Louisiana Crappie Fishing Tips and Methods

Louisiana crappie fishing is some of the finest in theaccepted, and in Texas, from December to February
country. There are plenty of people that will tell youfishermen must keep the first fifty they catch
that this type of fishing is perhaps the favorite amongregardless of their respective sizes.
many anglers in the region. That is a good thing andToledo bend crappie are usually in spawn in April in the
well deserved because the fish are populous here andcoves and shallows, but the spawn holds off as long
they anglers are destined to enjoy the process ofas June sometimes, depending on weather conditions,
catching them. If you are planning to fish for crappieespecially in the deep Southern end of the reservoir. In
fish here, in Louisiana, you need to know where to goearly spring, crappie are often found suspended
to find them, what to bring with you and why it is goingbeneath baitfish along edges of the old river channel,
to feel good to bring them on board.especially in the well-known Chicken Coop area.
Toledo Bed in Louisiana has long been known as oneThe Saline-Larto complex is approximately 8,000
of the best places to fish for crappie in Louisiana. Thisacres large. It is just to the east of Toledo Bend. It is a
reservoir is approximately 180,000 acres and is aboutdistinctly swampy area, but consistently produces
sixty-five miles long. This runs along the Texascrappie in excess of three pounds, so nobody can
Louisiana bordered Sabine River, and has consistentlyargue that it is a fine area in which to catch crappie.
produced great numbers of white and black crappieAnglers also have tremendous success bagging good
for your fishing and eating pleasure. Black crappie aresize limits of crappie in bayou drops. Other prime
the more common of the two, and a team can catchsections are Muddy Bayou, Nolan Bayou, Cross Bayou,
fifty to a hundred one to two pound crappie a day,Open Bayou, and Shad Lake and Powell's Point.
and some even weigh in at over three pounds here.November through February are the best times to fish
It is important to note that anglers with both Texas anddeeper water for crappie, but the spawn begins in the
Louisiana fishing licenses may fish this lake, butearly Spring and March sees the height of the spawn
regulations vary depending on which license you have.occur. The spawn signals the beginning of great
Both those with Texas and Louisiana licenses mayshallow water fishing for crappie. During this time,
keep up to fifty crappie (both black or white or afishing around the shorelines is excellent, making it a
combination), but in Texas they must be a minimum ofgreat time for youngsters to fish the banks.
ten inches in length. In Louisiana, nine inches is