Crappie

Crappie fishing around Morton Grove can be surprisingly rewarding, especially if you know where to look. The Forest Preserves of Cook County maintain several lakes and ponds that are regularly stocked and managed for recreational fishing, and many of these hold decent populations of crappie. Busse Woods Lake is a popular option, offering good access and plenty of submerged structure that crappie love. Spring, during the pre-spawn and spawn, is prime time. Target shallow, weedy areas with jigs or minnows suspended under a bobber. Fall is another excellent time as crappie school up before winter. A local tip is to focus on areas near submerged timber or brush piles. These fish tend to school tightly, so when you find one, you'll likely find more. Also, be aware of any size or creel limits posted by the Forest Preserve District to ensure you're fishing legally and sustainably. Small jigs in white, chartreuse, or black/chartreuse combinations tend to work well.