I’m glad others mentioned Trapper’s bait in Shooks, it’s a must stop for me just to see if the young man is wearing shoes. I’ve seen him barefoot more than once in subzero temps. Me and my buddies were just reminiscing about his awkward awesomeness the other day.
X2 
He is awesomely awkward! I would be concerned that he might read this and become offended but there is no doubt in my mind he doesn’t use the internet. And I mean that in the best way
stop light bait in st cloud. Very friendly and giant scoops!
Spent a fair amount of time in Timberline Sport in blackduck too.
Trappers Bait shop in Bemidji
Also have to give a shout out to the kid running the bait shop in tiny shooks MN next to the motel. Went in there a few weeks ago and just one young kid running the whole operation. When I was checking out he asked me if I wanted paper or plastic for my minnows. I was tired and just looked at him confused and he snickered and replied “that’s the joke of the day”. Pretty sure he tells that joke all day every day. Sign on the wall said “Biggest, Bestest, Scoops”. Think the kid lives in the back of the shop. Love small town MN!!!
Always stop here as well. Usually has buy a scoop of Rainbows get a scoop of fatheads free or vice versa.
Christophersons in Alexandria has a great selection of everything been going there for years…
Good selection but quality is lacking in the live bait dept.
Trappers at Shooks. Met Trapper himself a couple years back and was a great guy. It’s his son who runs it now and he is equally as great.
It’s about the only bait shop I make a point of stopping at when heading that way.
Both bait shops in Park Rapids are good. Use these two when I’m up in that area.
Ebner’s in elk river off hwy 10- lady is always friendly
Little jims- Annandale
briggs lake store
It’s no secret that finding good live bait (or really any sporting goods store) in Minneapolis or Saint Paul is getting pretty tough. I don’t have the luxury of discerning over quality of bait or size of scoops.
If I’m staying in the city to fish a local lake or the river, typically my best option is Diamond Lake Ace Hardware; they carry crappie minnows, fatheads, and sometimes a few suckers as well as leeches & worms. And a very small, over-priced tackle selection.
I’ll hit Wayzata Bait & Tackle if I’m going out on Tonka
East metro, Kathy’s Live Bait on Rice Street, but I’ve had some issues with the quality of their minnows
Further east I’ve had good luck with Frankie’s in Chisago
I try to hit Village Liquor in North Hudsonbecause I stole a LOT of packs of cigs from that place when I was a stupid kid and I feel I owe them my business 
And I’ve had bad luck with lousy minnows at the Holiday station downtown.
Also a plug for Kurt’s Island Sports Shop in Minocqua, WI
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