Panfish

[LeviathanMN]

Wanna start my boy off earlier this year...any spots with Crappie or Sunfish at this time of the year?

[eyeguy 54]

welcome to the site! let the guys know if from shore or boat. some ideas will pop up.

[LeviathanMN]

Shore side...sadly

[LucasMN]

The little rock bridge. Can even get a little crowded. Otherwise on the way to St. Johns there are two lake's, one on each side of the road. Never caught anything worth keeping but plenty of small sunfish, can't remember the names.

Wish I could help more but I'm trying to find some different spots myself since the boats still in storage.

[LeviathanMN]

Sorry forgot to respond, thanks. We did some at Little Rock bridge and been nothing but perch, but was good fun for the boy. 

Didn't want to be shore bound, so got an older boat to get out. Still new to the boat thing, but have had it out couple times and enjoyed much. Was debating trying on Pleasant Lake....Anyone have any luck there?

[Rick G]

Plesant can be a good numbers lake. Try in front of the 400 club in 5-8 ft depending on how thick the weeds are. Otherwise if you go to the far side of the lake from rhe access there is a bullrush point, try around that for a few crappues and gills. Minnows under a bobber close to any weedline will get you a few northerns and bass. 

From shore, try the fishing pier below the St Cliud dam, lots of panfish in that bay.  You could also hit the ponds in Heritage park, quite a few sunfish and even some crappies in there. 

[Tom Sawyer]

Lake George is probably the easiest spot to fish around town for youngsters, and if they get bored the DQ is just down the road. Granted there isn't much for size, but being able to walk over to any side of the lake to put the wind behind a beginner is always a plus. While biking around the lake today, I noticed some fish coming up in the shallows. Some better spots to start off, would be the NW pier, SW corner, also West of the paddle boat docks in the SE corner of the lake.

HAVE FUN!!!  

[Tom Sawyer]

Another option for beginners, for a minimal fee is to visit Quarry Park just West of St. Cloud, and fish for stocked trout. I know you mentioned panfish, but these fish can be just as easy. Fishing with slip float with bait is a great way to spend an afternoon. No need to worry much about wind, and trout are terrific fighters even if they're small. 

[LeviathanMN]

Thanks for the tips, I was recently thinking of trying Quarries. My boy is getting real good for age 6 and will fish whatever he can. Had him out couple times in boat and open face went well so no going back.