My parents are flying in for a visit this week and Dad wants to go fishing. I have some decent bass spots we can hit but he enjoys panfishing also. Any ideas on were we can fish in the south metro for decent gills or crappie. Not looking for secret spots just some smaller lakes that hold good size panfish, Thanks guys! D. 
I have not fished on the south since moving to the west metro 3 years ago but I have hit Prior at the right time for gills as well as Carl’s (McMhan)lake,cedar lake in New Market was good about 4 years ago and then slowed but may be good again. Good luck and report back if you found them. 
decent size and the metro are two words that make it hard to put together.
Prior will hold decent fish, as well as Spring lake. Don’t be afraid to head to Cedar down by New Prague.
Nice gills can be found on Minnetonka!
Marion, Orchard, and Crystal are tough lakes to find decent keepers, but if you weed through the little guys and fish a bitter deeper on the weed edges, you may find some keeper fish for the fry pan.
IF you are just looking for non-stop action, go to Orchard (plus there is good bass in orchard). Another place to go for action only with an occasional keeper is Holland Lake on Cliff Road and Lexington. No boats allowed on that lake, but it has a nice fishing pier and park with restrooms if your father is a bit older.
The sunnies at Holland are rediculous. There by the 1000s and all hungry. You will burn up a 500 count of wax worms in about 2 hours on little ones, but there are some NICE keepers in there. It is just that the little ones get in the way. This is a GREAT place to take a kid for action too.
Thanks for the info guys. It turns out he really wants to fish the river for smallies and or cats. We did hit a spot today and between Dad and my five year old they caught about fifteen or so bullheads,one bass and I caught a decent pike. Friday we will try the river although I’m apprehensive since I’ve never fish rivers! I’ll let you know how it goes! D.
Not that I’m plugging Evert’s resort or anything….BUT…we have a group staying here that brought in …well…it was a 5 gallon pail full of channel cat guts today…I’m thinking there might have been 6 or so carcasses in there. This last weekend a group of three brought in 32 channels between 8 and 11 am.
Launching is free and I watch your vehical while your gone with my 12 gauge. 
But I ate all of Dean’s brownies last night..so I can’t offer you any.
Someone said there’s bass around here too…but I would have to talk with someone more knowledgeable in that area.
There have been some gills caught under docks and on the inside of the wing dams…but there are better places to fish for them…and I wouldn’t come down here just for gills now.
nice smallies down on the wingdamn just south of the resort. also some eyes there too.
shane 
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