Crappie

If you're looking for some slab-sided crappie action, Carthage, Missouri, offers some surprisingly good opportunities. The local ponds and small lakes, like Kellogg Lake, are often overlooked but can hold some real gems. Spring is prime time, as the crappie move into the shallows to spawn. Look for brush piles, submerged timber, and any kind of structure near the banks. A simple jig and bobber setup is deadly, especially tipped with a minnow or crappie nibble. Don't be afraid to try different depths until you find where the fish are holding. A local tip: Kellogg Lake can get weedy in the summer, so fish the edges of the weed lines for crappie seeking shade and ambush points. The crappie in these smaller waters tend to be opportunistic feeders, so a variety of presentations can work, but keep it simple and focus on covering water.