Crappie

If you're after crappie near Gaylord, Minnesota, you'll want to set your sights on the area's many smaller lakes and reservoirs. While not a trophy crappie destination, these waters can provide consistent action, especially during the spring and fall. Focus your efforts around submerged structure like brush piles, weed edges, and fallen timber. Spring (late April-May) is prime time as crappies move shallow to spawn. Use small jigs tipped with minnows or plastics under a bobber, fishing slowly and methodically. In the fall (September-October), crappies will often school up in deeper water near structure. A practical tip is to check the local bait shops for intel on which lakes are producing and what the crappies are biting on. Public access is generally good on many of these lakes, but be mindful of private property. The crappie in this region average a decent size, so you can expect a good fight.