"Loonfest 2025: Music, Fishing, Jerky & More - Brainerd's Premier Festival Returns!"

Trivia Question❓

When is the first “Run for the Son” 5K & 10K + Kids Dash in Brainerd?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Fall Fishing in Brainerd: Prime Spots and Techniques

As autumn colors sweep the Brainerd Lakes Area, local anglers are heading out for prime walleye, bass, and northern pike fishing.

Gull Lake delivers standout walleye action, especially after dark on shallow flats and at dawn along deeper breaks.

Fishing sharp drop-offs near weed beds with live minnows or chubs on Lindy rigs, as well as jigging spoons, can boost catches.

Pelican Lake remains productive—live bait rigs trailing large minnows or nightcrawlers attract fish around structure and weed edges, while spinners or spoons work well as water cools.

Mille Lacs Lake tempts anglers with diverse opportunities: walleyes shift from deep daytime haunts to shallow flats at dusk, and smallmouth bass are aggressive in rocky bays.

Locals report increased walleye activity around 18 to 28 feet on Gull, while bass bite well on various lures in Pelican’s warm shallows.

This fall, experimenting with bait sizes and targeting wind-blown shorelines can make for memorable days.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday
85 °F 🌡️ 60 °F | ⛅ Mostly sunny and humid; breezy afternoon | PoP: ~4 % | 💨 SW ~10 mph (~9 knots)
Warm skies dominate with humidity rising; nice day for early-lake fishing.

Wednesday
78 °F 🌡️ 61 °F | ⛅-⛈ Clouds giving way to sun, storms possible later | PoP: ~55 % | 💨 NNE ~7 mph (~6 knots) Morning steps out partly sunny; prepare for scattered afternoon storms.

Thursday
70 °F 🌡️ 58 °F | 🌧 Overcast with steady rainfall chance | PoP: ~90 % | 💨 E ~10 mph (~9 knots)
Expect mostly wet conditions; tie up gear/tools, good indoor alternatives.

Friday
66 °F 🌡️ 56 °F | ☁️ Cloudy; light rain possible | PoP: ~25 % | 💨 E ~12 mph (~10 knots)
Cooler and more stable; shorter rain chances likely early.

Saturday
67 °F 🌡️ 54 °F | 🌦 Morning showers then lingering clouds | PoP: ~63 % | 💨 SE ~6 mph (~5 knots)
Showers likely in morning; overcast conditions carry into afternoon.

Sunday
72 °F 🌡️ 57 °F | ☁️-⛅ Afternoon clouds; slight rain chance | PoP: ~55 % | 💨 W ~5 mph (~4 knots)
Mostly cloudy with occasional bursts of sunshine later in day.

Monday
73 °F 🌡️ 53 °F | ⛅ Warm & partly sunny; maybe a storm later | PoP: ~55 % | 💨 SSE ~5 mph (~4 knots)
Warm start, afternoon heating might bring scattered storms.

Upcoming Events

Loonfest 2025: Brainerd's Premier Music Festival Returns

Loonfest 2025 will energize Brainerd, Minnesota on September 19–20, bringing two nights of top country and rock acts to Stewart C. Mills Field.

Friday features a lively country lineup, with local favorites If Nothing Else, the emotional energy of Eddie & The Getaway, Texas star Chase Bryant, and Nashville hitmakers LANCO.

Saturday’s focus shifts to rock, including Bullets & Butterflies, Midwest rockers Make Fire, alt-metal mainstays Earshot, hard-hitting Drowning Pool, and crowd-rousing Saliva.

Tickets are on sale online and locally at SE’z Bar.

Organized by Brainerd entrepreneurs, the festival aims to boost the city’s music profile and benefits Vigilant Guardians, supporting veterans.

Discounted rides from Brainerd Taxi help ensure everyone gets home safely.

Don’t miss the inaugural Loonfest — a new highlight for local live music lovers.