Crappie

Crappie fishing around Rochester, New York, can be quite rewarding if you know where to look. Smaller lakes and ponds in the surrounding area, as well as backwaters of the Genesee River, are your best bets. Spring is the peak season, as crappie move into shallow, weedy areas to spawn. Look for them near submerged brush, docks, and lily pads. Small jigs and minnows are effective baits. As the water warms in summer, crappie tend to move deeper, often suspending near submerged structure. Fall can also be a good time to target them as they feed up before winter. A local tip: try fishing around the docks and boat launches on Irondequoit Bay – crappie often congregate there. Remember to use light line and a sensitive rod to detect their subtle bites.