Lake Talquin (west of Tallahassee)

Think about it . . . this 8,800-acre reservoir is just outside Tallahassee. It’s where the FWC’s top brass goes fishing, so you know they’re going to make sure this gem gets all the attention it can use.  A 10” minimum size limit on crappie in the lake helps to maintain the fishery.  Is it any surprise the state record—a 3-pound, 13 ¼-ounce black crappie—was pulled out of Lake Talquin? This lake has lots of submerged stumps and snags, so you’ll want to exercise caution when navigating the area. But, if you want to catch some nice crappie, you’ll love it here.

Orange Lake / Lochloosa Lake (located between Gainesville and Ocala)

Despite low water level creating access issues at Orange and Lochloosa Lakes, the crappie fishing has been outstanding the last few years. Much of the bite is attributed to a strong age-4 year class of fish that comprises the bulk of the crappie populations in the lakes.  Crappie over a pound have been common, and reports of fish over two pounds have been steady.  The lakes have established enough of a reputation that the Crappie USA organization has added Orange and Lochloosa Lakes to their tour the last two years.  Black crappie can be targeted in the winter and spring months near shore.  On both lakes, the lily pads and grasses are good places to focus your efforts using minnows.  As summer and fall approach, drift the open water using jigs and/or minnows, particularly near any offshore hydrilla patches that are available.  If water levels are low during your planned trip, the Heagy-Burry Park boat ramp is the best one to use in Orange Lake.  Additionally, the county or the Lochloosa Harbor Fish Camp ramps should be accessible in Lake Lochloosa.

Lake Weir (south Marion County)

This lake is producing very good crappie catches. FWC biologists have observed that crappie sizes are running slightly larger in the early part of the 2007-08 season compared to last year’s sizes. Located near Weirsdale, this 5,685-acre lake is somewhat atypical, with depths exceeding 20 feet and irregular bottom countours. The FWC maintains 12 brush fish attractors which are successfully utilized by many anglers.  These attractors can be easily spotted by looking for the large yellow buoys.  For GPS coordinates of the attractors, contact FWC fishery biologists at (352) 732-1225. Most anglers use minnows and grass shrimp near the attractors, but some drift the open waters too.

Crescent Lake (Flagler & Putnam Counties) 

Cooler temperatures bring plenty of visitors to this lake for its often-outstanding crappie fishing.  Although the lake is known to have its good years and “off” years, it is still considered one of the best crappie lakes in the region. Anglers should have good luck drifting or trolling minnows or crappie jigs (Hal-Flies are local favorites), particularly in the southern end of the lake.  This 15,960-acre lake is a tributary of the St. Johns River and public access to Crescent Lake can be obtained on the west shore off of Highway 17 in Crescent City.  A map may be found on the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website (myFWC.com).   

Lake Monroe (near Sanford)

The FWC’s habitat-restoration wizards have been tuning up this 9,400-acre lake since the late 1980s, and they’ve now got her really going. Since the Commission lifted a minimum length limit in 2005, anglers have flocked back to Monroe and put up many impressive catches. Big crappie go for small jigs, Bream Killers, Hal-Flies or beetle spins.  Missouri minnows and grass shrimp also do well.

Lake Marion (east of Haines City)

For those “in the know,” this 2,990-acre lake appears on most lists of top speck sites.  While not known for producing exceptionally large crappie, Marian is widely regarded as one of the better “numbers” lakes.  During the cooler months, crappie move into the bulrushes, cattails and lily pads to spawn.  In warmer months, they’re found by drifters and slow trollers in open water areas.  Cane-polers are likely to employ Missouri minnows here, while those using light spinning tackle claim nothing beats Hal-Flies or beetle spins.

West Lake Tohopekaliga (south of the city of Kissimmee)

In addition to its fame as a nationally acclaimed largemouth bass destination, Lake Toho has quickly gained a reputation in central Florida as a superior spot for large and abundant crappie. Quite a few FWC “Big Catch” crappie (minimum 14 inches in length or two pounds in weight) have already been reported this year and fall catch rates approached 2½ fish per hour. Anglers are having the most success on FWC fish attractors with Hal Flies (almost any color) and minnows. For GPS coordinates of the fish attractors on Lake Toho, contact FWC fishery biologists at (407) 846-5300.

Lake Kissimmee (east of the city of Lake Wales)

It’s not just a famous largemouth bass fishing spot. A few years ago, you might not have seen 35,000-acre Lake Kissimmee on this list . . . but things changed about four years ago, and crappie fishing here has been excellent ever since. Anglers are catching big ones, too, sometimes throwing back 10-inch “small ones.” To catch your own share of crappie in this lake, fish with minnows and jigs along the grass line and offshore. The deeper holes off the grass lines are good spots too.  

Tenoroc / Mosaic Fish Management Areas (Polk County)

Fishing for crappie on Tenoroc, a 7,300-acre Fish Management Area near Lakeland, can be a rewarding experience, especially during cooler months.  With lakes ranging in size from seven to 227 acres, anglers will have plenty of areas to dunk a bobber with a minnow or jig. Schooling fish can often be caught using this rig near deep drop-offs and underwater humps.  Casting a small beetle spin or jig tipped with a minnow can also produce some nice stringers of fish. Try Lakes 3, 4, 5, and F for some of the best action.  Call the Tenoroc office at (863) 499-2422 for more information or to make reservations, because these lakes are only open to fishing four days a week. 

Lakes within the 1,000-acre Mosaic Fish Management area near Ft. Meade sport some mighty fine crappie populations.  The dozen lakes on the area range in size from ten to 200 acres and many have shorelines with an abundant supply of woody brush, tree tops, and vegetation that are perfect targets for placing a well-hooked minnow under a float.  Trolling deeper areas with this rig can also be productive, especially during winter.  Casting a small beetle spin or jig into deeper areas will produce fish, too.  Try Pine Lake East, SP12 South and Haul Road Pit for some of the best action. The area is only open to fishing four days a week and it’s first-come, first-serve—but don’t worry, you’ll always have a spot somewhere.  For more information, please call (863) 499-2421 ext. 104. 

Lake Istokpoga (near Sebring)

This lake may best be known for its largemouth bass fishing, but others know that winter is the prime time to catch crappie in this 28,000-acre fishing wonder. From November through April, anglers troll open water with Hal-Flies, doll flies, spinner jigs and Napier jigs to locate schools of crappie and then rack up the numbers. When the water temperature stabilizes around 65 degrees, crappie move into bulrush and spatterdock along the shoreline to spawn. There’s a trick to catching them when that happens:  move slowly through the vegetation in three to six feet of water and thoroughly cover the holes and pockets among the vegetation with a crappie jig.