Crappie

Crappie anglers will find opportunities around New Germany, Minnesota, though it requires some exploration to find the hotspots. Several smaller lakes in the area, like Lake Bavaria and some of the deeper ponds, hold crappie populations. Spring, as the water warms, is the absolute best time to target them, as they move into shallow bays to spawn. Look for submerged structure like brush piles or fallen trees in these areas. Small jigs tipped with minnows or crappie tubes are usually productive. A local tip: many of the smaller, less-publicized lakes can be accessed via township roads, but be respectful of private property. Later in the season, crappie tend to suspend in deeper water near structure, so using a depth finder is essential. New Germany area crappies tend to run smaller than in some of the larger Minnesota lakes, but the action can be fast and furious during the spawn.