Crappie

If you're looking to fill your cooler with crappie in Northeast Georgia, Clarkesville offers some excellent opportunities. The key is to focus on the Chattahoochee River and its associated reservoirs like Lake Burton and Lake Rabun. These lakes are known for their healthy crappie populations that thrive around submerged timber and bridge pilings. Spring is prime time, as the crappie move shallow to spawn. Look for them in the backs of creeks and coves in April and May. A simple minnow rig or small jig under a float is often all you need. For a shot at bigger slabs, try fishing deeper brush piles in the summer and fall. Keep an eye on water clarity; crappie prefer slightly stained water. Public access is available at several boat ramps around Lake Burton and Rabun, but be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends during the spring spawn. Remember to check the Georgia DNR regulations for creel limits and size restrictions.