Crappie

West Chicago offers some surprisingly good crappie fishing opportunities for anglers willing to explore its smaller lakes, ponds, and forest preserve waters. While not a trophy crappie destination, these waters often hold good numbers of fish, making for a fun day on the water. Spring is prime time, as crappie move shallow to spawn in weedy areas and near submerged timber. Focus on areas with brush piles or fallen trees. A small jig tipped with a minnow or waxworm is deadly. Another good time is the fall as the crappie fatten up for winter. Public access can be limited in some areas, so be sure to research access points and parking beforehand. Many of the forest preserve lakes offer shoreline access, but a small boat or kayak can greatly expand your fishing options. Be aware that many of these smaller bodies of water can ice over quickly in the winter, so exercise caution if ice fishing.