We're only about 2 weeks away from open water crappie fishing, here in the Twin Cities area. Dates are starting to fill up and won't last once everyone sees the lakes opening up! The crappie pre-spawn and spawn time is some of the funnest fishing of the season, loaded with fast action and lots of hooksets! Don't wait to book, get on the calendar!

People are getting the itch for open water! June musky trips are filling quickly. I still have some prime June dates available so don't wait to book, they will NOT last long the closer we get to the opener!

May is one of the best months of the year for spring crappie fishing on metro lakes. As water temperatures climb into the upper 50s and 60s, crappies move shallow to spawn, making them accessible and aggressive for anglers who know where to look. Where to Find Crappies in May On metro-area lakes, crappies typically stage and spawn in 2–6 feet of water. Focus on: Shallow bays and pockets protected from wind Reed beds, bulrushes, and pencil reeds Shoreline brush, fallen trees, and docks Dark-bottom areas that warm quickly Early and late in the day, crappies often slide even tighter to cover, while mid-day fish may hold just outside spawning areas. Best Spring Crappie Presentations In May, slow and subtle presentations are key: Small jigs (1/32–1/16 oz) with soft plastics Live minnows under a slip float Vertical jigging along cover from a boat Keep your jig just above the fish—crappies feed upward, especially in shallow water. Boat Positioning and Stealth Metro lakes see heavy fishing pressure in spring. Keep noise to a minimum, use your trolling motor on low, and make long casts when possible. Precise boat control often makes the difference between a good day and a great one. Why May Is Prime Time Stable weather, predictable fish movement, and shallow water combine to make May ideal for both beginners and experienced anglers. With the right tactics, limits can come quickly on metro lakes. If you’re looking to shorten the learning curve, guided spring crappie trips offer the fastest way to dial in seasonal patterns and put more fish in the boat.