The title says it all, looks like Big B’s Bait and Tackle has unfortunately closed and so has Wayzata Bait. Guess it’s the end of an era since both of those shops have been there since I can remember. Where can a guy buy bait (minnows) in the MN west metro these days? Do I have to drive out to DH Customs or are there other options?
Those were the two locations I bought live bait the past 15 years, when I was intending to use live bait of course.
They have both been gone for over a year now and there are no other options nearby or convenient, which is annoying. The loss of Wayzata Bait & Tackle was especially inconvenient. They had been a staple there for 40+ years.
I’ve learned to just fish without the use of live bait for the most part. Its expensive and its generally just a big pain the rear to buy and keep alive according to state transport laws now.
There is a little shop further west on Hwy 7 (Arco) that has a limited selection. I would definitely check ahead of time though.
I find it somewhat shocking that no one is ambitious or willing enough to open a live bait business somewhere on the east side of Lake Minnetonka. I do know that the live bait business is a lot of hard work seasonally for not much money though. So I can see why people are getting out of it.
Yeah, that’s very true. I know that the trend in the industry is to not use live bait, but in cold water situations (fall & Winter) it can be hard to beat at times. I really wish the state would do something to help bait shops like a tax break, etc. Can’t they file as a religious entity? I find myself there many Sunday mornings! RIP Wayzata Bait and Tackle, goes to show, you don’t know what you have till it’s gone.
There is a Speedway gas station on 36th ave north and 169 in New Hope/Plymouth that sold bait but I haven’t been there in years.
This winter I plan on buying a small fishing tank to keep my bait alive in between fishing trips. Going to keep it in the garage because the lady would kill me if I brought it inside.
Sure might be some extra cleaning to do but something I’ve always wanted to try.
You could go to the marina in Waconia but you have to be a lazy fisherman to work with their schedule. Even being on a busy lake they have terrible hours.
Might be a bit out of the way, but doesn’t the gas station off CR 19 and MN 55 near Loretto have live bait?
I BS’d with those two brothers every time I went into Wayzata Bait & Tackle even if I rarely bought live bait. They both had abrasive personalities at times but it was enjoyable for many years. I took my reels in there about every 3 years for a full service too. The brother that did that still does it out of his house, in case anyone is interested.
Depends where you are coming from and wanting to get on the lake, but Cabin Fever in Victoria is good. And there’s a few more options on the south and west side of Tonka.
In Towne Marina on Wayzata has bait, plows roads, gives GREAT ice updates on facebook, if I lived closer, I would be there often
FYI – In Towne Marina is on Lake Waconia.
I bought a two-sided wash tub for my basement for minnows. I like it because it has legs. I put a PVC valve on the bottom drains, and I also use a plug for each on the inside. This way I can drain water from underneath if I have to. Also, I don’t fill the tubs completely, more like half full each. I also run an aerator with dual outputs that supplies a sponge filter on each side. I keep the aerator going year-round to keep the biological filtration in check, but dumping a bunch of minnows in will typically cause a mass die-off with ammonia shock, but I usually have some that survive and the rest of the season I’m good. Last thing, shiners will eat goldfish flake food, so if they’re kept cold, you’ll likely have some for the spring opener too. Edit –> I meant to quote KP
In Towne Marina on Wayzata has bait, plows roads, gives GREAT ice updates on facebook, if I lived closer, I would be there often
Silly me, i know that, but i cant really call it a typo when i got all but one letter wrong, can i?
I bought a two-sided wash tub for my basement for minnows. I like it because it has legs. I put a PVC valve on the bottom drains, and I also use a plug for each on the inside. This way I can drain water from underneath if I have to. Also, I don’t fill the tubs completely, more like half full each. I also run an aerator with dual outputs that supplies a sponge filter on each side. I keep the aerator going year-round to keep the biological filtration in check, but dumping a bunch of minnows in will typically cause a mass die-off with ammonia shock, but I usually have some that survive and the rest of the season I’m good. Last thing, shiners will eat goldfish flake food, so if they’re kept cold, you’ll likely have some for the spring opener too. Edit –> I meant to quote KP
Thanks for the info!
I have been out to Koch’s Korner on 55 and 19 and always found them to be a great place to stop and get bait. Haven’t stopped at any of the Waconia or Victoria places, but I’ll keep those in mind!
I have however run the fish tank approach before (you can usually get a whole setup off of FB Marketplace) and agree with RynO that shiners will eat flake fish food. Also, should anyone want to take that approach, they make a product that you pour into the fresh tap water that removes the chlorine and other stuff so your minnows(or goldfish) don’t die when you put them in.
Sounds like I’ll probably have to go and bulk buy some minnows from the nearest shop and set up an aerator in the garage from now on. Thanks everyone for the input and let me know if one of you decide to run a seasonal bait shop in the Medicine Lake area!
Dont they sell minnows at the Fleet Farm gas stations down there? Its not always the best bait but when I don’t want to go to a real bait shop that’s where I go.
Dont they sell minnows at the Fleet Farm gas stations down there? Its not always the best bait but when I don’t want to go to a real bait shop that’s where I go.
No, they usually just have a cooler with nightcrawlers (seasonal) and waxies.
The carver FF has minnows at their gas station building.
We also have Old Carver Bait, which is a great store but it is rarely and randomly open.
Wish the gas station off 394 and Penn still sold minnows, spendy but they were convenient for me.
They redid the store several years ago and each year they say next year for getting the minnows going.
So have we still not identified a place with Minnows on the east side of Lake Minnetonka? I’m going to swing by a couple gas stations that claim to have live bait this afternoon when I grab my kids from school but it’s looking like I need to drive 30 min from the Hopkins area to find minnows.
They were talking ice conditions on the news last night with a guy from Waypoint Angler Supply in Spring Park. I’ve never been there or heard of them, but that’s another option. It’s not too far from DH Custom Rods, not sure if they have bait too or not?
Amazon sell minnows? LOL
Waypoint is a sweet shop if you are a bass guy (they have other stuff too) but cater to bass tournament scene and getting overseas JDM baits in.
They had waxies etc last winter and were working on getting bait tanks I believe- it’s been months since I stopped. Carry one or two local custom open water and ice rod brands also.
Right next to Back channel brewery so good stop if you are fishing bays in that area- but not on the East side like the OP is looking for.
I believe Scheels in EP sells bait including minnows. Kind of a pain to walk all the way upstairs to the fishing dept to get it but it’s an option.
I see lots of Canadians using frozen/salted minnows (probably due to regulation and convenience as opposed to effectiveness?), has anyone given that a shot around town and if so have a recommendation for places to get them? I’ve used them regularly on LOTW, but seems to not be considered very much south of Red.
Didn’t know Scheels had minnows. That’ll work in a pinch for me. Thanks
I see lots of Canadians using frozen/salted minnows (probably due to regulation and convenience as opposed to effectiveness?), has anyone given that a shot around town and if so have a recommendation for places to get them?
I’ve used them a couple times in a pinch, but not sure where to get them around here. Probably order some, or just make your own next time you have leftover bait, dry em, throw em in a bag of salt in the freezer.
I forgot I had preserved minnows. Believe I got them at Fleet Farm.
Hardware Hank in St michael and Runnings in monticello have live bait.
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