Metro Lakes, Crappie and Kids!

The last few years of hustling home from traveling for work, only to pack up the boat, and leave for a guide trip or tournament was very tough on my family. After facing my own possible mortality this last January, I really got to thinking about my boys, and what they were missing. You may see more and more of my reports showing off some of my kids. Besides, they are much better looking than me anyway!

If any of you have heard the song by Tim McGraw "Live like you were dying" knows from where I speak. Anyway, a couple of the lads and I headed to Spring Lake near the town of Prior Lake. We have had great success in years past, and this year is shaping up to be no different. Size of the fish in this lake is really good for a Metro Lake that sees a lot of pressure. First off we noted how packed the landings were! We were there at 7:45AM thinking we could beat the water ski crowd. WRONG! They were parked across Highway 13! That is 1/2 mile from the landing! We were lucky enough to have a guy that had come in with his limit and was leaving. He had one of the first parking spots. We did our "Happy Dance" and unloaded the boat. LeRoy Carl and his son Justin shown here with a double, were not so lucky! They had to make the hike.

Finding the fish was not a problem. The crappies are lining up along the 4-7 foot weedline edges all around the lake. Bass and rather nice sunfish are inside. There were many people fishing traditional bobber set-ups, and catching fish. I prefer dragging jigs as opposed to having a couple of fan casters trying to give Dad a nice new "Crappie Jig Ear Ring!" So we pitched small jigs and minnows out, and dragged them behind us at .7 to 1 MPH with the bow mount. We get to see a little of the lake, and caught some nice eaters. We even ran Mimic Minnows for a bit and had similar success.

Prior, Orchard, Marion and others in the Prior Lake area are doing very well also. If you know of any kids that would like to share a boat with you, these lakes would be good options. Landings have facilities for the external plumbing impaired.

With the ARM event coming up in July, many of us will be giving some kids the opportunity to get out and fish for a day. For details, look up the information here on IDA pertaining to ARM, which stands for Anglers as Role Models. It is a great way to show a young’un that there is more to life than concrete and streets!

If you would like other recommendations on where to bring kids or older adults, just drop me a line!

Tuck