Crappie

Crappie fishing around Homewood, Illinois, can be quite rewarding if you know where to look. The smaller lakes and ponds within the forest preserves, as well as the sloughs and backwaters of the Little Calumet River, hold decent populations of crappie. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to target them, particularly during the pre-spawn and spawn periods when they move into shallow water. Look for areas with submerged structure, like fallen trees, brush piles, and docks. A key tip is to use a small jig tipped with a minnow or plastic tube bait under a bobber, fishing it slowly around these structures. Access to these fishing spots is generally good, with many areas accessible by foot. The crappie in this area tend to be on the smaller side, but the action can be consistent, especially if you locate a concentration of fish. Be mindful of fishing pressure, and consider using lighter line and smaller baits to increase your chances of success.