Crappie

If you're chasing crappie in the Emmet, Nebraska, area, you'll want to focus your efforts on the local ponds and small lakes. These smaller bodies of water warm up faster than larger reservoirs, making them ideal crappie habitat, particularly during the spring spawn. Look for structure like submerged timber, brush piles, and weed edges – crappie love to congregate around these areas. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are prime times. In the spring, target shallow water near spawning beds with jigs or minnows under a bobber. Later in the year, as the water cools, move deeper, focusing on those same structure points. A local tip: many of these ponds are on private land, so always obtain permission before fishing. Also, be prepared for some stained water conditions, so brighter colored jigs or live bait presentations that create vibration can be especially effective.