Crappie

Crappie fishing around Clarksville, Arkansas, is a rewarding pursuit, especially if you key in on the seasonal movements of these tasty panfish. Lake Dardanelle, a sprawling reservoir on the Arkansas River, is the go-to spot. Spring is the peak season when crappie move into shallow coves and brush piles to spawn. Use jigs or minnows suspended under a bobber to target these fish. As the water warms in the summer, crappie retreat to deeper water near submerged structure. Try fishing around bridge pilings or submerged timber using small crankbaits or jigs. Fall is another excellent time to fish for crappie as they move back into the shallows to feed before winter. A local hotspot is the Illinois Bayou arm of Lake Dardanelle; the old roadbed there holds plenty of crappie. Be mindful of the daily limits and size restrictions.