| Lake Fork is an excellent place to go crappie | | | | near brush, grassy areas and hovering over |
| fishing. There are many different areas in | | | | deep holes, but did you know that they also |
| this lake that is the home of this popular | | | | have certain trails they travel regularly? |
| species of fish making it possible to catch | | | | Knowing where these areas are located on the |
| your limit easily. You will find Lake Fork in | | | | lake and being able to return to them on a |
| Texas about 75 miles east of Dallas. It | | | | regular basis is the key to finding and |
| covers an area of 27,700 acres. Many anglers | | | | catching crappie. This species is referred to |
| visit Lake Fork exclusively for the great | | | | as layer fish because they are normally |
| crappie fishing. After all, they are one of | | | | suspended at different depths throughout the |
| the best tasting fish around and one of the | | | | water depending on the time of year. |
| main reasons they are so sought after. | | | | |
| | | | Therefore, the season you go fishing and the |
| Both white and black crappies are found in | | | | different weather conditions also makes a |
| Lake Fork. However, the white crappie is the | | | | difference in where the crappie can be found. |
| most abundant and is the species that is | | | | In the winter months they move out into |
| caught the majority of the time when fishing | | | | deeper water near the dam, lake points and |
| this lake. Of course, the main difference | | | | similar areas. When you find a location where |
| between the two species is the color. The | | | | the crappies are swimming all you need to do |
| white crappie has very light color scales | | | | is drop in your anchor and begin fishing. |
| while the black crappies are much darker in | | | | Vertical jigging is recommended and will |
| color with a black line running from their | | | | normally provide you with the best results. |
| top fin to their mouth. Crappies are often | | | | In the spring and fall seasons, the crappie |
| referred to by other names such as | | | | can be found closer inland near the bridges |
| papermouth, perch and slab just to name a | | | | and banks. When laying their eggs they can be |
| few. | | | | found in very shallow water where they are |
| | | | easy to see. |
| Crappie fishing is pretty easy even for the | | | | |
| not so experienced fisherman so buying a | | | | If you are not familiar with Lake Fork, then |
| bunch of expensive fishing gear is not | | | | you can hire a guide to carry you out to all |
| necessary, unless you just enjoy carrying | | | | the hot spots and save yourself a lot of |
| them around with you. The most popular | | | | time. If you prefer to go it alone then you |
| equipment used for crappie fishing is the | | | | can buy a map of the area that gives you |
| small ultra light rods combined with push | | | | details and so forth to help you out. Local |
| button reels. These are simple but very | | | | bait shops can provide you with these maps |
| effective. to catch crappie? Well most all | | | | along with other vital information that can |
| anglers know that crappie tend to hang out | | | | add to the success you can have. |
| under and around fallen trees, under bridges, | | | | |