Crappie

Crappie fishing around Newark, Illinois, can be quite rewarding if you know where to look. The small lakes and backwaters connected to the Fox River are your best bet. These areas offer the shallow, weedy cover that crappie love, especially during the spring spawn. Early spring, as the water warms, is the peak season, followed by a resurgence in the fall as they fatten up for winter. Minnows and small jigs are the go-to baits, suspended under a bobber near submerged structure. A local trick is to check with nearby bait shops for intel on which ponds are producing the most fish. Crappie in this area aren't generally huge, but they are plentiful, providing ample opportunity for a tasty fish fry. Focus on areas with brush piles and submerged trees; crappie often congregate around these spots. Remember to practice catch and release on larger individuals to help maintain a healthy population.