Crappie

Crappie anglers around Pecatonica often find success in the backwaters and sloughs connected to the Pecatonica River. These areas offer the shallow, weedy habitat that crappie prefer. Spring is the prime time, as crappie move into these shallow areas to spawn. Small jigs tipped with minnows or tubes are the go-to baits. Focus on submerged timber, brush piles, and weed edges. A local trick is to use a slip bobber to present your bait at the correct depth. The crappie population in these areas can fluctuate, but some years offer excellent fishing. Access to these backwaters can be challenging in some areas, so a small boat or kayak can be helpful. Look for public access points near bridges and road crossings. The crappie in the Pecatonica River system tend to be on the smaller side, but they can be found in good numbers during the spring spawn.