Crappie

Crappie fishing around Lake Forest can be surprisingly productive in some of the local reservoirs. While not as famous as other crappie destinations, lakes like Irvine Lake (if accessible) and some of the smaller community lakes can hold decent populations. Spring is generally the best time to target crappie, as they move into shallower waters to spawn. Look for structure like submerged brush, docks, or weed beds, as these areas provide cover for crappie and attract baitfish. Small jigs tipped with minnows or crappie nibbles are highly effective. Vary your retrieve until you find what the fish are responding to. A practical tip is to use a bobber to suspend your bait at the desired depth, as crappie often hold at specific levels in the water column. Remember that crappie can be sensitive to fishing pressure, so try to fish during off-peak hours and move around if you're not getting bites. The crappie in these SoCal lakes may not be giants, but they can provide a fun and rewarding fishing experience.