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I'm just getting back into fishing now that I am retired and live close to Pierce Lake which is in Rock Cut State Park near Rockford Illinois. I don't own a boat so I am a shore fisherman. Any tips on where to find crappies within casting distance of the shore, what type of cover to look for, etc.?
Thanks
Fishing Pelican
Weed beds ... fallen trees ... submerged bushes or tree limbs ... dock/pier pillars (stationary docks) ... concrete bridge pillars ... standing tree trunks or stumps ... floating mats of leaves/limbs/trash : or in other words, just about anything that provides shade, a place to hide in ambush or from other predatory critters, a suitable nesting site (during the spawn), or one that has an algae buildup on it (that will draw Shad, minnows, or fry of other fish to it for a hiding place or to feed on the algae or critters that do).
Pretty much what anglers fishing from a boat, towards the bank, would normally look for and cast to or fish around. They can & do hold fish, even after the spawn, since the shade keeps the water cooler during the warmer periods. And even when the water gets very warm, they can be found in those shaded spots ... since not only is the water cooler, but the oxygen content is higher ... and the fish will frequent those shallower areas very early & late in the day.
Pick up a light weight folding chair and sit for a spell. Enjoy your retirement fishing for crappies. Lots of info on this site that will help guide your efforts when you have
questions. Share some photos when you can.
try shabbona lake ,just south of dekalb crappie are coming close to shore now go to shabbonalake.com for more info rich mc
I have a boat but I can never find anyone to go fishing with, so I end up shore fishing a lot.. Get a pair of hip waiters, a lot of the smaller lakes and reservoirs have brush along the edges sometimes it's easier to walk the edge of shallow waters to get to the structure.. Also, you can get away from a mojority of the crowds. Good luck finding the honey holes!
Just be careful wading, water depths can change quickly and your footing might not be the best. Also pay attention to lake regulations, most of the ones by me do not allow wading.
I have the same problem, no boat. I look for big weedlines and fallen trees to fish around. Usually the closer to shore will produce gills and farther out is when I start to find crappie.
Do your lakes have fishing docks ? Here the corps and Game and fish Commission have built docks on many lakes docks for fishing that are handicapped accessiable .
There are 2 docks but one is in very shallow water mostly for children.Quote:
Originally Posted by NIMROD
One of the first things I bought was a Coleman camp chair, very light weight and easy to carry. Pierce Lake in Rock Cut State Park is about 10 minutes from my house and a great place to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors. Catching bluegills or crappies (or an occasional dumb bass) is a bonus. Thanks.