Crappie

Crappie fishing around Itasca, Illinois, can be quite rewarding if you know where to look. While Itasca itself doesn't have a renowned crappie hotspot, the surrounding forest preserve lakes and ponds offer plenty of opportunity. Busse Woods again comes into play, as its many interconnected pools hold decent crappie populations. Spring is undoubtedly the best time, as the crappie move shallow to spawn. Target areas with submerged timber, brush piles, and docks. Small jigs tipped with minnows or tubes are highly effective. During the summer months, crappie will often suspend deeper, near structure. A fish finder can be invaluable for locating them. A local tip: many of these lakes have relatively clear water, so using lighter line can improve your hook-up ratio. Also, check the depth frequently and adjust your float or jig accordingly. The crappie in these smaller lakes tend to school tightly, so finding one often means finding more.