Crappie

Crappie fishing near Brandsville, Missouri, centers around the numerous small lakes, ponds, and backwaters scattered throughout the area. These quiet, often overlooked spots can hold surprisingly large crappie populations. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to target them, as they move into the shallows to spawn. Look for brush piles, submerged timber, and weed beds in 2-6 feet of water. Small jigs and minnows are the go-to baits. A local tip: many of the smaller private lakes will allow fishing with permission, so it's worth asking around. These can be real honey holes. Also, the backwaters of the larger rivers in the area, like the Eleven Point, can be productive during periods of high water. The crappie in this region tend to be good-sized, with some pushing over two pounds. Be prepared to move around and experiment with different depths and presentations until you find what the fish are keying on.