Steward points out that reports from local anglers, and trawls, electrofishing, creels and other data from fisheries biologists, and knowledge of habitat trends all go into selecting these lakes. The list focuses on larger water bodies that have good access and can sustain more fishing effort, so even if your local lake isn’t on the list, don’t be afraid to try it. One of the best things about crappie fishing in Florida is that you can find them in almost all of our lakes.

Unlike most other panfish, crappie spend much of their time offshore, feeding on small fish. Successful anglers often drift through deeper water, fishing with small minnows or freshwater grass shrimp until they find a school. Try a light wire #4 hook and small split shot below a float. Speck anglers typically use several rods or poles, fishing at different depths until they pinpoint concentrations of fish. In the extreme, these are referred to as “spider rigs” for the way the rods look like spider legs sticking out from all sides of the boat. Specks move inshore to spawn during early spring, sometimes gathering in large numbers around heavy cover. Crappie also readily strike artificials; 1/16 oz. to 1/8 oz. feathered or curly-tail jigs in white, yellow, pink and chartreuse are popular. Tipping the jig with a live minnow makes it even more effective. Night fishing for crappie is equally productive. Any of the above baits fished near a lantern or floodlight can produce nice stringers. Most crappie fishing occurs in cooler months, but anglers who fish into the summer can do very well, especially at night.