Bait Shops in Crosslake, MN

2 licensed bait & tackle shops (2 with live bait) — and what to buy for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass this month.

📍 Brainerd LakesCrow Wing County🪱 August: Leeches · Nightcrawlers · Sucker minnows

From Crosslake you can be launching on Gull Lake, Little Thunder or Birch before the coffee cools; Gull Lake is the closest at about 22.3 miles. Walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass all show up in the local survey data, and walleye gets the most attention from Crosslake anglers. Plan on leeches and nightcrawlers this time of year (summer); quantities are limited at the smaller shops, so do not wait until noon. If you want the shortest run from bait to boat, Mermaid Bait sits roughly 0.2 miles from the Cross Lake #2 Public Water Access Site access on Cross Lake Reservoir. We list two bait and tackle shops around Crosslake (all two with live bait), each with hours, phone, and the closest ramps and lakes.

Lakes near Crosslake and what's biting

Main targets: Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie

This month at Crosslake-area lakes: bait by species

August in Minnesota. Seasons and bag limits change — the regulations page has the current rules.

SpeciesLive bait to buy in AugustWhere to buy it
WalleyeLeeches, Nightcrawlers, Redtail chubsCrawler harnesses and leeches on deep structure; big chubs for trophy fish.
Northern PikeSucker minnows, Large shinersSummer pike hit spoons and spinnerbaits, but a live sucker still wins on slow days.
CrappieCrappie minnows, WaxwormsSuspend a minnow over deep weed edges; waxies for finicky fish.
Largemouth BassNightcrawlers, Leeches, ShinersWacky-rigged crawlers and leeches under a bobber on weed edges; soft plastics do the rest.

Bait & tackle shops in Crosslake

Just need minnows, leeches or crawlers? Live bait in Crosslake →

Gear to grab before you go

Based on what's biting around Crosslake — grab it on the way so you're not improvising at the landing:

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Public landings near Crosslake

DNR public water access sites closest to the shops above.

  • Cross Lake #2 Public Water Access Site — Cross Lake Reservoir
    Directions ↗

    ~0.2 mi from the nearest listed shop · Trailer Launch · Concrete Slab · 1 dock · 35 trailer spaces

  • Pine River, Cross Lake Public Water Access Site
    Directions ↗

    ~0.3 mi from the nearest listed shop · Carry-In · Unknown

  • Crosslake Lake Public Water Access — Cross Lake Reservoir
    Directions ↗

    ~1 mi from the nearest listed shop · Trailer Launch · Natural

Crosslake bait shop FAQ

Where can I buy live bait in Crosslake?

Crosslake has two bait and tackle stops in our directory — Mermaid Bait and Your Crosslake Marina. All of them carry live bait (minnows, leeches, nightcrawlers) in season. Hours shift early and late in the season, so a quick call before a dawn launch is worth it.

What bait works for walleye near Crosslake right now?

For walleye on the lakes around Crosslake, local shops usually recommend a jig tipped with a fathead or shiner minnow in spring, leeches and nightcrawlers on a live-bait rig through summer, and bigger redtail or sucker minnows once the water cools in fall. Ask at the counter what the fish have been taking that week — the answer changes with water temperature.

Do Crosslake bait shops sell fishing licenses?

Yes. One of the two shops listed here (Your Crosslake Marina) is a Minnesota DNR electronic license agent, so you can buy a fishing license at the counter. You can also buy online from the DNR before you leave home.

Which lakes are closest to Crosslake?

The closest lakes on our site are Gull Lake (22.3 mi), Little Thunder (23.1 mi) and Birch (27.4 mi). Each has its own page with depth, species surveys and public access details, and every shop below lists the two nearest DNR public accesses.

More bait shops in the Brainerd Lakes

All Minnesota bait shops →