Crappie

Crappie enthusiasts visiting Brookston, Minnesota, will find some decent opportunities in the area's many small lakes and reservoirs. While not a crappie fishing mecca, these waters hold populations of slab-sized crappies. Focus your efforts on lakes with submerged timber, weed beds, and other structure where crappies congregate. Spring, during the pre-spawn and spawn, is the most productive time, as crappies move into shallow bays to reproduce. Look for water temperatures in the 60-65 degree Fahrenheit range. Small jigs tipped with minnows or plastic trailers are deadly. A local tip: Many of the lakes around Brookston are relatively shallow, so a good fish finder can be invaluable for locating crappie schools and structure. Also, be mindful of the wind; it can quickly stir up these smaller lakes, impacting water clarity and fishing conditions. The bite tends to be best in the early morning and late evening.