Looking for info on the best place for my brother and I to take our boys this summer. 15 and 8 year olds, First real trip for both. Late July early august for walleye/crappie action. Dont have to be the biggest. You know kids... and I'm just a big one. Thinking of Spider or Ball club but I have never really fished the area. Only driven thru on my way to deer hunting or Lake Of The Woods. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. Jeff T.

Most lakes I know of only offer decent crappie fishing, at this time of the year, towards evening. Set up with bobbers, etc. and catch them for a couple hours before dark sets in. This is typical of a lot of lakes in the area.

There are, however, some stained lakes that offer crappies all day long, like Big Bear Lake. It's not a numbers game but the fish are nice. Also can pick off a few smaller walleyes here.

One lake that comes to mind as a great mid-day crappie fishery is Big Sandy Lake. Crappie Keith does well here all summer long. I've fished with him on this water and it is impressive. Nice fish, along with numbers.

For walleyes, there are a ton of options like Sand, Bowstring, Winnie, Cut Foot, etc. These lakes also have nice crappies.

You should have it nailed down by next year. Good luck.

Thanks Tuffenuff I am going to have a talk with a friend of mine who is pretty much a walleye/musky guy but has a cabin on Big Sandy. See iwhat he knows about the Crappie there. My brother also has some info on Echo Lake in St. Louis County. Sounds good also. Going to take son and wife out to Cedar by New Prague tomorrow. Gotta enjoy the weather while we have it. Thanks again.

I've guided on Echo, a stained lake that can be very good for both crappie and walleye. You'd have some fun there.

I've got a pretty good patternthat starts late July for slabs on BSL and then come evening for eyes at another lake close by.
Early August is a hot time for some great fishing.
just get up with me and we can get your boys on some fun action.
Here's a few sample pics from that Laborday weekend.If I recall the boat saw about 400 fish in those 3 days and nights of fishing. The pattern runs right up to when the water temps drop from 70 to 55 by late Sept. A full moon phase would help with the walleyes.
13-15 hour days were common with 2-3 fishers.

Nice bunch of fish ! I will most likely be up your way next summer. Would love to try some new lakes. Out Saturday and caught about 40 crappies. All small They seem to be stunted in Cedar lake by New Prague but their is a million of them in there. Couldn't get any walleye or toothies however.