OPENING CAST MARCH 2026
Spring is almost here, and it is time for a crappie “Game On.” Air and water temperatures are on the rise, and the crappie sense the time is near for spawning!
Here in the South, it comes a little earlier. But nature not only gives us humans signals of a rebeginning, but crappie also feel it in the water relating to longer days of sunlight and warmer temperatures. Migration from their winter haunts begins as surface temperatures rise into the 50s.
CrappieNOW’s Top 10 Crappie Lakes for 2026
Grenada Lake is “Home of the Three-Pound Crappie”. Terry Stewart says several techniques work good on the lake, but forward-facing sonar is the best way to find and catch the big slabs. CrappieNOW’s Top 10 Crappie Lakes for 2026 Story and photos by Tim Huffman A best lake list is determined by the fishermen […]
Bobby Garland Crappie Baits: Winning with Plastics Suited for Any Application
With its segmented body and slim profile that includes a scent channel in the belly, the Itty Bit Swim’R Lights Out lived up to its name when paired with an ultralight-action rod like Leland Lure’s TCB rod by B’n’M Fishing. Photo by Madalyn Roberts Bobby Garland Crappie Baits: Winning with Plastics Suited for Any […]
Spring in the Ouachitas: DeGray and Greeson on Fire Story
A late-winter fishing trip on Arkansas’ DeGray Lake often produces big stringers of good-eating crappie for anglers like Keith Sutton and Alex Hinson. Spring in the Ouachitas: DeGray and Greeson on Fire Story and photos By Keith Sutton Late February and early March in the Ouachita Mountains can fool you. The air may still […]
New Vermont Panfish Regulations Aim to Protect Crappie Fishing
A full day on the ice: crappie stacked up like this highlight both the popularity of panfishing and the importance of regulations designed to protect these prized fish for the future. New Vermont Panfish Regulations Aim to Protect Crappie Fishing By Keith Sutton Crappie anglers heading to Vermont waters, and those who follow […]
When a Good Day on the Water Goes Too Far
When a Good Day on the Water Goes Too Far Source: Texas Game Wardens, Facebook post, January 6, 2026 Crappie fishing is about enjoying time on the water, honing skills and bringing home a legal, sustainable catch. But as a recent enforcement case from East Texas shows, even a successful day can turn into […]
Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Keeping Hypothermia at Bay
Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Keeping Hypothermia at Bay Story and photo by Madalyn Roberts It’s always prudent to take extra precautions when fishing in cold temperatures—all the time— but most especially when kayak fishing where chances of capsizing are much greater than when fishing from a boat. If you are someone who kayak fishes regularly […]
Product Buzz, by Scott Mackenthun
Berkley Powerbait Minnotator Tie on, cast out, catch fish. Simple as that. The Berkley Powerbait Minnotator comes prerigged on a jighead with sticky-sharp Berkley Fusion 19 hooks. The 2- and 2.5-inch versions are great crappie catchers. These baits feature incredible realism with baitfish designs printed right on the plastic bodies. The club tail helps the [...]
CN How To March 2026 Crappie Dan’s Playbook, Match the Hatch in Early Spring
When it comes to matching the hatch for spring crappie fishing, you're basically imitating whatever forage crappie are feeding on during the spawn and pre-spawn. In spring, their diet shifts with water temps, clarity, and spawning activity.