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Games of Knowledge | Sports and Exercise

Games of Knowledge and Games of Sport

Crappie Fishing Tips

| November 13, 2011

Crappie fishing can be practiced wherever there is a lake river or stream. If you are a beginner fisherman, then this is the appropriate fish species for you, because is one of the easiest targets. Anyone that considers in joining the sport of angling needs to keep in mind that fishing for crappies is really not so expensive and even beginners will catch fish. All you need is a bobber and a cane pole that has 10ft or more in size with a line hook, these items will cost you under 25$. Of course you can spend much more if you get to love this sport and you wish to go to the next level, but for crappie angling the cane pole is all that you need.

Before you attempt to go fishing, you need to learn some standard facts about this fish. In order to know the best time to catch them, or where they are located, you first need to do some exploration. Also, to buy the suitable crappie live baits, you need to know what they favor to consume.

A good place to do that is the internet, just do some simple investigation about crappie anatomy. A good instance why you need to do that is that if your bait is below them, they won’t notice it, due to the fact that the crappies eyes can’t move in a position to allow them to look downward. There are two varieties of crappies: Promoxis nigromaculatus (or the dark crappie) and Promoxis annularis (or the white crappie). Both of these species are from the sunfish spouse and children (Centrarchidae) which consists of largemouth bass, bluegills and other warm h2o game fish. The elementarys in crappie angling will work on both these varieties. Here is a tip on how you can identify each type: white crappie are lighter in color and have a defined vertical pattern of spots, while dark crappie are a bit darker with a irregular pattern of spots. Some other way to identify them is counting the variety of splines on their dorsal fin; for instance the white crappie really should have between 5 and 6, while the dark crappie between 7 and 8. Also an additional way to unique these two varieties is the fact that white crappie are found in the slow moving rivers and large lakes, while the dark crappie desire the colder, apparent water.

Depending on the drinking water conditions in each unique zone, the average size of this fish can differ. commonly a normal size catch is around ½ to 1 pound, but if you are lucky and know where to look for, you might catch some fish in the 2lb+ vary. The report for the main white crappie ever caught was set in Enid Lake Mississippi, which is 5.2lb, and for the black crappie in Kerr Lake Virginia and Otoe Lake Nebraska, which is around 4.8lb.

Insects, small crustaceans and crappie minnows are the frequent crappie food supply. bugs and crustaceans are generally used for the young fish, while the adults mainly consume small fish. So remember, when you are going to your crappie fishing, just keep in mind the basics and there is a good chance that you will come home with a lot of good eating fish every time you go crappie fishing.     

Morrilton Area Lakes

| August 15, 2011

The Morrilton region is home to three popular lakes of Arkansas, which give families a number of outdoor activities.


Lake Overcup, located simply minutes north of Morrilton, Arkansas, off of either Highway 95 (exit 107 off ofInterstate 40) or Arkansas Highway 9 (exit 108 off I-40), is one of the most popular crappie fishing holes in Arkansas. The standard-size crappie pulled from this 1025-acre lake is 11 oz, but greater crappie have been taken. The daily limit for crappie is twenty.


There are two handicapped accessible fishing piers provided at Lake Overcup — 1 at AR Highway 95 access and the second at the Arkansas 9 entrance. In addition to the fishing piers, you can try your luck from the 5000-plus-foot-long dam or by boat.


James H. Brewer Lake, known simply as Brewer Lake, is the main water supply for the city of Conway, AR. It has a surface area of 1.8 miles and is formed by a dam across Cypress Creek. Most anglers catch bream, black crappie, bass, and catfish from this lake.


Brewer Lake is located several miles from Morrilton. Get off I-40 at the Plumerville ramp from Interstate 40 and drive north on Highway 92 until you reach the lake’s entrance. There are not any concessions available at this lake.


Lake Bailey, in Petit Jean State Park, made by a rock barrier on Cedar Creek. The lake is 170 acres, and you can fish, canoe, pedal boat, or water bike on this picturesque setting. The boathouse has a range of equipment available to rent to help guests enjoy their time at this lake. Lake Bailey is stocked annually with catfish, crappie, and bass. You can fish from a boat or from the ADA accessible pier.


Petit Jean State Park also offers campsites, cabins, a pool, playground, hiking trails, picnic areas, a restaurant, recreation hall, tennis courts, and Mather Lodge. It is located minutes from Morrilton, and is the flagship of the Arkansas state park system.

To find out more about theseArkansas lakes, visit SeeMorrilton.com.