Crappie

Crappie fishing around Cherokee can be productive, particularly in the numerous farm ponds and smaller lakes scattered throughout the county. These smaller bodies of water often hold surprisingly good populations of crappie. Spring is the peak season, as crappie move into shallow water to spawn. Look for them around brush piles, submerged timber, and weed beds. Small jigs tipped with minnows or crappie nibbles are deadly. A slip bobber rig is also a great way to present your bait at the right depth. Early morning and late evening are typically the best times to fish. Many of these ponds are on private property, so be sure to obtain permission before fishing. Local bait shops can often provide information on which ponds are open to the public or require permission. The crappie in these smaller waters tend to be a bit smaller on average, but you can still find some slabs if you put in the time.