PANFISH:
The most consistent bite all summer on Park Rapids lakes has been crappie, with a booming year class of fish in the 11-inch plus range. To locate these schools, start by slowly trolling the outside weed edges in around 16 feet with a 1/8 to 1/16 ounce jig and small plastics like the Clam Niku Bolt Minnow. Once you locate fish, stop and begin casting as the schools are in concentrated areas. When casting, let the jig fall slowly to bottom and pay close attention to your line, as many of the bites are difficult to feel but easier to see on the fall. Cabbage weeds are king, but the diversity of weeds makes for better cover. Just don’t focus on impenetrably thick weeds.
WALLEYE:
For walleye, rigging minnows parallel to inside or outside weed edges has been good for picking up some big fish on smaller (sleeper) lakes. If you know your electronics well, you can even pick out fish in the weeds and fish them a variety of ways, including paddle tail swimbaits and spinners over the top.
