Crappie

If you're chasing crappie in the Gentry, Arkansas area, you'll want to focus on the nearby reservoirs. While there are smaller ponds and lakes, the larger bodies of water offer the best crappie populations. Spring is undoubtedly the best time, as crappie move into shallow brush and around docks to spawn. Look to Beaver Lake and Lake Elmdale, both easily accessible from Gentry. Minnows and jigs fished under a bobber are classic crappie presentations that work well here. A helpful tip: many anglers find success spider-rigging multiple poles from a boat, slowly trolling along creek channels in the spring. Also, check local fishing reports before you go. Beaver Lake can fluctuate in water level, which can affect crappie location. The crappie here are generally good-sized, with some real slabs to be caught each year.