Crappie

Crappie anglers around Ridott, Illinois, should focus their attention on the smaller lakes, ponds, and reservoirs dotted throughout the landscape. These often-overlooked waters can hold surprisingly good populations of crappie. Spring is the absolute best time to fish for crappie, as they move into shallow water to spawn. Look for them around submerged brush, docks, and weed beds in the shallows. A local tip: use small jigs or minnows suspended under a bobber to target these spawning fish. Summer can still be productive, but you'll need to fish deeper, around structure. Many of the smaller ponds are privately owned, so always get permission before fishing. Public access to larger reservoirs can be found, but be prepared for some competition from other anglers. The crappie in this region tend to be of average size, with most fish falling in the 8-10 inch range, but the numbers can be impressive, providing for some excellent panfishing opportunities.