Crappie

For crappie fishing near Arthur, Iowa, focus on the smaller lakes and ponds that dot the landscape. These waters, often overlooked, can hold surprisingly good populations of crappie. Spring is the prime time, as crappie move into shallow water to spawn. Look for areas with submerged structure, such as fallen trees, brush piles, or docks. Small jigs tipped with minnows or crappie nibbles are effective baits. A slip bobber rig allows you to present your bait at the desired depth. Fishing near dusk and dawn can be particularly productive. A local tip is to use a fish finder to locate submerged structure that may not be visible from the surface. The crappie in these smaller waters tend to be of decent size, with some reaching over a pound. Be mindful of bag limits and size restrictions, which can vary from lake to lake. Always check the Iowa DNR fishing regulations before you fish.