Crappie

If you're looking to fill your cooler with Crappie near Baton Rouge, you've come to the right place. The Atchafalaya Basin and the many oxbow lakes in the area offer fantastic crappie fishing, particularly during the pre-spawn and spawn in early spring (February-April). Look for them around submerged structure like cypress trees, brush piles, and fallen logs. As the water warms, crappie tend to move deeper, so adjust your presentation accordingly. Live minnows are always a reliable choice, but jigs tipped with plastic trailers can also be very effective. A local trick is to use a double-jig rig to increase your chances of attracting a strike. The Diversion Canal is a great place to start, offering accessible bank fishing and boat ramps. Be mindful of the water levels, as they can fluctuate significantly depending on rainfall and river flows.