Crappie

If you're heading to Cumming, Georgia, with crappie on your mind, Lake Lanier is where you want to be. This reservoir, fed by the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers, offers diverse crappie habitat, from submerged timber and brush piles to bridge pilings and rocky points. Spring is prime time, as crappie move shallow to spawn. Look for them in the backs of creeks and coves. In the fall, they'll school up around deeper structure. A local tip: Lanier can get crowded, especially on weekends. Consider launching from Bald Ridge Creek Park for good access and less congestion. Also, crappie here can be finicky, so experiment with different jig colors and presentations. Pay close attention to your depth finder to locate schools and adjust your presentation accordingly.