As we prepare for the Minnesota fishing opener, anglers in the Grand Rapids, MN area have been targeting panfish with good success. The bite varies between two strategies depending on the day and the lake. A good place to start for crappie In cooler temps is to find weedlines that separate deep wintering areas from shallow spawning bays, harbors and channels. With the mild winter and low snow pack, there are left over standing weeds from the prior year. These are magnets for crappie in transition. Once you find standing weeds with your eyes or electronics, try to fish them from a distance to avoid breaking up the school. These fish are often on the move so technologies like side imaging and forward facing sonar can keep you on the fish. Use small 1/16oz hair jigs about 5 feet under a bobber to catch them. As the days and water temps warm, head into shallow muck bottom bays to find crappie and bluegill. This time of year panfish can be in a mere 6 inches of water seeking warmth so don’t be afraid to get way up there. Use a bobber set-up with jigs with crappie minnows, plastics, or hair to catch them. The bait need only be a few inches under the bobber in this scenario. As a rule of thumb, bays on the north end of lakes are the fastest to warm and fill with fish.
Report from Colt Anderson with Hang Loose Outdoors
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