1887 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
4.8 (119 reviews · ratings via Google)
- Live bait
- Tackle
Bait Shops in Saint Paul, MN
1 licensed bait & tackle shop (1 with live bait) — and what to buy for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass this month.
📍 Twin Cities MetroRamsey County🪱 August: Leeches · Nightcrawlers · Sucker minnows
Saint Paul sits within easy reach of White Bear Lake, Prior Lake and Riley, with White Bear Lake only about 13.9 miles out, so most anglers here are on the water in well under an hour. 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. Plan the morning around Mississippi River, Hidden Falls Public Water Access Site (U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool) — it is the public access closest to the bait counters in Saint Paul, around 1.7 miles out. Below is one shop in and around Saint Paul (it carries live bait), with what they sell and which waters sit nearest to the door.
Lakes near Saint Paul and what's biting
- White Bear Lake · ~14 mi from Saint PaulLake guide →
- Prior Lake · ~18 mi from Saint PaulLake guide →
- Riley · ~18 mi from Saint PaulLake guide →
Main targets: Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie
This month at Saint Paul-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 Saint Paul
Just need minnows, leeches or crawlers? Live bait in Saint Paul →
Gear to grab before you go
Based on what's biting around Saint Paul — 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 Saint Paul
DNR public water access sites closest to the shops above.
- Mississippi River, Hidden Falls Public Water Access Site — U.S. Lock & Dam #2 PoolDirections ↗
~1.7 mi from the nearest listed shop · Trailer Launch · Concrete Slab · 40 trailer spaces
- Mississippi River, Lake Street Public Water Access Site — U.S. Lock & Dam #1 PoolDirections ↗
~1.9 mi from the nearest listed shop · Carry-In · Natural · 1 dock
Saint Paul bait shop FAQ
Where can I buy live bait in Saint Paul?
Saint Paul has one bait and tackle stop in our directory — Mend Provisions. 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 Saint Paul right now?
For walleye on the lakes around Saint Paul, 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.
Which lakes are closest to Saint Paul?
The closest lakes on our site are White Bear Lake (13.9 mi), Prior Lake (17.5 mi) and Riley (17.9 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.
Is there a public boat landing near Saint Paul?
Yes — the closest DNR public water access to a listed shop is Mississippi River, Hidden Falls Public Water Access Site on U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool, about 1.7 miles from Mend Provisions. Every shop page lists its two nearest public landings with distances and directions.