Crappie

Crappie fishing around Elizabeth City can be a rewarding experience, especially if you know where to look. The numerous creeks and backwaters off the Pasquotank River and Albemarle Sound are prime crappie habitat. These areas provide the shallow, protected waters and abundant cover that crappie prefer. Spring is the peak season, as crappie move into the shallows to spawn. However, you can also find crappie throughout the year, particularly around submerged structure. A good tactic is to fish around docks, brush piles, and submerged trees. Minnows are a classic crappie bait, but jigs and small crankbaits can also be very effective. Try fishing near the US-17 bridge, where there's plenty of submerged structure. The crappie in this region tend to be good-sized, with some reaching impressive weights. Pay attention to the water clarity, as crappie prefer slightly stained water. Early morning and late evening are often the most productive times to fish.