Crappie

If crappie are on your mind near Belle Plaine, focus on the smaller lakes and ponds in the surrounding area. These often hold good populations of crappie, particularly around submerged structure. Look for crappie near brush piles, fallen trees, and docks. Spring, during the pre-spawn and spawn, is the absolute best time to target them, as they move into shallow water. Small jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms are highly effective. A local's secret: try fishing near the Highway 30 bridge where it crosses the Iowa River. While the river itself may not be ideal crappie habitat, the backwater areas and eddies near the bridge can hold surprising numbers of fish. Remember to bring a long pole for reaching those hard-to-access spots. The crappie in this area tend to be on the smaller side, averaging 8-10 inches, but what they lack in size, they make up for in numbers during the spring spawn.