Crappie

Mayview, Missouri, offers some excellent crappie fishing in its many smaller lakes and ponds. These waters provide ideal habitat for crappie, with plenty of submerged structure and vegetation. Spring is the best time to target them, specifically during the pre-spawn and spawn (late March through early May), when they move into shallower waters. Look for brush piles, fallen trees, or docks – these are crappie magnets. A simple jig and bobber rig is often all you need, but minnows can also be very effective. A practical tip: many of the smaller lakes are best accessed by boat, but some have limited ramp facilities, so be prepared to launch from the bank if necessary. The crappie in this region tend to run a decent size, so using slightly heavier line than usual is a good idea, especially around cover.