Crappie

If crappie are on your mind, the backwaters and bayous around Gramercy, Louisiana, offer some productive fishing opportunities. These areas, connected to the Mississippi River, provide the ideal habitat that crappie love: plenty of submerged structure and relatively still water. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to target crappie as they move into the shallows to spawn. Use jigs or minnows under a bobber, focusing on areas around fallen trees, brush piles, and cypress trees. A local's secret is to check the water clarity; if it's murky, use brighter colored jigs. Many public boat launches provide access to these crappie hotspots, but be prepared for shallow water in some areas, especially during the late summer and fall. The crappie in this region are known to school tightly, so once you find one, you're likely to find more.