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How to Catch Crappie in Illinois

July 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

How To Catch Crappie In Illinois

There is certainly no shortage of good Illinois crappie fishing locations, especially in the spring. The state is littered with lakes and rivers where bites are frequent and slabs are quite large. No matter where in the state you live or are traveling, you are within a few miles of great crappie fishing. Beginning in late February and continuing through spring and summer, you'll find the peak of Illinois crappie fishing season.


Start with the Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area, where there are over 250 lakes ranging in size from an acre to about 50 acres. Here, you'll find some average sized crappie of about 8-9 inches in length. The best part of the season in these lakes is generally between March and May, concentrating strongly on shoreline areas covered in grass, beaver lodges, and fallen trees that create cover for the crappie. If you visit the "back lakes" of the area that must be accessed by foot, you could be rewarded with 14-16-inch crappie.


Another viable option for Illinois crappie fishing is Evergreen Lake, a full 886 acres just north of Bloomington in central Illinois. Some avid anglers claim that fishing in this lake regularly yields 10-12-inch crappie and up to 40 or more black crappie per hour, as well as 55 white crappie per hour. At these excellent fishing odds, most fishermen go home with their 25-fish limit for the day with no hassle whatsoever. Try fishing the coves of the lake, with jigs and minnows being the number one baits of choice.


While not producing such high quantities, Illinois crappie fishing at Sangchris Lake does yield some of the largest sunfish in the state, averaging 12-15 inches in length. There is a nursery pond onsite where around 70,000 fish are bred and stocked annually that boosts the population for a good catch. Take advantage of the large slabs in February, March, and April, when crappie are easily found in shallow cover and are prone to staying in shallow environments for spawning. Minnows work well here, as do jigs, but keep in mind that Sangchris enforces a 10-inch minimum size and 10-fish per day limit on your catch.


Illinois crappie fishing is at its best in Carlyle Lake, with its extensive 26,000 acres, in spring. Carlyle maintains a 10-inch minimum for your catch, and you'll find no shortage of keepers, with regular anglers claiming about 80% of the catch being of retainable size. The Allen Branch of the lake is full of stumps and good cover for crappie, making it a choice location for Illinois crappie fishing, though Coles Creek and the West Access area are also popular.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Get more information on Illinois crappie fishing here: http://www.askcrappiefishing.com


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Crappie Fishing – Lake Weiss – Strategies/Tactics/Advice/Tips for Catching Crappie on Lake Weiss

July 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Crappie Fishing - Lake Weiss - Strategies/Tactics/Advice/Tips for Catching Crappie on Lake Weiss

If you live at or around Lake Weiss, then you probably already know that it is one of the best crappie fishing locations in Alabama. If you're not from Alabama but just a fan of crappie fishing, then you have still probably heard of Lake Weiss. Maybe you or someone you know has even been fishing at this lake before. This 30,200 acre impoundment has over 455 miles of shoreline for fishing and it has many acres of very shallow waters as well as deeper river channels, both of which are perfect for crappie fishing.


Lake Weiss has a great reputation in the fishing community, particular for catching crappie. Sometimes called the Crappie Capital of the World, Lake Weiss is located in northeast Alabama in Cherokee County. It's 1 hours from Birmingham and Atlanta, Georgia and it's on the Alabama/Georgia border. This is the prime location in Alabama for crappie fishing and many fishermen feel it is the best place in the world for fishing for crappie. It's no surprise then that some people even travel from great distances just to be able to fish in this lake.


Strategies and Tactics for Fishing on Lake Weiss


So how can you fish like a pro in the popular Lake Weiss? You need to know some insider strategies and tactics for fishing for crappie in this lake if you want to get the best results possible. First, you need to go prepared. Bring your best fishing rods and reels and an assortment of jigs, live baits and colorful baits which crappie tend to enjoy. Make sure you come with more than one type of bait since crappie can often be selective and may not respond to the first thing you try. This gives you freedom to experiment with different things until you find one that the crappie like.


Next, you need to find a good, comfortable spot for you and your boat and then experiment with different depths in the water until you find one that yields great results. Sometimes the crappie are about 10 to 15 feet under the surface of the water, especially if the water is clear and the sun is out. When it gets darker, such as around dusk, they may rise higher to the surface of the water and be catchable between 5 and 10 feet deep. These tactics will help you determine where the crappie are at and what they are responding to best on a particular day when you are out fishing. Remember that this can change from day to day so you will need to try again each time you come out. What worked on one fishing trip may not necessarily work on another, even in the same location.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Get more information on crappie fishing here:


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Catfish Tackle Preparation Be Successful

May 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Catfish Tackle Preparation

Do you enjoy going catfish fishing? Many anglers do. In fact, catfish is one of the most popular species of fish there is. They taste great and they can put up one heck of a battle that will certainly give you a run for your money. However, the one thing that you don't want to do is go catfish fishing unprepared. If you do, you will end up regretting it.

Catfish may be one of the most sought after fish there is but they can also be one of the hardest to catch. If you are not prepared when you go out, you will either not get any bites or you will not be able to reel them in. Catfish will put up one powerful fight and weak equipment will simply not get the job done.
Plus, they can be some really giant sizes that will be hard to pull in. Therefore, before you go catfish fishing you need to be prepared. This way you can show friends and family the giant cat you caught instead of telling the story about how he got away.

Preparing Your Tackle Box

When you are getting things ready to go catfish fishing the tackle box is a very important item. Therefore, you should start by preparing your tackle box. Most likely you have collected quite a bit of tackle throughout the years. You probably have a favorite fishing rod, reel and even lures that you prefer using every time you go out. Now you need to take all of this equipment and organize it.

The first thing that you will need is a good strong tackle box. If you need to go out and buy one then pick something a little bigger than you think you would need. This will give you room for growth and adding to your box later on. The main requirement of a tackle box is durability. It needs to be strong, rust proof and waterproof. However, keep in mind that if water can seep in through the cracks of the box, then it needs to have removable parts. This way you can open it up and let everything dry out to prevent your gear from molding.
Another thing that you must consider is whether or not you will be carrying your tackle box around with you. For instance, if you do a lot of shore fishing, then it needs to be lightweight. If you always go out on the same boat fishing, then it really doesn't matter if the box is heavy. Tackle boxes are designed with compartments so you can separate your lures and hooks according to size and shape. This makes it easy to get to the right tackle you need for the size of catfish you are trying to catch. This is an important factor because you need to choose your tackle according to the size of the cats in the body of water that you are fishing.

If you fish in both saltwater and freshwater, then it is recommended that you prepare two separate tackle boxes. Saltwater catfish fishing requires different types of gear than freshwater fishing does. By having two separate boxes you won't have to waste time fumbling through one box trying to find the items you need. It is simply more convenient and organized having two tackle boxes.

Daniel Eggertsen - About the Author:

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best catfish fishing information possible. Get more information on catfish tackle here: http://www.askcatfishfishing.com/

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Minnesota Crappie Fishing Strategies for All Ages and Anglers

May 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Minnesota Crappie Fishing Strategies For All Ages And Anglers

Crappies are one of the most sought after species of fish in Minnesota. There are a couple of reasons for this. One is because they are always so eager to take the bait and then they put up a nice struggle for their size. This makes fishing for them fun, entertaining and perfect for anglers of all ages and skill levels. The other reason they are so popular is because the sweet-tasting filets of the crappie are simply delicious.


The state record for the black crappie in Minnesota weighed five pounds and the white crappie was a little less than four pounds. These catches were very impressive for this species of fish because crappies normally don't grow much larger than two or three pounds. A little less than two pounds is the average weight for a crappie.


It is easier to catch a crappie than it is many of the other species of fish. However, you will find that there are a few strategies available that can help you catch even more crappie when fishing in Minnesota.


Strategies for Finding Minnesota Hot Spots


One of the most important things to remember is that any "hot spot" can and will change with time. Therefore, if you have a favorite spot where you have always had lots of luck reeling in the crappie, don't be surprised if one day it stops being productive. This is simply the natural order of things. When the crappies are no longer biting it's time to move on to a new spot. There are several sources available that will help you locate new crappie fishing spots in Minnesota.


To learn where the hot spots are located you can pick up a survey of different lakes and take a look at the population level of the crappie in each lake and their size. Crappies live an average of ten to fourteen years. Therefore, when you find a body of water with large crappie in it, this is where you need to be going fishing now. Within a year or so all the larger crappie will have been caught or they will have died out. Bodies of water where the population of crappies is small will be a great place to visit in a couple years when they have time to mature.


As a general rule lakes and rivers that have a restricted limit on the size and number of crappie you can catch per visit will have many hot spots. This is because the limit gives the crappie time to grow and prevents anglers from wiping them out in one season.


Here are some of the lakes located in Minnesota where you will find many great crappie hot spots.


Lake of the Woods

Leech Lake

Lake Traverse

Lake Superior

Lake Minnetonka

Lake Waconia

Upper and Lower Red Lake

Lake Mille Lacs

Kabetogama Lake

Rainy Lake


You can also find crappie in many of the smaller lakes and rivers located all through Minnesota.


Learn All You Can About the Crappie

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Get more information on Minnesota Crappie Fishing here: http://www.askcrappiefishing.com/


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Practical Suggestions for Ice Fishing Walleye Jigs

May 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Practical Suggestions for Ice Fishing Walleye Jigs

Have you ever been ice fishing? If not, then you should give it a try. You will find that it can be an amazing experience that you will never forget. This is why it is becoming one of the most popular forms of fishing today and this trend is expected to continue to grow. Ice fishing can be very exciting and a great way to catch a lot of walleyes.


First of all, you can expect the walleyes to be found in the warmest part of the water they can find, which is usually near the structures under the water. Many times you may find yourself suspended over water up to fifty feet deep searching for walleyes. Using a fish finder can help you locate areas where the fish are gathered but your fishing skills are what will allow you to actually catch them.


You need to search for the walleyes around the main channels of the lake and usually they can be found between twenty and thirty feet deep. Sometimes they will move around searching for food near the ledges and inlets. The best feeding time is late evening or early morning and they really go for the minnows during this time. Keep in mind that they may not feed in the same area for long periods of time so you need to get as much ice fishing in as you can when you find a good spot.


Best Jigs for Catching Walleye When Ice Fishing


Using jigs are the best and most popular way to catch walleye when ice fishing. Using light line is recommended and you can tie directly to the line or use a snap swivel. However, tying to the line is the most popular choice for most anglers. You just have to look for wear and tear on the line where the knot is located after catching a couple fish and retie it whenever it becomes necessary.


The most popular jig weights are 1/32 to 1/8 ounces. You do need to consider the color of the jig as well as the weight. Normally the best colors to use are white, yellow, olive, chartreuse and black. The jigs that are designed to produce action from marabou or plastic tails are great for ice fishing. These should be about medium length to attract the attention of the walleye.


If you are not familiar with jigging here is a basic idea of how it works. Start out by allowing the jig to go all the way to the bottom. Then you will reel it up between six to twelve inches. Next, you need to let it sit still for a bit. Every so often you need to bounce the rod tip occasionally. You can also lift the tip of the rod about a foot every few seconds and allow the jig to slowly filter back down. The only problem with this method is that it will be hard to feel a bite if you get one so you need to pay close attention.


The average equipment that you should carry with you include slip bobber rig, split shot, an action rod and an open faced spinning reel. Bring extra line just in case. Some newer lures that seem to work very well are shrimp, house fly, jigging wooley and the jigging fly. Cleaning your reel in advance and replacing the regular oil with thin oil will make the fishing reel work better in the cold.


Don't forget to have a method for drilling the holes. Having a power ice auger is highly recommended. After all, the more holes you drill the more success you can have. This is because after fishing a hole for a little while if you are not having any success, then you need to move on to another one. If you want to save yourself even more time and effort, then you can always use fish graphs to help you locate where the fish are much faster.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best walleye fishing information possible. Get more information on walleye ice fishing jigs here: http://www.askwalleyefishing.com/


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Crappie Fishing in Georgia – How to Catch Crappie in Georgia – Best Spots, Tactics, Tips

May 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Crappie Fishing in Georgia - How to Catch Crappie in Georgia - Best Spots, Tactics, Tips

Crappie fishing is one of the most popular types of fishing around and Georgia is a great place to enjoy it at. With the many lakes, rivers, streams and other freshwater sources in Georgia, it leaves for many opportunities for crappie fishing. Yet crappie fishing in Georgia is different from anywhere else in the country. The climate is different, the waters are different and you need to know how to fish properly in these waters to get the most benefit from it.


Georgia has some of the most beautiful fishing waters of the south and you can enjoy them for yourself whether you are from Georgia or just passing through. If you're planning a vacation, there are even great Georgia crappie fishing charters you can try to get part in. These fishing charters are also great for people who are new to fishing or new to this particular type of fishing. It is especially helpful if you are not from Georgia or not from that particular area of Georgia because they can show you where to go and help you learn the proper techniques for fishing in this area.


How to Catch Crappie in Georgia


So now that you know more about crappie fishing in general, I bet you're ready to learn how to catch crappie in Georgia. There are many different crappie fishing techniques out there as well as many different places in the country that you can fish for crappie so when it comes to fishing in Georgia, here are some important tips to help you.


Most crappie prefer cooler temperatures so in a warm or muggy Georgia climate, fishing at night is often a good idea. When fishing for crappie in Georgia, you will find that often the waters are murkier. This is because there is a lot of swamplands in Georgia and in the freshwater areas where crappie enjoy. Because of this, you may want to use brightly colored bait, scented lures and similar devices to make it easier for the crappie to see your bait and take a bite.


Best Spots for Fishing Crappie in Georgia


Now that you know how to catch crappie in Georgia, you need to know where to go to fish. Crappie are some of the most common fish species in Georgia but the downside is that their numbers can be low at times and quite high at other peak times.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Get more information on crappie fishing here:


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Winter fishing on Lake Lanier, Georgia for some good eating Crappie!
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