Freshwater Fishing Archives - Page 248 of 292

July 16, 2026

Most of the crappie in Kerr Reservoir in March will be found on deep structure.

Lake of the Month: Kerr Reservoir

John H. Kerr Reservoir once had the reputation as a top-drawer lake to catch largemouth bass, striped bass and catfish. […]

Kenny Allen trolled up these two slab crappie at Jordan Lake.

Unlimited Slab Success

Dan Kibler

A lot of anglers might think that Kenny Allen of Brown Summit missed out on the heyday of crappie fishing at B. Everett Jordan Lake in the 1990s, a decade after the reservoir opened and was quickly labeled one of the Southeast’s best fisheries for both crappie and largemouth bass. […]

According to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission surveys, black crappie far outnumber white crappie at Jordan Lake.

It’s all black and white

Dan Kibler

Most reservoirs support good populations of black crappie and white crappie, and despite pro angler Kenny Allen’s assertions that there are plenty of white crappie in Jordan Lake. […]

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission instituting creel and size limits for crappie on Jordan Lake in 2004 and improved the fishery tremendously in terms of quality of fish and better age distribution.

Success does have limits

Dan Kibler

The crappie fishing at Jordan Lake is managed under regulations that are unique among reservoirs in North Carolina. […]

Jerry Neeley said this kind of stringer of crappie has become “common” at Lake Norman in the past two or three years.

Stormin’ Norman

Dan Kibler

With the exception of perhaps striped bass, there appears to be a great awakening at Lake Norman, formerly referred to by scores of anglers as North Carolina’s “Great Dead Sea.” […]

Lake Norman’s crappie fishery has improved over the past half-dozen years, with fishermen like Chris Nichols reporting greater numbers of fish, as well as the quality fish they’ve caught in the past.

No answers just yet

Dan Kibler

Biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission don’t have any solid reason for the uptick in crappie fishing in Lake Norman. […]

Getting a bait back under a pier or boathouse is important to reach crappie that position themselves back in the shade under the cover of a platform or boat parked in a slip.

Put a bull’s eye on docks

Dan Kibler

With crappie holding on brush or around the pier’s pilings, Neeley and Nichols go to light-action spincasting outfits spooled with 4-pound test mono. […]

One of the two leaders for a double-hook rig is tied to a No. 2 red hook. Sprouse said he believes he gets more bites when he uses a “bleeding” hook.

Tight line on crappie slabs

Tony Garitta

The rod tip of the 16-foot crappie pole began quivering in the cold February air. With a sweep of the rod, Tom Sprouse of Advance quickly brought another chunky crappie aboard his boat. […]

American shad can grow up to 5 pounds and anglers catch them at central-coast rivers and streams each spring.

Shad runs begin on eastern North Carolina rivers and streams

Craig Holt

The first fish migration of spring is underway on North Carolina coastal counties and, although these creatures aren’t much to write home about nor do they provide eye-popping photographs to send the local newspaper, they provide excellent and numerous light-tackle thrills. […]