Catch those crappies!
If you like late ice crappies-this is the time to grab a room and ice fish the Park Rapids area!
Fish are staging for the spring melt on the drop offs just outside spawning areas. Some crappies and Bluegills are already cruising the shallow weedy flats just outside old bulrush beds from last year in the 4-10 ft depth range. These fish can be caught by sight fishing by simply looking down the hole! Just about any small ice jig tipped with a spike or waxie will do the job.
No live bait? Sure—go with tiny natural colored plastics. Look for any Berkley GULP product in the mall jars. 3-4 lb. test line is perfect. 6 -8lb line is too heavy for any panfish. Be prepared for bonus bass and pike—so bring spare jigs! The bluegills and crappies can be mixed this time of the year—but if you want crappies only get out at sunrise or fish sunset.
Lotsa Fish! Lotsa Fun! Minnesota Fishing Guide Service, Captain Josh Hagemeister.
Fishing Links: DNR Urges Caution on Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
Making the trip up? Here’s where to stay.
Once you’re in the area, stop into the Tourist Information Center off of Highway 71 South in Park Rapids. We’ve got lake maps, river maps and more. What we don’t have, we’ll find for you.
Tourist Information Center
1204 Park Avenue South
Park Rapids, MN 56470
