1.PI Outdoors Unlimited
DNR license agent86 S Main St, Pine Island, MN 55963
- Live bait
- Tackle
- Fishing licenses
Bait Shops in Pine Island, MN
1 licensed bait & tackle shop (1 with live bait) — and what to buy for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass this month.
📍 Southern MinnesotaGoodhue County🪱 August: Leeches · Nightcrawlers · Sucker minnows
Anglers based in Pine Island split their time between Lake Pepin, and Lake Pepin at 22.6 miles is the quick after-work option. Expect walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass on those lakes, with walleye the bread-and-butter target for most boats. Right now, in summer, leeches and nightcrawlers move fastest off the shelves, so grab them early on a Saturday. One of the listed shop is a DNR license agent, so a same-day license is a counter purchase, not a detour. There is one shop listed for Pine Island (it carries live bait), and each entry links out to the lakes and public accesses nearby. If you need a license as well, check the badge on each shop; DNR agents can sell one at the counter.
Lakes near Pine Island and what's biting
- Lake Pepin · ~23 mi from Pine IslandLake guide →
Main targets: Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie
This month at Pine Island-area lakes: bait by species
August in Minnesota. Seasons and bag limits change — the regulations page has the current rules.
| Species | Live bait to buy in August | Where to buy it |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Leeches, Nightcrawlers, Redtail chubsCrawler harnesses and leeches on deep structure; big chubs for trophy fish. | |
| Northern Pike | Sucker minnows, Large shinersSummer pike hit spoons and spinnerbaits, but a live sucker still wins on slow days. | |
| Crappie | Crappie minnows, WaxwormsSuspend a minnow over deep weed edges; waxies for finicky fish. | |
| Largemouth Bass | Nightcrawlers, Leeches, ShinersWacky-rigged crawlers and leeches under a bobber on weed edges; soft plastics do the rest. |
Bait & tackle shops in Pine Island
Just need minnows, leeches or crawlers? Live bait in Pine Island →
Gear to grab before you go
Based on what's biting around Pine Island — 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 Pine Island
DNR public water access sites closest to the shops above.
- Zumbro River, Oronoco Landing Public Water Access SiteDirections ↗
~6.3 mi from the nearest listed shop · Carry-In · Gravel
- Zumbro River, Covered Bridge Park Public Water Access SiteDirections ↗
~6.6 mi from the nearest listed shop · Carry-In · Natural
Pine Island bait shop FAQ
Where can I buy live bait in Pine Island?
Pine Island has one bait and tackle stop in our directory — PI Outdoors Unlimited. 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 Pine Island right now?
For walleye on the lakes around Pine Island, 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 Pine Island bait shops sell fishing licenses?
Yes. PI Outdoors Unlimited 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 Pine Island?
The closest lakes on our site are Lake Pepin (22.6 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.