Crappie

If you're chasing crappie in Alabama, Goshen offers some promising freshwater opportunities. While not as well-known as some of the larger lakes in the state, the smaller lakes and ponds around Goshen can hold surprisingly good populations of crappie. Focus your efforts on areas with submerged timber, brush piles, and creek channels – crappie love structure. Spring is prime time, as the crappie move shallow to spawn. Fish near the banks with jigs or minnows under a bobber. Another good time is the fall, as the fish feed up before winter. A local tip: check with the Goshen Town Hall for information on public access points to smaller ponds. Remember that water levels can fluctuate, so be prepared to adjust your presentation accordingly. The crappie here tend to be a mix of black and white crappie, often in the 1/2 to 1 pound range, with the occasional larger fish.