Spring Crappie Lake

[WCT]

I have been given the job of finding a new lake for our group's spring(late May/earlyJune)crappie trip. We have been doing this for a number of years and have moved around most of the state. This year we want to target a lake or lakes in the upper third of the state. Anyone have any suggestions as to where we can go with a reasonable expectation of catching some nice sized crappies? Any and all help will be appreciated. Thanks Old Sneller

[schr0563]

Late May/early June is prime time for the fish to be in the bull rushes spawning, and it's this time of year I go searching for trophies. Since I am strictly looking for big girls, I stick to large bodies of water. I feel that my odds of finding an undiscovered school of giant crappies in the shallows is better on bigger bodies of water. My experiences have been mostly around Alexandria (Miltona, Ida) and Brainerd (North Long). I realize you are looking to go further north, but I would imagine the fishing is much the same. 60-62 degree water is perfect. Just keep searching until you find them. And of course, when the fish are vulnerable like this make sure you practice selective harvest.

[Team Otter]

Blackduck Lake.

[Scott K]

URL is the only way to go!

[Meat-Run]

can you actually spot'n stock crappies on URL? I figure the water is to dirty to see them on beds?

mr

[Team Otter]

I've seen schools of crappies on URL in the open water that would not make "spot 'n' stock" necessary.

[fisherdog19]

Rainy Lake, heard there's some nice ones in there.

[Scott K]

You can see them, the schools are so big! If one had a helicopter, and dropped you down on these schools. I seen images from satalite, schools were over a mile long!

[Fish&Fowl]

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Rainy Lake, heard there's some nice ones in there.

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Only on the Canadian side are you going to find fishable numbers of crappies. Black Bay on our side offers crappies, but you will work for them like no other. Plus this spring with the low water, Black Bay will be a mine field even to people who know the lake well.

And yes when you do get into the crappies they are usually nice fish!

[RonZych]

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Blackduck Lake.

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It's the one in the town of Blackduck. There is at least one other Blackduck in the northern half of MN.

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You can see them, the schools are so big! If one had a helicopter, and dropped you down on these schools. I seen images from satalite, schools were over a mile long!

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Not anymore.

[Scott K]

You maybe correct, this was a few years ago I seen this, but I was impressed!