Crappie

Crappie fishing near Chino Hills can be surprisingly productive in the smaller lakes and reservoirs dotting the landscape. While not a trophy crappie destination, these waters offer consistent action, especially during the spring spawning season (March-May) when crappie move into the shallows to nest. Focus your efforts around submerged structure like brush piles, fallen trees, and docks. Small jigs tipped with live minnows or crappie nibbles are deadly. The fall (September-November) is another excellent time as crappie school up before winter. Anglers should check local regulations for permitted lakes and any specific size or bag limits. A key to success is often finding the right depth, so experiment with your presentation. Some of the smaller, less-pressured lakes accessible from Chino Hills State Park can hold good numbers of crappie, but be prepared to hike a bit to reach them.