Crappie

If you're after crappie near North Utica, Illinois, the backwaters and sloughs off the Illinois River can be productive. These areas offer the calm, shallow water and abundant cover that crappie love. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to target them, as they move into these areas to spawn. Look for crappie near submerged brush, fallen trees, and weed beds. Small jigs tipped with minnows or crappie nibbles are the go-to bait. Fish them under a bobber to keep them suspended at the right depth. As the water warms, crappie will retreat to deeper water near structure. Try fishing around docks, bridge pilings, and submerged timber. A key to success is to be patient and experiment with different depths and presentations. A good starting point is the backwaters near Starved Rock State Park, accessible by boat or kayak. The crappie in these backwaters can be surprisingly large, making for a rewarding fishing experience.