Crappie

If you're looking for some quality crappie fishing in southwestern Virginia, Bluefield offers a few good options. While there aren't any massive lakes nearby, smaller impoundments and private ponds in the surrounding areas can hold some surprisingly nice crappie. Spring is prime time, as the crappie move into the shallows to spawn. Focus on areas with submerged timber, brush piles, or weed beds. A simple minnow under a bobber is tough to beat this time of year. For public access, check out local wildlife management area ponds – though be sure to check regulations regarding permitted access. Local tackle shops are your best bet for getting up-to-date information on water conditions and access. The crappie here aren’t giants, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers. Many anglers find success using small jigs tipped with plastic trailers, especially when the bite is finicky. Remember to practice catch and release to help maintain the population for future anglers.