Crappie

Schenectady offers some decent crappie fishing opportunities within the city limits, primarily in the Mohawk River and its connected waterways. While not a renowned crappie destination, the river's backwaters and slower-moving sections provide suitable habitat. Focus your efforts around submerged structure like fallen trees, docks, and weed beds. Spring, particularly during the pre-spawn period (late April to May), is the most productive time, as crappie move into shallower waters to spawn. Fall can also be good as they fatten up for winter. A local tip: Try fishing near the mouths of tributaries that flow into the Mohawk, as these areas often concentrate crappie. Small jigs tipped with minnows or crappie nibbles are effective baits. Access to the Mohawk River is available through various public boat launches and shoreline access points. The crappie in the Mohawk tend to be smaller than those in larger lakes, but they can still provide a fun and rewarding fishing experience.