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Crappies - any shorefishing opportunities around here in the spring?


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I grew up down in St. Cloud MN and when I was a kid one of my favorite activities was to chase after when they came shallow after ice out. Are there some opportunities to do that around here? I was thinking about trying the Pike Chain over by Iron River, but I'm not sure. Any community holes? BTW - I'll be taking the little ones, 5 and 2.

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Back bays of the St.Louis on the Wi. side have shore crappie areas but I wouldnt take kids that young its quite a treck.

Also some spots up river on the Mn side by perch lake you can try but its really hit n miss in the spring. Seems better in late fall.

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I too grew up in an area where as soon as the ice was off the lakes you could hop in the car and drive to many different lakes with shallow bays and shore fishing access. but around here it seams that the bays the fish head to early are not accessable from shore and you really do need a boat. Yesterday I had to barrow a friends canoe to get to the craps because my boat is still in the shop frown.gif As for the pike lake chain, It would be a decent place to try and there are spots to fish from shore but I dont think those lakes will be ready for another week. The fish are just starting to move into shallow water near Minong/ Hayward area. I dont even know if pike chain has lost all of its ice yet. Northlander is right about the bays in the St. Louis being good places but most spots are a long walk in and the water is so low that everything near shore is a muddy mess. I dont know much about north of duluth if you wanted to try some MN lakes but I think it would be a little early for them too.

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I just thought of the Island Lake Bridge. Try around the pilings. There are crappies in there at times.

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island lake bridge, fish lake dam has some nice bluegills and a couple crappies...once when i was little my dad caught the biggest sunfish i've ever seen there.

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Ive fished off of the fish lake dam on the river side of it and you can get some panfish as well as an occasional walleye or northern.

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    • mulefarm
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    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • Rick G
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    • monstermoose78
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    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
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