Crappie

If you're looking for slab crappie in Northwest Kansas, Almena offers some under-the-radar opportunities. The key here is Norton Reservoir (also known as Keith Sebelius Lake), a large impoundment just a few miles from town. Crappie fishing is best in the spring during the pre-spawn and spawn, when they move into the shallows around flooded timber and brush piles. Fall can also be productive as the water cools and crappie school up again. A local tip: focus your efforts on the upper end of the reservoir where the Prairie Dog Creek feeds in – the slightly stained water often holds good numbers of fish. Also, pay attention to depth; crappie will suspend at different levels depending on the water temperature and sunlight penetration. Small jigs and minnows are the go-to baits. The crappie in Norton Reservoir tend to be good-sized, so be prepared for some hefty catches!