Crappie

Crappie fishing near Leonard, Minnesota, offers a chance to target these panfish in a serene and less-pressured environment compared to more well-known destinations. The area is characterized by smaller, interconnected lakes and flowages, often featuring abundant weed growth and submerged timber that crappies love. Spring, during the pre-spawn and spawn, is a prime time to fish the shallows near these structures. Small jigs tipped with live minnows or plastics are highly effective. As the water warms in the summer, look for crappies suspending near deeper weed lines or submerged structure. A local tip: explore the lakes along the Turtle River. They offer good crappie habitat and are often overlooked by larger crowds. Pay attention to water clarity, as stained water can require brighter colored baits. Ice fishing is also popular here, with crappies often found in deeper basins during the winter months.