Lake Conroe
Lake Conroe is located in east Texas on the western fork of the San Jacinto River. "Texas Sportsman Magazine" rates it as one of the best crappie lakes in the state. The 20,118-acre lake is filled with brush piles and various structures that are prime locations for crappie. Anglers will have best catches fishing early in springtime and fall. Sonar will help locate fish hanging in deeper waters of 18 to 22 feet where brush piles are located.
Look for marker buoys, which are submerged and covered in green slime, as crappie congregate below them. Anglers will also have luck trolling using a small Road Runner, pulling it slowly throughout the lake's creeks until a crappie bites. They can then anchor in that area and continue fishing. Shad are the most productive bait.
Lake Conroe
San Jacnito River Authority
P.O. Box 329
Conroe, TX 77305
936-588-1111
tpwd.state.tx.us
Lake Livingston
Lake Livingston in east-central Texas makes it on "Texas Sportsman Magazine's" list of top crappie lakes in the state. The 90,000-acre lake has a maximum depth of 77 feet and is located on the Trinity River. The lake produces large quantities and large-size crappie, according to the magazine.
Anglers fishing in April through mid-June should look for crappie in the lake's creek channels that are 10 to 15 feet deep, as the fish congregate there until the weather warms. Once the weather warms, fishing in deeper areas where brush piles are located and at the reservoir's north end will produce the best catches. Anglers should also fish the northern flats, as shad congregate there attracting crappie to the area. Use shad, live minnows and crappie jigs for bait.
Lake Livingston
300 Park Road 65
Livingston, TX 77351
936-365-2201
tpwd.state.tx.us
Cooper Lake
Cooper Lake in northeast Texas is another lake making it on "Texas Sportsman Magazine's" list of best crappie lakes in the state. Located on the Sulphur River at its middle and south fork, the 19,305-acre lake has a maximum depth of 55 feet. Anglers will have the best results in winter using live minnows or crappie jigs. Springtime fishing is also good, and anglers should focus on areas located in the upper portion of the reservoir where vegetation exists.
Anglers should fish the shoreline in areas 1 to 3 feet deep, as shad congregate there attracting crappie. Fishing the upper vegetated coves and embankments will produce catches of crappie, as well as fishing around standing timber, retaining walls and submerged brush piles. Live minnows, shad and crappie jigs work well.
Cooper Lake
Cooper Dam
828 CR 4795
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-945-2108
tpwd.state.tx.us
