Crappie

Crappie fishing near Derby, Kansas, offers a chance to fill your freezer with some tasty fillets. Focus on the smaller lakes and ponds in the area, as these often hold good populations of crappie. Spring is the peak season, as the crappie move into shallow water to spawn. Look for areas with submerged brush, fallen trees, or docks, as these provide ideal habitat. Small jigs and minnows are the go-to baits. A local trick is to use a bobber to suspend your bait at the desired depth. Fall can also be productive as the crappie school up before winter. Be aware that many of these ponds are on private land, so always obtain permission before fishing. Public access can be found at some of the city parks or by venturing slightly further afield. The crappie in this area tend to be on the smaller side, but they are plentiful, and a limit of tasty crappie makes for a great meal.