Crappie

Crappie fishing near Sylva, NC, means focusing on the impoundments and slower sections of the Tuckasegee River. While crappie fishing isn't the area's primary draw, they can be found in good numbers. Lake Glenville, in particular, holds a decent population. Spring is the prime time, as crappie move shallow to spawn around submerged brush and docks. Use small jigs or minnows suspended under a float. Look for areas with submerged structure or brush piles. Summer can also be productive by fishing deeper water near submerged trees or around bridge pilings. A local tip is to use a fish finder to locate schools of crappie before dropping your line. Another tip is to check water clarity. If the water is murky, use brighter jigs or minnows. Don't overlook the smaller ponds and lakes in the area; some may hold surprisingly good crappie populations with less fishing pressure.