Crappie

If you're looking for some slab-sized crappie in northwest Iowa, Linn Grove offers some surprisingly good opportunities. The Little Sioux River, which meanders through the area, holds decent crappie populations in its backwaters and slower-moving sections. Anglers also have success in nearby farm ponds (with permission, of course!). Spring is prime time, as the crappie move into shallower water to spawn, often congregating near submerged timber or vegetation. Fall can also be productive as they feed up before winter. A local tip: try fishing the flooded timber along the river after a spring rain – the crappie will move into these areas to feed on insects and other invertebrates. Another good access point is the public access area near the Highway 10 bridge. Local crappie tend to be opportunistic feeders, so jigs tipped with minnows or small plastic tubes are usually effective.