These days it seems virtually all our natural resources are heavily regulated due to their real or perceived finite limits. Whether it's access to woodlands, low water in our reservoirs or shrinking creel limits, we're all challenged to tread lightly and use less.
Against that backdrop, fishing for crappie in April comes as a welcome change. Crappie are found in all north Georgia reservoirs and make terrific table fare. Equally important, they're extremely prolific, allowing for a harvest limit of 30 per angler per day. These fish let us collect the ingredients for a fish fry with a clean conscience and no damage to the resource.
Right now crappie are in the midst of their annual spawn on nearby Allatoona Lake, barely 30 minutes northwest of Interstate 285. During this rite, large schools of the fish move near shore to lay eggs around any wood debris in the water. That can be a downed tree, brush pile or boat dock.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the angling on Allatoona remains good for the species. The average crappie caught from this lake weighs around 1/2 pound. However, lunkers pushing the 2-pound mark regularly turn up as well.
Adult crappie feed almost exclusively on minnows. Many of the bait shops around the reservoir sell small 'crappie minnows.' Dangling one beneath a cork near any wood in the water can lead to fast and easy action right now. The crappie spawn is a great time to take kids and novice anglers fishing.
Good places to start your search for crappie at Allatoona are in the Kellogg, Illinois or Stamp Creek arms of the impoundment. With more than two dozen parks and public boat ramps scattered around the lake, access to the fishery is excellent.
Jimmy Jacobs is the editor of Georgia Sportsman magazine. He can be contacted at jimmy.jacobs@imoutdoors.com.
Tips
A map of Allatoona Lake and its parks can be found on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers web site at http://allatoona.sam.usace.army.mil/.
Crappie are often called 'papermouths' due to the soft tissue around their mouths. Jerking too hard easily can pull a hook free when you get a bite.
3.2 -Weight in pounds of the largest verified crappie caught from Allatoona Lake. Darrell Baxter hooked the fish in May of 1994.
10 - Length in inches of the average Allatoona Lake crappie, according to Georgia DNR.
12,010 - Number of surface acres of water in Allatoona Lake at full pool according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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