Crappie

Crappie fishing near Lake Alfred can be incredibly rewarding, especially during the cooler months. The Winter Haven Chain of Lakes offers a diverse range of habitats that support a healthy crappie population. Look for crappie around submerged structure, such as brush piles, docks, and bridge pilings. The canals connecting the lakes are also productive areas. Winter and early spring are the best times to target crappie, as they school up in large numbers before spawning. A local tip: The deeper sections of Lake Cannon are known to hold crappie throughout the year. Use light tackle and small jigs or minnows fished under a float. Adjust your depth until you find where the fish are holding. Also, pay attention to the wind direction, as crappie often congregate on the windward side of the lake.