Why Zero Trace Baits Is A Game Changer For Anglers

For fans of the great Minnesota outdoors, there are so many things to do. From hunting, hiking, to boating, and fishing, all you've got to do is pick a direction and go. It is when we go to truly special places, like the BWCA in Northern Minnesota, that we want to treat them better than we found them; that practice is called 'leaving no trace'. One Minnesota company has taken that philosophy/practice to heart with its artificial bait.

From A Barn To A Lake/River Near You

Evan Rechelbacher, the founder and president of Zero Trace Baits, got the idea for a biodegradable artificial bait while he was in college and decided to give it a go. Evan is now making his bait by hand in a barn in Long Lake, Minnesota.

Evan's capstone project while attending St. Thomas University was to create a biodegradable soft bait without the use of microplastics. It took him around a year and a half to get the right formula, plus he's added unique scent profiles, which are amino acid-derived and water-soluble, that he has found to bring in fish from further out, creating more opportunities to yell 'Fish On!' in front of your buddies.

Leave No Trace Shouldn't Stop When You Fish

For fans of the outdoors who actively practice leaving no trace, losing artificial bait while fishing definately leaves a trace, so creating something that would 'disappear' was important to Evan.

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I asked him how long it takes his bait to dissolve if it's lost in a lake or river, and his answer surprised me. It takes about a week.

If It's Biodegradable, How Long Can I Fish With It?

I had to ask Evan the big question: if it's biodegradable, how long can you use it on your line? He indicated that it was good for about an hour of jigging, and has had 3rd party reviews of the product to back that up. His bait has also been tested for durability and received positive reviews.

Where You Can Find It Or Learn More

Evan informed me that most BWCA outfitters are already carrying his Zero Trace Baits, but people can learn more and even order the bait online through his website, ZeroTraceBaits.com.

You can also learn more about the history of Zero Trace Baits by watching the video below.

Tell Us You're From Minnesota (Without Saying You're From Minnesota)

We asked you to tell us you were from Minnesota, without actually saying you were from Minnesota. The results were very funny, and very Minnesotan -- ranging from comments about the weather and sports, to food and mosquitoes.

Gallery Credit: Pete Hanson