Crappie

Donaldson, Arkansas, is a great base for exploring the crappie fishing on Lake DeGray. This clear-water lake offers excellent crappie habitat, with plenty of submerged timber, brush piles, and standing trees. Spring is the peak season, as the crappie move into shallow coves and creek arms to spawn. However, you can find crappie year-round if you know where to look. For bank access, try the areas around the Arlie Moore Recreation Area or the spillway below the dam. If you have a boat, focus on fishing around submerged structure in 10-20 feet of water. Jigs and minnows are the go-to baits, and a simple slip-bobber rig is very effective. The crappie in Lake DeGray tend to be relatively good-sized, thanks to the lake's healthy forage base. A local tip is to use a fish finder to locate brush piles and submerged timber, as these are crappie magnets. Also, be mindful of the lake's regulations regarding crappie size and creel limits.