Crappie Lake around Northfield

Looking for a decent crappie lake around Northfield to take my young kids out to in the evening. Anyone have some suggestions?

tmack,
I’d have to say that just down the road, west of Fairbaubt, is Mazaska and Shields, and French. all can be descent. I’d have to say Mazaska and Shields are the two best choices. look for the warmest shallow water. there may not be much for warmer water with the lately cooler weather and winds. good luck. report back. There is also a Southern MN Regional forum that may be some help, but there have been no new posts on there lately. good luck Jack..

If that don’t work……..

Head north to Crystal, Cedar, Marion, Orchard. All of these lakes have fishing piers and will host some decent crappies. You have to sort through if you are looking for keepers while shore fishing, but they are there.

If you are just lookin for activity, these 4 lakes will keep you busy with just the bazillion sunnies that are in there…………

Thanks Jack , I’ll see what I can do. With a 5 and a 4 year old in the boat, I’ll need to get some fish on right a way or I’ll be hearing, “Dad did you bring a snack?”

When I drive home from work I see a few boats in a back bay on Crystal near 35, always wondered how good the crappie fishing was in there? Looks out of the wind anyway.

Crystal has decent crappies. So does Orchard. You just have to search for them.

Like I said, if you just want to take the kids out for fun……….Go to Orchard. There are millions of sunnies in there (stunted) that you can’t keep off the hook. It makes for good entertainment for kids……..

Hey Gary, is Crystal lake the lake just south of Apple Valley? Where is Orchard lake? I have 3 grandaughters in Northfield ages almost 13 and 5 and 4 years old. Thanks, Bill

hi Bill,
Crystal lake is actually in Burnsville, and is north N. of co rd 46, and east of 35. if you picture yourself skiing on BuckHill on 35, flying down the HILL. the lake is clearly in view across the hwy 35.
Orchard lake is in lakeville. just south of BuckHill turn off 35 on hwy 50 to the west. in about 200-300 yards, turn left at the gas station and follow that west less than a mile. lake on right, has a park, and single ramp and limited trailer parking on south side of lake.
bust’em up, take the camera.
Jack..

Thanks Buddy. Sounds like some fun lakes to take the grandkids to.

Thanks, Bill

Bill;

Last summer, I took my daughter to Orchard. The sunnies are SO THICK in there, it is crazy!!! There was hundreds of them. Nothing of any size, but for kid entertainment, you just can’t ask for more. It gets to be a pain in the but at times, because you are spending more time releasing the fish, then the kids are fishing…….Don’t even bother fishing yourself……..

The one thing I did do, was cast out two rods and just let my kid reel in the fish. By the time she handed me the rod to release the sunny, she was cranking in the other rod with a fish, so I would cast out the first rod. By the time she handed me the second rod, the first rod already had a fish.

This went on for about 20 minutes……..Then even she got bored…….Thank God!!!!

I kid you not, that in those 20 minutes, we probably caught 20 to 30 sunnies……..

There is also some decent bass cruising around the shoreline too!!!

At Orchard, they have nice picnic tables and rest rooms at the park (which is next to the public access). So, it would make for a perfect afternoon with Grandpa and the kids. Also, down the street, there is a play ground next to the lake, which there are just as many fish there too!!!