Crappie

Crappie fishing around Mizpah, Minnesota, offers a chance to target these panfish in a quieter setting than some of the more popular crappie destinations. The numerous smaller lakes in the area hold decent populations of crappie, often overlooked by larger boats. Spring, during the pre-spawn and spawn, is the best time to target them, as they move into shallow bays and around submerged vegetation. Small jigs tipped with minnows or plastics are highly effective. A local tip: Look for crappie around docks, brush piles, and any other structure that provides cover. Many of these lakes have smaller, more intimate bays that warm up quickly in the spring, drawing in the crappie. The crappie in these lakes may not be as large as those found in some of the bigger reservoirs, but the peaceful setting and potential for a good catch make it a worthwhile trip.