Crappie

Crappie fishing near Willow Springs, Illinois, centers around the numerous forest preserve lakes and the Des Plaines River. These waters offer a mix of shallow, weedy areas and deeper channels that crappie frequent. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to target crappie as they move into the shallows to spawn. Look for them near submerged timber, brush piles, and docks. Small jigs tipped with minnows or crappie nibbles are highly effective. As the water warms in the summer, crappie will retreat to deeper, cooler water, often congregating around structure. Try fishing vertically with jigs or minnows near these deeper areas. A practical tip is to use a fish finder to locate submerged structure and schools of fish. The Des Plaines River can be productive, but be mindful of the current and potential snags. These crappie are typically good-sized, with some reaching over a pound, making for a rewarding fishing experience.