Crappie

For crappie anglers near Lindenhurst, Illinois, the Chain O' Lakes system presents ample opportunity. Lakes like Catherine and Marie offer ideal crappie habitat, with plenty of submerged structure and weed beds. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to target crappie, as they move into shallower waters to spawn. Focus your efforts around docks, fallen trees, and brush piles in 5-10 feet of water. Small jigs tipped with minnows or crappie nibbles are highly effective. A local tip: try fishing under the Route 173 bridge on Lake Marie; the pilings often hold schools of crappie. During the summer months, crappie tend to move to deeper water, so try vertical jigging around submerged structure. Remember that crappie are schooling fish, so if you catch one, there are likely more nearby. Pay attention to your electronics to locate schools and adjust your presentation accordingly.