Crappie

If you're chasing crappie in northern Minnesota, Laporte offers some excellent opportunities. The region is dotted with smaller lakes and flowages connected to the Leech Lake River system, many of which hold healthy populations of slab crappies. Focus your efforts on structures like submerged timber, weed lines, and rocky points, especially in the spring and early summer as the crappies move shallow to spawn. Fall can also be productive as they school up again before winter. A local tip: check out Lake George; it has a good reputation for crappie fishing, with public access available. Be aware that the water can be stained, so brighter colored jigs and baits often work best. Ice fishing is also popular here, with crappies often suspending in deeper basins during the winter months. Remember to check ice conditions before venturing out.