In Minnesota, a 2-pound crappie is considered a huge fish. Over the past 10 years, anglers were conditioned to head north to Red Lake because local hype made them believe it was the best option for big crappies.

Anglers that made the trek to this huge North Country lake weren't disappointed, but many downstate anglers could have stayed closer to home. Lakes in Minnesota's prairie pothole region produce some big crappies, and the mid-south spattering of lakes around Mankato and Faribault boast some outstanding numbers of crappies and support an active year-round bite.

Maybe these downstate lakes don't generate the ink that other lakes do because anglers tend to take their fishing trips up north while keeping their southern lakes a secret!

Well, it's time to get the word out about Minnesota's big downstate crappies. Some anglers like to set the hook on big crappies -- anything over 1 pound. There are lakes in the downstate region that will satisfy these "lunker hunters."

Some anglers want to catch a lot of fish. Size is a consideration, but three fish to a pound is considered a good catch. Numbers lakes are abundant in the downstate area, with plenty of respectable fish for those that don't want to wait long between bites.

Let's start out profiling a lake that gives you the best of both worlds: big fish and plenty of them.

LAKE SHETEK
Murray County
Lake Shetek is the epitome of prairie pothole lakes. At slightly over 3,800 acres, you would be hard-pressed to find water over 10 feet deep. The bottom is a mixture of rubble, sand and mud, and the water clarity doesn't allow for the growth of deep vegetation. Structure is non-existent, so how does one find crappies on Lake Shetek? Cover some water and search for them! (Continued)

A viable search program on a large lake with little vegetation or structure consists of a drift while casting 1/8-ounce jig tipped with a 2- or 3-inch plastic grub.

Although using a marker buoy tends to pull in other boats, marking the spot where you hook that first crappie is imperative. The fish are often so tightly schooled that a marker can put you on the exact spot. Some of the newer GPS units will plot a tight line, and with a marked point can keep you on a spot, but you will have to keep one eye glued to the sonar screen or you're off the spot.

An anchor comes in real handy on Shetek when you find those crappies, but an anchor down is another big draw to other anglers.

If you're catching fish, expect company on Shetek. It's a popular lake because of the quality of its crappie and walleye fishery.

For more information, check out www.murray-countymn.com.

INDIAN LAKE
Nobles County
Barely over 200 acres, Indian Lake is one that requires some research before fishing. This southern border lake has a maximum depth that is barely over 6 feet, and a hard winter will result in a partial winterkill, knocking down the numbers of crappies significantly.

What this also does is produce some big crappies, real bruisers over 14 inches that anglers will appreciate, even though there can also be some time between bites.

Typically, the fishing pressure on small, shallow lakes like Indian occurs in spring and fall when the water is not loaded with algae and the fish tend to bite readily. Higher water temperatures can put crappies in a lethargic state, and the lack of visibility creates a tougher bite.

In spring and fall, a small minnow under a bobber drifted along until a fish bites is a good way to locate a school of fish. This tactic will also result in some big perch and a few bullheads, but be persistent. When you do find that school of crappies, there will be some big fish in the mix.

Before making a trip to Indian Lake, contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' regional office at (507) 831-2900 and ask about the winterkill situation.

For more information on the area, check out the Worthington tourism Web site at www.wgtn.net.