAKE RULES

Minnesota DNR license kiosk is inside by the coffee pot, takes about two minutes, bring your driver's license. Reminder on the walleye slot: everything 20 to 24 inches goes back in the lake, no arguing, one fish over 28 allowed in your limit. The slot is why the fishing is good again, so quit grumbling about it. Kids under 16 fish free with a licensed adult. Full regs are in the little books by the register, take one, they are free too.

DIRECTIONS

From Brainerd, take County Road 12 north about 8 miles. Turn at the big walleye statue. If you're at the Casey's, you missed it, turn around. We are the green building right at the Sagamore Public Landing, you can see the minnow tanks from the parking lot. Plenty of room for trucks and trailers.

ICE HOUSES

Yes we do ice houses in winter. Different website, same phone number, long story. Call (218) 555-0195 after the season ends and ask for Duke or leave a message with whoever picks up.