Best crappie lake in central minnesota

[noska]

If you were going to rate your top 3-5 crappie lakes to have the best potential to catch a 15" or bigger crappie in central mn what would they be? Just curious what everyone would rate their top lakes to have a chance at a big one between now and open water season...

Thanks

[RawHog]

Throw a dart at a map in northern mn near detroit lakes or ely and youll have a pretty good shot.

[Rick G]

I would pick the biggest lakes in the area. Koronis and Clearwater would be my top choises.

The crappie in my avatar is a bit over 15in, it's still swiming in Cleawater

[IceHawk]

I would say for this part of the state I would have to agree with Rick Koronis and Clearwater. Outside of here a little NW my go to lake is Pelican in Ashby and numerous lakes around the Pelican Rapids Fergus Falls area. I am a strong advvocate about a slot on crappies. I know of a few lakes that have a 11 inch minimum rule and I tell you it helps. This year I have caught and released 6 over 14 plus a 15 1/4 and 15 1/2 incher. Slots work for big Pies. I also encourage others to CPR any crappie over 11 inches to help promote the opportunity to create lakes with trophys locally even though we have no slot rules implemented.

[bturck]

these lakes are a little north of us but hold big fish: Long Lake north of Grey Eagle and Wabedo north of Pine River..

I agree with Icehawk, i don't believe overall enough is done to protect the crappie with size limits.

Last summer on the lake where we have our cabin we released just short of 900 crappies and i don't believe we had 1/2 dz that would have gone over 12 " . that was not the case 10 years ago when we first bought it. the pressure is unbelievable. for obvious reasons i'm not naming the lake. we just need to do all we can with C/R to protect the resource's.

[pushbutton]

Best lakes around here are those bigger productive lakes like Clearwater and Rice/Koronis. Would definitely give the nod to Green for year in and year out consistency, but good luck through the ice....bring some extra gas for the auger Find some structure or feeding flat near where they school up during the day and hit up that evening bite window. Instead of spending all that effort, might just want to hit up Bolfing or some of those pockets I mentioned to you earlier. The fish are there....

[Guest]

Throw a dart at a map in northern mn near detroit lakes or ely and youll have a pretty good shot.

I'll just about second this. I fish the Detroit Lakes area and I have about a dozen lakes within 40 miles that put out quantity and quality day in and day out and I keep finding new hot spots every year in different lakes in the area. I only chase crappies with no time given to eyes and that focus helps. Had a day about a month ago I caught 7 over 14" and my PB 16" plus a bunch of "eaters" on an area lake and I was the only one fishing it.

[Guest]

There are many lakes holding giants in central MN. All depends how many holes you want to drill

[Borch]

Any of the lakes in the area are capable of producing a couple 15" crappies. But to have a legitimate change of catching one is another story all together.

Spend some time on the MN Lakefinder website doing research and you could find a gem closer than you think.

[balsa]

My picks would be koronis and green lake.

[monstermoose78]

My favorites are the little lakes that don't get much pressure. If you do some leg work you can find big crappies around. Once you do find them little special lakes keep your mouth buttoned up and practice C&R on the big slabs. O yeah and do not fish the lake everyday. Why because if you do people will start to wonder why you are fishing the lake every day and you will have company soon. I fish one of the little lakes maybe 2 times a winter. I do not keep any fish out of it, because people have waited to see how I have done and when you have an empty bucket they just shake their heads.

[leech~~]

So, monster, do you and I have to walk in or should I bring my snowmobile?

[monstermoose78]

Well Leech I could use the walk, but might would go ride on the way back to the truck.