Crappie

Crappie fishing around Round Lake Beach can be very rewarding, especially in the spring. The Round Lake chain, with its interconnected lakes, holds a decent population of both black and white crappie. Focus your efforts around submerged structure like fallen trees, docks, and weed beds. Spring is the best time, as the crappie move into the shallows to spawn. Look for areas with warmer water temperatures. A local tip is to try fishing near the bridge connecting Round Lake and Long Lake. The bridge pilings provide excellent cover for crappie. Small jigs and minnows are the go-to baits here, fished under a bobber or slow-retrieved. The crappie in this area tend to school up, so if you catch one, there are likely more nearby. During the summer months, crappie often move to deeper water, so adjust your tactics accordingly. Also, be mindful of any local regulations regarding size and bag limits.