Crappie

Crappie anglers visiting Mabel, Minnesota, will find some decent opportunities in the numerous small lakes and ponds scattered throughout the region. These waters often hold healthy populations of black crappie, offering fun and accessible fishing. Spring, during the pre-spawn and spawn, is the peak time, when crappies move into shallow weedy areas near shore. Look for submerged brush, docks, and lily pads. A local hotspot is often the shallow bays of the larger lakes. Small jigs tipped with minnows or plastics are highly effective. A slip bobber rig allows you to precisely control the depth of your presentation. Check local bait shops for the best minnow selection. The crappies in these lakes tend to school tightly, so when you find one, you're likely to find more. Remember to practice selective harvesting to ensure the health of the population for future fishing trips.