Swanson's Bait & Tackle

Swanson's Bait & Tackle Swanson's has been the local bait shop in the Hackensack/Leech Lake area for generations. They expanded the store to its current 6,000 sq. ft.

Swanson's was opened by Ed & Marcia Swanson in 1970 then purchased by Jim and Lisa Tuller in 1995. In 2017, Dean and Chris Garoutte, who grew up in the area, purchased the bait shop from Tullers. Along with bait, Swanson's carries a large line of tackle, and the best selection of lake named shirts and accessories in the area.

The scoop! Have fun filling up those stringers this weekend! Share some of your success pictures on the feed and shoot ...
06/12/2026

The scoop!

Have fun filling up those stringers this weekend!

Share some of your success pictures on the feed and shoot us an email with pics if you want to see them on the big screen in the shop!

[email protected]

We’re looking for some passionate and driven people to join our team! We’re currently seeking employees for our closing ...
06/08/2026

We’re looking for some passionate and driven people to join our team! We’re currently seeking employees for our closing shift (availability from 1-9 or 2-10 PM); ideally you’re passionate about the outdoors, good with people, strive to thrive with your team, and don’t mind handling live bait. Bonus if you’re an up and coming pro-fisherman like the dude pictured.

Stop in for an application, we’d love to chat with you!

The Scoop for your holiday weekend. Happy Memorial Day!Hope you’re all staying safe, dry, and catching tons of fish! ...
05/23/2026

The Scoop for your holiday weekend. Happy Memorial Day!

Hope you’re all staying safe, dry, and catching tons of fish!

Chris threw down on an entirely refreshed clothing selection for the season and there are some awesome designs added to ...
05/16/2026

Chris threw down on an entirely refreshed clothing selection for the season and there are some awesome designs added to the mix. Come check it out before our staff buys it up!

Happy Opener from all of us at Swanson’s. Hit this thread with some of your catches from this week!
05/09/2026

Happy Opener from all of us at Swanson’s. Hit this thread with some of your catches from this week!

05/07/2026

Gary has been joining us on fishing opener for more years than we can count and will be here once again on Friday the 8th from 9-3. Come meet Mr. Walleye in person, he has all the tips and tricks to help make your opener a success!

We hope to see you at 1 this afternoon for our kids-only Easter egg hunt!
04/04/2026

We hope to see you at 1 this afternoon for our kids-only Easter egg hunt!

Hopefully your travel plans aren’t getting interrupted with our second coming of winter, but if so, word on the lake is ...
04/02/2026

Hopefully your travel plans aren’t getting interrupted with our second coming of winter, but if so, word on the lake is Easter Bunny Annie will be hopping by Swanson's Bait & Tackle on Saturday! Bring your kids in at 1 PM so they can help us find all of the eggs she’s hidden around the store before they get gobbled up by Jake and Riley. Yes, there will be a golden egg. What kind of Easter would it be without one!?!

The Scoop:FISHING REPORT 03/26/2026ICE CONDITIONS VARY A LOT LAKE TO LAKE SO YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN CHECKING LAKES ...
03/27/2026

The Scoop:

FISHING REPORT 03/26/2026
ICE CONDITIONS VARY A LOT LAKE TO LAKE SO YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN CHECKING LAKES TO GET OUT ON. FOR THE MOST PART THE EDGES OF LAKES ARE GOING FAST. IF YOU CAN GET ON, SOME AREA LAKES STILL HAVE 12"-25"

PERCH HAVE BEEN BITING ON LEECH BY SAND POINT, THE WALKER BAY NARROWS, AND AGENCY BAY. MOST FISH ARE IN 1O OR LESS. LARGER SPOONS TIPPED WITH MINNOW HEADS WORK WELL TO KEEP SMALLER PERCH FROM BITING.

PAN FISH: HAVE BEEN FOUND IN BAYS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF LAKES THAT HAVE NICE W**D FLATS IN 5-I0 FT. TRY USING SMALL JIGS
TIPPED WITH EURO LARVAE OR WAX WORMS OR SMALL SPOONS WITH A "FLASHER" BLADE.

BE SAFE, GOOD LUCK AND STAY ON TOP!!!
AND THE ICE IS ABOUT AS CONSISTANT AS MY LINES :)

THE SCOOP!* WARMING TEMPS AND FULL MOON PHASE SHOULD PUT THE FISH IN A BITING MOOD.DONT BE AFRAID TO TRY DIFFERENT COLOR...
02/07/2026

THE SCOOP!

* WARMING TEMPS AND FULL MOON PHASE SHOULD PUT THE FISH IN A BITING MOOD.
DONT BE AFRAID TO TRY DIFFERENT COLORS AS CERTAIN COLORS WORK BETTER LAKE TO LAKE.

WALLEYE: WHEN THE TEMPS WERE COOLER THE BEST BITES WERE COMING OFF DEAD STICK LINES WITH A SHINER OR RAINBOW. TRY SHIFTING TO SOMETHING MORE AGGRESSIVE LIKE SPOONS & BUCK SHOTS TIPPED WITH MINNOW HEADS OR WAX WORMS. THE MOST CONSISTANT DEPTH HAS BEEN 20-25 FEET BUT LOOK TO FIND FISH ON THE TOPS OF 12-14 FOOT HUMPS WHEN IT GETS DARK. DONT BE AFRAID TO JIG OR SET BAIT 4-6FT OFF BOTTOM.

PANFISH: MOST FISH ARE STILL HOLDING OUT IN THE MID WINTER BASINS. LOOK FOR BASINS THAT BOTTOM OUT FROM 20-30FT WITH SILTY OR MUD BOTTOMS. SOME LAKES ARE STILL HOLDING A MIX OF GILLS & CRAPPIES ON 7-1OFT W**D FLATS. TRY USING SMALL SPOONS, NANO RAPS, PUPPET MINNOW OR A FATHEAD W/ PLAIN HOOK. ON THE SHALLOW FLATS USE SMALL GLOW TUNGSTENS TIPPED W/ WAXIES OR EUROS.

PIKE: LOOK FOR W**D FLATS IN 10 FT FLATS, TRY TIP-UPS WITH A LARGER SPOON TIPPED W/ A LIVELY MINNOW. IF THE TOP OF THE W**D FLATS ARENT WORKING, SLIDE OUT TO THE EDGE AND SET YOUR BAITS HALFWAY DOWN. DONT BE AFRAID TO TRY THE HOT DOG TRICK!

* PERCH & TULLIBEE BITE HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD ON LEECH. HIT THE PARIS TRENCH OUT OF HORSESHOE BAY FOR TULLIBEES. THE PERCH ARE BEING CAUGHT IN AGENCY BAY, SUCKER BAY OUT OF PINE POINT * NORTH SIDE OF PORTAGE BAY.

STAY SAFE * GOODLUCK!

Address

333 1st Street N
Hackensack, MN
56452

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 9pm
Tuesday 6am - 9pm
Wednesday 6am - 9pm
Thursday 6am - 9pm
Friday 6am - 9pm
Saturday 6am - 9pm
Sunday 6am - 9pm

Telephone

+12186756176

Website

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