Crappie

Crappie fishing around Verona, Missouri, can be quite productive in the area's numerous ponds and small lakes. Spring, during the pre-spawn and spawn, is the absolute best time to target them. Look for crappie congregating near submerged timber, brush piles, and weed beds in shallow water. Minnows and small jigs are the go-to baits. A simple bobber rig can be very effective. As the water warms up in the summer, crappie will move to deeper water near structure. Try fishing near submerged trees or drop-offs. Fall is another good time to target crappie as they feed up before winter. A local tip: Many of the private ponds around Verona hold good populations of crappie, so it's worth asking for permission to fish if you see promising water. The crappie in this region tend to be a mix of black and white crappie, with sizes ranging from small to occasionally quite large.