1.H&H Sport Shop
DNR license agent607 Hwy 55, Maple Lake, MN 55358
4.5 (440 reviews · ratings via Google)
- Live bait
- Tackle
- Fishing licenses
Bait Shops in Maple Lake, MN
1 licensed bait & tackle shop (1 with live bait) — and what to buy for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass this month.
📍 Twin Cities MetroWright County🪱 September: Shiners · Redtail chubs · Large sucker minnows
Within a short drive of Maple Lake you have Lake Waconia and Lake Minnetonka; Lake Waconia (about 28 miles) is where many people start. You will hear about walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass at the counter, with walleye coming up more than anything else. Right now, in summer, leeches and nightcrawlers move fastest off the shelves, so grab them early on a Saturday. This is Wright County water, so expect company at the popular ramps on weekends. We list one bait and tackle shop around Maple Lake (it carries live bait), each with hours, phone, and the closest ramps and lakes. Most of these stops are family-run and happy to point you at the right lake for the week.
Lakes near Maple Lake and what's biting
- Lake Waconia · ~28 mi from Maple LakeLake guide →
- Lake Minnetonka · ~29 mi from Maple LakeLake guide →
Main targets: Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie
This month at Maple Lake-area lakes: bait by species
September in Minnesota. Seasons and bag limits change — the regulations page has the current rules.
| Species | Live bait to buy in September | Where to buy it |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Redtail chubs, Shiners, Creek chubsFall is big-minnow season: jig a lively chub on points and humps. | |
| Northern Pike | Large sucker minnowsFall trophy window — 8–12 inch suckers on quick-strike rigs. | |
| Crappie | Crappie minnows, Fathead minnowsFall crappies school deep — vertical-jig a minnow. | |
| Largemouth Bass | Shiners, NightcrawlersFall bass chase baitfish — a lively shiner on a jighead. |
Bait & tackle shops in Maple Lake
Just need minnows, leeches or crawlers? Live bait in Maple Lake →
Gear to grab before you go
Based on what's biting around Maple Lake — grab it on the way so you're not improvising at the landing:
Heads up: the links below are affiliate links — if you buy something we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change what we recommend. How we make money.
- Jig heads, 1/8–3/8 ozThe Minnesota walleye staple — tip with a minnow or leech.Shop at Amazon →
- Slip bobber kitLeech under a slip float on a reef — summer walleye 101.Shop at Amazon →
- Crawler harnesses / spinner rigsTroll a nightcrawler on deep structure in July and August.Shop at Amazon →
- 8 lb monofilament lineFresh line before the season — old mono loses jig-bite fish.Shop at Amazon →
- Wire or fluorocarbon leadersPike bite through mono. Every rig needs a leader.Shop at Amazon →
- Casting spoons (red/white, five of diamonds)Classic Minnesota pike hardware for weedlines.Shop at Amazon →
Public landings near Maple Lake
DNR public water access sites closest to the shops above.
- Maple Lake (W) Public Water Access Site — Upper MapleDirections ↗
~0.8 mi from the nearest listed shop · Trailer Launch · Concrete Slab · 1 dock · 5 trailer spaces
- Mary Lake Public Water Access Site — MaryDirections ↗
~1.7 mi from the nearest listed shop · Trailer Launch · Concrete Slab · 1 dock · 8 trailer spaces
Maple Lake bait shop FAQ
Where can I buy live bait in Maple Lake?
Maple Lake has one bait and tackle stop in our directory — H&H Sport Shop. It carries 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 Maple Lake right now?
For walleye on the lakes around Maple Lake, 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 Maple Lake bait shops sell fishing licenses?
Yes. H&H Sport Shop 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 Maple Lake?
The closest lakes on our site are Lake Waconia (28 mi) and Lake Minnetonka (29 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.