Crappie

If you're heading to Fulton, Missouri, with crappie on your mind, you're in for a treat. The area is dotted with smaller lakes and ponds, plus the nearby Missouri River offers some fantastic crappie fishing, especially in its backwaters and tributaries. Look for structure like submerged timber, brush piles, and docks – crappie love to congregate around these areas. Spring is prime time, as the crappie move into the shallows to spawn. Fall can also be very productive as they feed heavily before winter. A local tip: check out the smaller, less-pressured community lakes around Fulton. They often hold surprisingly large crappie that haven't seen as many lures. Also, be aware that river levels can fluctuate, so check conditions before you go. The crappie in this region tend to be good-sized, with many exceeding the 10-inch mark. Fish attractants can be very useful in these waters.