2-29-16
(SOCIAL CIRCLE)- Right now is the time to take advantage of some cool weather crappie fishing, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “If you need information on some fantastic ‘hot spots’ for crappie fishing, we have it” said John Biagi, chief of fisheries management. “And when you go, be sure to bring a friend or family member with you – and bring your camera to capture some of the action on the water!”
During winter, crappie congregate in deeper water, generally 15-30 feet deep, near the mouths of major tributaries and in the main lake. Large schools are easily located with sonar electronics.
As the water warms in late March, crappie will move to more shallow water toward the middle and back of major tributaries, preferring to congregate around woody cover such as stumps, logs, downed trees, fish attractors and creek ledges. Minnows and small jigs are favored bait, and light spinning tackle spooled with 6- or 8-pound test line is recommended.
In northeast Georgia some of the cool weather hot spots include: Lake Lanier’s upper part of the reservoir, especially the Chattahoochee River arm. Crappie will be holding tight to downed trees in the Clarks Bridge area as well as Wahoo Creek and Little River. In Lake Hartwell, crappie are most abundant in the Eastanollee Creek area, especially upstream of Buoy EC3, and in the upper reaches of Lightwood Log Creek. Lake Nottely, near Blairsville, also supports a decent crappie fishery. Look for crappie in downed timber along the main shoreline upstream of the Deavertown Boat Ramp and in the upper reaches of Youngcane Creek.
