COOK- The old Northwoods Bait and Tackle served its purpose. But for Paula and Dave Dundas, it was never going to be big enough to hold their dreams.
“Well, that’s for dang sure. We’ve moved way up and we’ve upgraded, obviously,” said Paula with a laugh, reflecting on the grand opening of their new shop in Cook during Minnesota’s fishing opener weekend.
The couple purchased the longtime bait store two years ago and quickly realized the original building, while familiar and functional, wasn’t going to support their long-term vision for the business.
“The biggest thing was being able to run year-round, and the other building just wasn’t capable of it,” Dundas said. “So, we investigated remodeling that building or adding on, and after talking with a couple different contractors, it just wasn’t possible.”
Low ceilings in the old shop even made it difficult to stock longer fishing rods.
“You couldn’t have a fishing rod over six feet long in there because the ceiling was so low,” she said. “We just wanted this to be a destination for people.”
That destination now stands proudly along Hwy. 53, a stone’s throw from the original location. It’s bright, spacious, and stocked not only with an expanded inventory, but with a commitment to making sure what’s offered is exactly what works on the water.
To decide what gear to carry, Dundas doesn’t guess – she talks to the people who know best. Local fishing guides regularly share what tactics and equipment are working, and she uses that insight to shape her orders. If a guide is outfitting clients with specific rods or lures, Dundas wants to have those items on hand, or ones of equal quality, “so when people are having success with the guide, they can come in here and they can get the equipment to replicate that,” she said.
The shop features a mix of nationally recognized fishing brands and gear sourced from regional manufacturers. Dundas said she and Dave take pride in seeking out high-quality products made in Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, items like bump boards from Sauk Rapids and rods from a family-run maker in Farmington. While some of those names are gaining wider recognition in the fishing world, they remain rooted in the same small-business ethos that Northwoods Bait and Tackle embodies.
Despite the upgrades and expanded inventory, one thing hasn’t changed – the bait. It’s still the same carefully maintained, high-quality live bait that’s earned Northwoods its reputation.
“That’s the heart and soul of this place,” Dundas said. “All that happened is their tanks got a little bit bigger, but otherwise the minnows are the same, the water is the same.”
That consistency has been supported by a reliable group of suppliers working hard this spring to keep the tanks full.
“Our bait guys have been out in the woods busting their butts, keeping us in minnows and they’ve been doing a really great job,” she said. “At the end of the day catching minnows is still fishing, you know.”
And through the opener into the early part of the week, Dundas has heard solid reports from the lake and described what appeared to be working.
“You’ve got to get out early and you’ve got to hit a shoreline that’s getting hit by the sun, because right now the water temp is still cold,” she said. “The walleyes are searching for warmer temps. A lot of people are fishing early morning in like three to six feet of water.”
She recommends trying a leech and slip bobber if a jig and minnow combo isn’t getting results. And when it comes to bait, she says rainbow chubs have been in big demand as a reliable early-season staple.
“They’ve got their big stripes and they’re really colorful and really flashy,” she said. Fathead chubs are running big right now as well, and for anglers looking to change it up, she suggests creek chubs. “They’re a great alternative. They’re really aggressive. They’re a very hardy minnow.”
With warmer air temperatures, the leech bite is already picking up, Dundas added.
Though the new building might turn heads, it’s the people behind the counter who keep customers coming back. Paula and Dave have assembled a knowledgeable and tight-knit staff, many of whom are family or feel like it. Longtime employee Connor Doble is almost always on the job when he’s not out fishing. Dundas’s nieces, Rory Bundy and River Cheney, bring both hometown familiarity and enthusiasm for .the outdoors. And this season, they’ve added Ryan Dall, a childhood friend of Dave’s who grew up fishing these same waters. Dundas said the group works hard, knows their stuff, and makes the shop feel like family.
“We’re just very, very thankful for everybody,” Dundas said. “And we’d like to express that appreciation. We just appreciate everybody coming in because there’s lots of options between where they come from and Lake Vermilion.”
Dundas also expressed her gratitude for the support they’ve received from the Cook business community, which has been highly enthusiastic in their response.
And now, more than ever, there’s a reason to stop in Cook and make Northwoods Bait and Tackle a part of the Lake Vermilion fishing tradition.