Crappie

Durham, North Carolina, is a great location to target crappie, particularly in the spring. Falls Lake is a well-known crappie hotspot, offering plenty of submerged structure and standing timber where these tasty panfish congregate. The best time to fish for crappie here is during the pre-spawn and spawn, typically from March to May, when they move into shallower waters to reproduce. Minnows and small jigs are the go-to baits, fished under a bobber or slow-trolled. A practical tip: focus your efforts around bridge pilings, submerged brush piles, and creek channels. Many anglers have success spider-rigging multiple rods from a boat. Several boat ramps provide easy access to Falls Lake. The crappie population in Falls Lake is generally healthy, but size and creel limits apply, so be sure to check the current regulations before heading out.