You can find additional information at www.upperredlakeassn.com, or by calling the Northwood’s Lakes Area at 1-866-866-1866.

FERGUS FALLS AREA
The Fergus Falls area is home to some very unique crappie fishing opportunities, thanks to numerous harvest and size restrictions. The majority of lakes with crappie regulations are located in the Fergus Falls area.

“The lakes with crappie regulations are really good fisheries that only seem to be getting better over time,” said Jim Wolters, the DNR’s assistant fisheries manager for the region. “We have so many small and large lakes with good crappie populations, anglers around here have a great time.”

Two such lakes with special regulations are North and South Lida lakes Pelican Rapids in Otter Tail County. There is an 11-inch minimum-size restriction on the lakes that, Wolters said, has been in place since 1997, which is plenty of time to improve the average size of crappies.

There are special regulations for Norway Lake as well. But instead of a size restriction, there’s a reduced harvest limit of only five crappies.

Not all the good crappie lakes in the area have special regulations, with Star Lake being a prime example. Wolters said this large lake has a ton of habitat for crappie production. Still, special regulations seem to be the best tool for protecting the crappie fishery. Special regulations are being added this year on Franklin Lake near Pelican Rapids. Check the regulations for details.

For a truly unique crappie angling experience, anglers should fish Annie Battle Lake in Glendalough Park. This lake has a restriction on all motorized and battery-operated equipment, which means a canoe, rowboat or wading are the only ways to fish the lake. “It gives people the opportunity to go after crappies using primitive methods, relative to modern equipment like motors, depthfinders and ice augers,” Wolters said.

Additional information can be found at www.visitfergusfalls.com or by calling the Fergus Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-726-8959.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
The Mississippi is home to a massive crappie population that is generally overlooked by the vast majority of river rats. Walleyes, smallmouth bass and catfish are their preferred species, which is just fine with your average crappie angler.

Tuma loves chasing walleyes and bass on the river, but he’s never one to turn down the chance for a crappie filet, and he enjoys spending time on the Mississippi. The entire river system from north to south has the potential for crappies, but the best opportunity lies south of Red Wing.

“That’s the best area in May and June, but they do move quite a lot. So just because an area was good today doesn’t mean it will be that way tomorrow,” Tuma said.

Riprapped areas without a lot of current are great locations to begin searching for spring river slabs. The fish can be very shallow in these areas, as well as at the tips of wing dams. River crappies tend to prefer calmer areas without significant current.