Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Virginia anglers typically look forward to spring and its great crappie fishing. And, after a very good season last year, Virginia anglers have yet another good season ahead of them this spring.

While some fisheries may be seeing a decline in the quality or quantity of fish due to drought or the floods of the past few years, the crappie fishery as a whole in Virginia has managed to remain stable or even improve at a number of impoundments. Every region has at least one great crappie destination and one sleeper water, too. Read on to find out which one is nearest you!

TIDEWATER REGION
The Tidewater Region of Virginia boasts some of the most fertile waters in the state. Fishing for any species of fish in tidal creeks and rivers as well as millponds, farm ponds and even lakes is phenomenal. Crappie are no exception.

Because tidal rivers often hold good populations of crappie, we turned to the fisheries biologist who studies the tidal rivers in the region and asked where anglers should venture in search of a stringer of crappie.

Bob Greenlee works the region from the James River north. Greenlee pointed out that the tidal James River is a very good spot to dunk minnows or pitch small jigs for papermouths. Greenlee noted that some of the major tributaries that hold good numbers of crappie include Herring Creek, Wards Creek and Upper Chippokes Creek.

A smart second choice for anglers is the quiet waters of the Mattaponi River. The river may be small, but it makes up for its size in quality fish of all species including crappie. Anglers need to do some looking before they strike pay dirt, though, as our expert explained.

"Anglers will have to search for structure holding crappie in both of these waters, but once found they can expect to encounter good numbers of crappie in the 12- to 13-inch range, with a fair number approaching 15 inches."

Greenlee also pointed out that the average size crappie was 13 inches in both the James and Mattaponi rivers.

"The James definitely offers a greater abundance of these fish and holds more crappie in the 14-inch range. These fish are chunky, with crappie in the 1 1/2- to 2-pound range common in the James and crappie in the 1- to 1 1/4-pound range common in the Mattaponi," he added.

Anglers should seek out structure such as downed trees, piers, docks and duck blinds in water at least 3 feet deep at low tide. As with many tidal rivers, structure located next to the channel or a dropoff is better than isolated structure.

SOUTHERN PIEDMONT REGION
Southside Virginia is a very popular destination for crappie anglers from within and out of the state. In fact, Buggs Island may well be the crappie mecca of the Mid-Atlantic region. Vic DiCenzo, fisheries biologist who handles the fisheries work in the region, reported that an angler caught a crappie that weighed 3 pounds in May after spawning! That is one huge slab. DiCenzo pointed out that anglers visiting Buggs can very well find fishing conditions so good that they begin culling any fish less than 12 inches. Last season, the fishing during a crappie tournament turned up a 10-fish stinger weighing over 20 pounds.

What makes the crappie put on such good weight? DiCenzo points out that the body weights are increasing due to a good shad and herring spawn at Buggs. There is plenty of forage for the fish and obviously anglers are seeing the results of a good feed.