Crappie Fishing Picking Up

From Broken Bow to Canton to Oologah, Oklahoma is certainly home to a wide diversity of fine fishing lakes. As different as they may be, many of them currently have one thing in common - crappie fishing is good in shallow water.

The weekly fishing report, compiled by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation personnel and other individuals, indicates that crappie fishing is picking up. Crappie fishing is one of the most popular fishing opportunities available due to their willingness to bite and their fine flavor at the dinner table.

Crappie can be found moving into shallow water to spawn once the water temperature reaches the upper 50s to lower 60s. Crappie spawning generally takes place in water only 18 to 36 inches deep.

The best place to fish for crappie this time of year is around brush in shallow water. A small jig or minnow is often very effective and the nice thing is, you can be very successful fishing from shore.

For a complete list of regulations, anglers should pick up a copy of the “2004 Oklahoma Fishing Guide” before heading out on any fishing adventure and check out specific lake conditions and fishing action by logging on to the Department’s Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

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