Crappie

Crappie fishing near Cedarville, Illinois, centers around the many smaller lakes, ponds, and backwaters connected to the larger river systems in the region. These areas provide the ideal habitat for crappie, with plenty of submerged structure, vegetation, and shallow water for spawning. Spring is prime time, as the crappie move into the shallows to spawn. Look for them around brush piles, fallen trees, and weed beds in 2-6 feet of water. Small jigs tipped with minnows or wax worms are deadly. Summer can also be productive, but you'll need to fish deeper, around submerged structure in the main lake basins. Fall sees another flurry of activity as crappie feed up before winter. Try targeting areas near creek channels or drop-offs. Remember that crappie tend to school, so if you catch one, there are likely more nearby. A local tip: Pay attention to water clarity. In clearer water, use lighter line and more natural-colored baits. In murky water, brighter colors and larger profiles can help crappie find your lure.