Crappie

Crappie fishing around Walnut Cove offers a chance to explore some of North Carolina's overlooked gems. Focus your efforts on local reservoirs like Belews Lake or even slower stretches of the Dan River. These areas provide the submerged structure and cover that crappie love. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to target crappie, as they move into shallow water to spawn. Look for them around brush piles, submerged trees, and docks in 5-10 feet of water. A local’s trick is to use small minnows or jigs under a bobber, adjusting the depth until you find where the fish are holding. Another tip: the crappie population in these waters can be cyclical, so check local fishing reports for the most up-to-date information on the bite. Keep in mind that crappie in this region tend to be on the smaller side, but what they lack in size, they make up for in numbers, offering plenty of action.