25 Finest Crappie Lakes in U.S. For Fishing Spots

Many anglers have requested us the place the highest greatest crappie lakes within the U.S. and fishing rivers are, so it gathered information from a committee of specialists to create a bucket choice of the highest greatest crappie lakes within the U.S. and fishing rivers. It sufficiently contributed to the guidelines however needed it to be a confirmed and precise guidelines, so it requested a number of of the numerous glorious crappie anglers within the nation the place the very best fishing is.

These fishermen have fished, directed, and contended for crappie all through the nation and have put collectively a well-researched crappie fishing guidelines for you.

Respectable numbers, nice dimension, a steadiness of each, magnificence, experience, accessibility, and prospects to fish various techniques have been the issues for the rating. All of us wish to seize large fish and have a great time visiting a crappie fishing space. In consequence, this guidelines ought to give you numerous choices for a few of America’s greatest crappie lakes in U.S. fishing.

There are many others that have been glorious mentions, in addition to some secret treasures that weren’t included on this guidelines, so keep tuned for a following essay on the lesser-known crappie hotspots. However, with out another sound and fury, listed here are the nation’s prime 25 greatest crappie lakes in U.S. fishing spots:

ALABAMA’S NEELY HENRY

From Weiss dam to the upriver dam, Neely Henry is round 11,000 acres within the Coosa River Chain runs by means of northeast Alabama. Longline trolling, fishing scrub piles, and capturing docks are all choices for catching fish.

Ronnie Capps noticed, “Neely Henry holds terrific measure and reasonable numbers.” “Fish over 3 kilos are unusual, however as a result of tremendous hybrid crappie resides on this Coosa River lake, the prospect of catching a record-breaking fish is real.” The water situations at Neely Henry are moderately constant for the entire 12 months.”

TENNESSEE & ALABAMA’S PICKWICK LAKE

Pickwick, the foremost of quite a few TVA to make the highest greatest crappie lakes within the U.S., gives crappie fishers with numerous choices, together with pure stream stumps, scrub piles, piers, cliffs, and grasses. Mixed with an extremely fertile system that provides a great deal of baitfish, it then replenishes the very best crappie lakes in U.S. numbers. These options make this a unbelievable however typically neglected TVA chain greatest crappie lakes in U.S. Trolling, cork fishing, standing jigging, capturing docks, and jigs are forged to bush and stumps within the fall and spring are well-liked choices on this lake.

OKLAHOMA’S WISTER LAKE

This little lake in Jap Oklahoma has a floor space of seven,300 acres gives the very best crappie lakes in U.S. fishing for dimension and quantity. The Poteau River’s shallow uncultivated brush, upright timber, cedar drifts, factors, and in-depth channels present anglers with numerous choices all year long. It’s a favourite of all of the board of specialists because it has a great inhabitants of white crappie and is of a great dimension.

NEOSHO RIVER, OKLAHOMA / FT. GIBSON

The Grand River Chain in Oklahoma ends with this nearly 20,000-acre impoundment. The lake has good white and black greatest crappie lakes in U.S. populations, with a slight choice for the black greatest crappie inhabitants. And crappie fishing on the Neosho River is a once-in-a-lifetime alternative.

“The Neosho River is just one-of-a-kind,” remarked Matt Rogers. “With minimal tools, an angler can focus laydowns, move breaks, calm water whirlpools, and scrub piles within the river, which is loaded with black and white crappie.” The present continually dictates the fishing. Verify the USGS water documentation and charts earlier than fishing the Neosho River or any completely different river across the nation. When looking out, use key phrases such because the identify of the higher lake and its location.”

The standard crappie at Neosho River and Ft. Gibson weighs 1 1/2 lbs. It has many good-sized crappies suspended in 12 to 30 ft of water. In consequence, an angler could stretch out and uncover massive, hungry crappie all through the lakes and rivers.

ALABAMA’S LAKE GUNTERSVILLE

Guntersville, one other TVA greatest crappie lake within the U.S., has a phenomenal steadiness of numbers and measures for the very best crappie lakes fishing website. Three-pounders are widespread on this lake, which additionally has a number of big twos. Guntersville is among the many TVA chain’s extra regular lakes. Many elements of the lake with grass, wooden, rock, ports, and bridges have wholesome populations. It’s a terrific lake for staking out your crappie hotspot.

MISSISSIPPI, ARKABUTLA

Arkabutla, a lake with a floor space of over 11,000 acres in northwest Mississippi, is considerably shallow considerably declines throughout the winter. Stake beds abound, like as massive crappie with reasonable numbers. Nonetheless, the 3-pound college of fish causes it a preferred crappie fishing spot. Trolling, jigging, spider-rigged, and pulling crankbaits minnows can all be good bets on this tiny, changeable, but trophy-worthy lake from season to season.

MISSISSIPPI ROSS BARNETT RESERVOIR

Shut Jackson, Miss., Ross Barnett has earned the nickname “The Rez” and has advanced into a preferred pit level for crappie tournaments. Primarily as a result of it has 3-lbs crappie, a lot of fish, and a wide range of areas and varieties of canopy, permitting guys to unfold out.

Tony Sheppard said, “It’s my fave lake, which I get to see recurrently.” “It’s my native favourite as a result of I stay on Kentucky Lake, however The Rez delivers all of it.” Crappie can catch utilizing any type, and there are plenty of big ones.”

MISSISSIPPI ENID LAKE

Enid, in north-central Mississippi, is thought for its massive crappie, but the standard crappie weighs nearly a pound. Spider rigging, single-pole standing jigging, looking out, and dragging cranks are some fishing methods used on the lake. Enid boasts explicit mythology about crappie fishing as a result of it was right here that the 5-pound, 3 oz file holder white crappie, was captured in 1957. It’s generally ignored as a result of there are quite a few glorious crappie fishing spots in Mississippi.

SOUTH CAROLINA’S SANTEE COOPER LAKES

The lakes close to Charleston and Columbia, in east-central South Carolina, are Marion and Moultrie, providing one other distinct and diversified crappie fishing expertise. These lakes embody a wide range of surroundings, together with wetlands with cypress timber and grass the place crappie prefer to spawn in extraordinarily shallow water.

Hundreds of crappies weighing one to 2 kilos can see tucked within the cypress knees and Spanish moss canopies masking the fertile darkish tannic water. It is among the extra picturesque crappie areas on an enthusiastic crappie angler’s bucket listing.

KENTUCKY & TENNESSEE’S LAKE BARKLEY

Barkley Lake, TVA fisheries inside Tennessee, and western Kentucky are one out of two that made a listing typically neglected for bass fishing. Nonetheless, many anglers we spoke with most well-liked Barkley. As a result of obvious lack of depth, they’ll discover good monochrome crappie in Kentucky and infrequently higher watercolor they discover on the Cumberland River impoundment.

Anglers have loads of selections for vertical jigging, casting, slip corking, spider rigging, trolling, pulling, and even hitting docks due to brush piles, stake beds, pure river stumps, chunk rock, and deep creek channels. Barkley has plenty of covers, probably considerably additional than Kentucky; that is among the many causes many anglers choose it. The numbers are growing, and the lake must be boiling for the following couple of years.

“The amount of fish in Lake Barkley seems to be decrease than in Kentucky Lake, although the reasonable fee of fish seems to be larger,” said Tony Sheppard. “Due to the lesser fishing rigidity, Barkley Lake is all the time extra floor than Kentucky Lake. Many of the second, the watercolor will probably be higher over there. Through the summer season, it fishes higher like a river, with indents and basins nonetheless enjoying a job.”

TEXAS TOLEDO BEND

Toledo Bend was once one of many prime crappie fishing spots within the countryside. Whereas it’s nonetheless glorious, locals will inform you that it’s not as unbelievable as earlier. However it’s densely forested, has a wholesome fish inhabitants, and anglers within the Toledo Bend space have dumped a whole lot of bush piles into the lake. Toledo Bend remains to be a prime location for crappie, with many locations and methods to seize fish enveloping grass, standing timber, contact pile, and out there water.

DARDANELLE LAKE, ARKANSAS

It’s one other a kind of “quiet” lakes. 4 of the 9 fishers included it on their lists. It gives respectable fish, however different surrounding crappie lakes overshadow it.

Kevin Rogers commented, “Dardanelle is like one factor in my sense—FAT.” “I imply, this lake is stuffed with fats crappie. They’re so massive that you just’re nearly terrified to deal with them since they look like on the verge of exploding. This lake is brimming with above-average crappie from Piney to Shoal Bay and the Illinois Bayou.”

It is among the most well-known crappie fishing lakes. It’s not solely lovely, nevertheless it additionally has plenty of crappie in it. It’s a must-see spot for crappie fishing in Tennessee, with stump fields, flora, lily pads, massive ol’ cypress timber, and monster crappie. If shallow cowl crappie fishing is your factor, you’ll have plenty of alternatives at Reelfoot.

“Whereas fish over 3 kilos are unusual, this lake has unbelievable dimension and amount more often than not,” Ronnie Capps remarked. “It’s a crappie fishing nirvana for shallow water.”

CALIFORNIA’S CLEAR LAKE

Clear Lake is a well-liked spot to catch fish on the western coast, nevertheless it’s likewise one of many few locations the place you possibly can see some unbelievable panfish. Finest crappie lakes within the U.S., and fishing is terrific for amount and high quality. Clear Lake has a big black crappie inhabitants, and the state register black crappie was simply damaged in February 2021, so it has world file potential.

Crappie will be caught with a slip bobber, out there water wandering fish, and exterior surfaces like brush piles, weed traces, and docks. Clear Lake may very well be the place to go if you happen to’re in search of 4-lbs crappie.

KENTUCKY LAKE, TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY

Kentucky Lake, which is merely past the very best 10, is just like Clear Lake in that it’s distinctive fisheries that may help excellent bass and crappie fishing on the identical time. In the meantime, the lake has skilled a downturn in present years. It’s rebounding rapidly and can undoubtedly be the very best ten fishery inside the subsequent two years.

On Kentucky Lake, you possibly can stretch out or deal with one massive watercourse and spend your entire time there. As a result of it’s so broad and diversified, it’s nearly like having a bunch of little crappie lakes mixed into one huge fishery. Locals have additionally put forth a lot effort to enhance the fishery’s cowl.

“Kentucky Lake has terrific glorious fish, and a lot of them on Kentucky appear all the time to be higher,” Tony Sheppard remarked. “Water readability is bettering, and nearly all of fish will relocate to the river on main lake stumps all through the summer season months.” South Kentucky is somewhat higher like Barkley, although the additional south you go, the extra it resembles a river. Construction fishing on each our bodies of water is normally your greatest wager.”

“Kentucky has plenty of fish with a pleasant total dimension,” Capps added. “Can discover each gentle and darkish crappie there.”

MISSISSIPPI’S LAKE WASHINGTON

As a result of there are plenty of glorious trophy greatest crappie lakes, all of them seem to move and ebb. One 12 months, the lake will get sizzling, and the following 12 months, one other is sizzling. However, Washington is all the time fixed. It has a great variety of crappie, however they’re all 3-pounders, which locations it within the greatest ten spots on lists of very nicely crappie anglers.

It has secure water situations, with cypress timber ample in swamps and sloughs, knees, stick-ups, historic piers, and different fishing possibilities. Crappie can hover larger inside surrounding water when foraging on pot-gut minnows. Don’t miss the trek to Washington if you happen to’re within the west Mississippi Delta throughout spring.

MISSISSIPPI’S SARDIS LAKE

“No prime locations listing can be full with out including Sardis,” Jerry Hancock said.

“Sardis has plenty of dimension and plenty of numbers,” Ronnie Capps famous.

“For individuals who simply wish to catch one thing, Each Sardis and Eufaula have a considerable amount of fish,” Robert Carlisle remarked.

Sardis is a lake with a floor space of 98,000 acres. On the Tallahatchie River positioned exterior Oxford, Mississippi. Regardless that 3-lbs crappie just isn’t as ample as in a number of of the very best crappie lakes close to Sardis, the lake is a superb place to catch good-sized crappie in massive numbers. Sardis is a superb alternative if you happen to prefer to catch fish.

Watch out that uncommon inches of rainfall may cause the lake to rise many ft, making it comparatively unstable throughout spring. Although once you get it proper, single rod jigging, tight-line looking out, unrestricted water stalking, hitting docks, launching to brush and forest, and stay decoy fishing will be plenty of enjoyable.

ARKANSAS’ MILLWOOD LAKE

“Millwood has extra fish than another America’s lake,” Todd Huckabee remarked. “That’s as a result of the lake as an entire is unbelievable.” There isn’t only one spot, after which, you possibly can nearly journey in every single place on the lake and discover excellent crappie fishing. Whether or not you’re over the grass, out on the stream, or the lakes, it’s all swampy and delightful. It’s additionally among the many few lakes in Arkansas the place you possibly can catch 3-pounder greatest crappie lakes day by day.”

Millwood is a small city north of Texarkana. Crappie cowl abounds, with cypress timber, button willows, standing timber, brush piles, laydowns,  deep holes, creek channels, humps, and plenty of different structural options, discovering shallow and deep greatest crappie lake equally simple and rewarding.

Kevin Rogers famous, “This lake isn’t as well-known as different distinguished crappie lakes; nonetheless, it does exist big crappie as satisfactorily.” “Millwood has all of it for crappie anglers, from extra clear water within the oxbows over the river to massive flats on the foremost channel. Huge feminine chunks will instantly spawn on the hardwood all through the foremost lake. It doesn’t get the identical quantity of event consideration as another lakes, although it’s unquestionably a terrific crappie vacation spot! My dad and I have been the winners of a crappie competitors there in 2008, and it’s remained. Since then, it’s turn into one in every of my fave lakes.”

OKLAHOMA’S EUFAULA LAKE

“Within the 24 years of directing right here, Eufaula Lake has been a numbers lake,” Todd Huckabee remarked. “It’s an ideal place to study to fish since there are quite a few entry factors and ramps than each lake I’ve fished. And there may be in every single place you look; there are crappie the scale of an eater.”

Mr. Crappie, Wally Marshall, remarked, “Eufaula Lake has a protracted historical past of manufacturing nice portions of the very best crappie lakes in U.S. for the earlier 30 years.” “The crappie restrict is a mind-boggling 37 per particular person.” This lake appeals to me since densely forested slang has nice Bodark timber for advanced Osage Orange timber. It’s unbelievable for catching crappie all 12 months lengthy.

“I primarily goal the Eufaula tributaries, using methods equivalent to vertical fishing and pitching to stumps and upright timber shortly in creek basins and bays.” As a result of Lake Eufaula is usually discolored, you possibly can nearly stroll proper as much as the crappie. I take pleasure in working a 10-foot crappie pole after I goal for this lake all 12 months. The placement to go is Lake Eufaula if you happen to’re in search of numbers. Oh, and if you happen to choose Italian meals, don’t miss out on Krebs. “It’s the Bomb,” says the narrator.

Kevin Rogers mentioned, “Can discover crappie from one level of Eufaula Lake to a different.” “Whereas it will not be an ‘a once-in-a-lifetime crappie lake,’ it’s unquestionably a ”load the freezer lake with ice.”” The abundance of crappie at this Oklahoma treasure is unbelievable!”

MISSOURI’S TRUMAN LAKE

Kevin Rogers commented, “Truman Lake is the place I name dwelling, and it’s my greatest 10 due to the abundance of crappie.” I’ve by no means seen anyplace else within the space that comes close to the variety of crappies which stay there in my thirty years of crappie fishing.” Truman is the nation’s most unique summertime lake since they assault when it’s sizzling— the higher if it’s hotter!”

Robert Carlisle famous, “Truman is among the many biggest traditional Crappie catching on lakes with tall timber.”

Jerry Hancock said, “Persistently identified for glorious with single-pole angling, and this can be a must-visit lake.” “Lately, Truman has come turning out some excellent high quality!”

“It’s unbelievable since you will have an opportunity to catch fish which are over Matt Rogers said, “2-pounds further amount.” “You don’t want high-tech tools to fish the lake because it’s filled with standing wooden.” The lake takes a wide range of approaches to catching black or white crappie. The lake has 4 arms, two of that are the arms of the principle river. My favourite river is the Osage. Its dimension and abundance will present a wonderful expertise for finding and chasing crappie within the woods.”

TEXAS’ LAKE OF THE PINES

“I spend extra time on this lake than I do on my dwelling lake, though it’s solely 8 hours away,” Kevin Rogers defined. “I’d hold giving it a greater score, nevertheless it isn’t as promising throughout spring as a Grenada or Lake Fork, for instance.” It’s mentioned it’s on the peak of the guidelines since this lake shines from October to January!

“Through the months when a lot of the nation is iced up, Lake O’ the Pines persistently produces massive crappie. This lake is teeming with white and black species of worldwide renown, they usually prefer to congregate within the precise areas. That alone drives for an ideal slab swinging day!”

Jerry Hancock described it as “a number of of the winter seasons areas for a lot of crappie anglers.” “When you consider massive crappie, you must consider The Pines!”

FLORIDA’S S.T. JOHN’S RIVER

The St. John’s River, one other beautiful bucket-list vacation spot for crappie, particularly black crappie, gives uncommon fishing for large black crappie in massive numbers. These are a number of the most lovely crappies you’ll ever see in that tainted water.

“These Florida fisheries need to be on the prime of your listing if you happen to’re after massive black crappie and wonderful environment,” Jerry Hancock remarked.

“Man, I like this fishing,” Wally Marshall exclaimed. “It has all the pieces, however I’ve a special perspective on this river than the bulk.”

“I’ve all the time heard crappie fishing was horrible till the climate grew to become heated in the summertime. So, I went on as an instance that crappie will strike a 2-inch Shad pole and be caught casting in the summertime. Certain sufficient, the water temperature was 89 levels, and the air temperature was 102 levels. I used to be catching crappie on each forged, and since it was so sizzling, nobody was there to see this unbelievable day on the St. John’s River.

“From February by means of June, I consider St.Johns is a no brainer on the subject of capturing massive slab black crappie. Don’t overlook the massive shell crackers, too. There are some unbelievable areas to eat and keep. I’d transfer to the St. Johns River if I didn’t need to stay in Texas. It’s a unbelievable crappie fishing spot. Troll, shoot docks, vertical jig, and forged are all choices. Fishing is plenty of enjoyable!”

LOUISIANA’S LAKE DARBONNE

This was the popular crappie spot for a number of of our panelists. Whereas most informal anglers are unlikely to go to. It’s turn into one of the crucial well-liked event stops. As a result of it’s a stunning fishery the place anglers can get misplaced. And away from the crowds whereas catching crappie in a wide range of methods. In consequence, you possibly can go crappie fishing the way you need.

“For good purpose, it’s one of the crucial well-liked spots on the crappie event circuit,” Jerry Hancock mentioned. “It dependably produces huge crappie stringers.”

Ronnie Capps noticed, “It is a constant fishery that delivers unbelievable fisherman dimension and really nice numbers.” “Whereas an enormous crappie over 3 kilos is rare, it often produces substantial limits.”

Kevin Rogers remarked, “Lake D’Arbonne is loaded of crappie, they usually’re all around the lake.” “It’s additionally an ideal cool place to go to as a result of the persons are so good and the delicacies is so scrumptious!” On this lake, I’ve seen crappie contests gained on each crappie bait and approach beneath the solar. “You’ll be able to accomplish all the pieces proper right here.”

Matt Rogers remarked, “What a beautiful and various vacation spot Lake D’Arbonne is.” “A fisherman can go to this lake and make use of any approach he desires. Open flats will be trolled, brush piles and stumps will be jigged, cypress timber can be utilized to catch spawning fish. And open water suspended fish will be forged using forward-looking sonars.

“Not like another our bodies of water, the lake just isn’t a big physique of water that may overwhelm a visiting angler. No matter you wish to identify them: papermouths, white perch, sac-a-lait, or crappie. There are a thousand for each colour of jig Ok & M Deal with Store has in inventory at Lake D’Arbonne. For me, it’s a top-three lake due to the lodgings and fast entry to the water.”

TEXAS, LAKE FORK

“For a few years, Lake Fork has produced limits of crappie,” said Wally Marshall. “Again within the Eighties, I used to be the primary crappie information on Lake Fork. Lake Fork was teeming with black crappie within the early years. Fishing the bridge pilings was worthwhile. And the black crappie swarmed beneath the shadow of the bridges, making day by day limits a breeze.

“Now that the tide has shifted on Lake Fork. It’s teeming with big white crappie, with some good black crappie thrown in for good measure. White crappie prefers to cling to uncovered wooden, submerged wooden, and brush heaps. The grass traces, brush piles, and bridges are well-liked hangout spots for black crappie. Lake Fork has all of it, and you’ll catch crappie utilizing about any technique you possibly can consider. It’s easy to see why Lake Fork is on the prime of my listing. Whether or not you like vertical jigging timber, casting to cowl, capturing docks, or lazy trolling.”

“There’s a purpose Lake Fork is on the prime of my listing,” Kevin Rogers defined. “For capturing gigantic crappie. There isn’t any different lake prefer it.” They slam jigs greater than another crappie within the nation. My concept about Lake Fork crappie is that they spend their whole lives hiding, operating, and swimming. Away from these large 10-pound Texas largemouth bass. In consequence, they’re harsh and merciless! It’s arms down my favourite lake from February to Could, and it’s nonetheless lovely the remainder of the 12 months!”

MISS. GRENADA LAKE

It’s tough to argue that Grenada isn’t the best probability proper now for catching. It’s not simply your greatest crappie but in addition your most vital restrict of crappie. Following the March 2021 Crappie Masters contest. Throughout that one event, 46 groups caught crappie weighing greater than 3 kilos. With a number of teams having 5-10 fish at greater than 3 kilos.

The profitable weight was 42.84 kilos for 14 crappies, with a mean of three.06 kilos per fish. The stress on this fishery is immense. And but it continues to provide monster crappie and set information 12 months after 12 months.

“I do know it’s a broad assertion, however Grenada is probably the nicest lake I’ve ever visited. When it comes to each fish amount and dimension,” Robert Carlisle said.

“It’s loopy that you would be able to’t see your jig in an inch of water on this physique of water,” Matt Rogers mentioned. “But Grenada gives an opportunity at a once-in-a-lifetime catch. Grenada’s fish recurrently exceed 3 kilos, and there are many them. On Grenada, as on many different lakes. No matter approach you select to make the most of is a risk relying on the time of 12 months.

“What makes Grenada distinctive is the prospect of catching a 3-pound fish. The abundance of shad populations and the truth that it’s a one-of-a-kind lake. It permits the fish to develop so huge. The fish transfer round rather a lot, and the present excessive water ranges have saved them secure. And away from angling stress, permitting them to develop. It’s a must-visit vacation spot!

“The highest crappie trophy vacation spot in america,” in keeping with Jerry Hancock. “Grenada must be on the prime of your listing if you happen to’re in search of your first 3-pound crappie.”