My memories of fishing small waters are vivid and cherished. I always enjoyed fishing out-of-the-way places, and I still do today.

Most northern fishermen have the advantage of having many places to fish, including smaller bodies of water. An advantage of small waters is you don’t have the problem of finding fish, at least compared to large lakes. The fish have a limited number of places to hide. Therefore, you won’t have the urge to move all the time like you might on a big lake. More time is spent fishing.

Small waters are more economical to fish. You don’t need a big, gas-burning boat and the expenses that go with it. Small, economical boats, canoes and kayaks work great.

Wind usually isn’t a big issue on small waters. You can get on the protected side and fish from the bank or from a boat. A small boat can be a kayak that you slide into the water, or a trailered boat with a trolling motor and small outboard, launched from a ramp.

Crappie fishing starts with structure and cover. Creeks, ditches, ledges, points and other contour features provide crappies with the depths and reference points they need. Covers include brush piles, stake beds and trees where crappies have protection, a place to ambush prey and a place for shade. The combination of good structure and cover creates potentially great fishing spots.

Catching fish means following a few rules. Being quiet is critical and often the most abused rule. It’s easier to catch fish when they don’t know you are there. Boat control is important, too. Anchoring is a good way to hold a position and fish nearby cover. A trolling motor is a bonus, but must be used quietly. Don’t get right on top of the crappies or they will spook and swim away.

Jigging is a good crappie tactic when working areas with brush, stumps or trees. Jigs are easy to get in and out of cover with the fewest hang-ups. A 1/16-ounce jig with a small plastic body, like a baby shad, is a good overall choice for getting bites. The best colors vary with different waters, but black/chartreuse, white/chartreuse and monkey milk cover most situations.

Casting is fun and increases fishing distance for bank fishermen. For boat fishermen, it can keep baits further from the boat to avoid spooking fish. A slip-float and minnow allow a bait to stay in an area for a long time and provide a bite indicator.

Most fishermen have access to small ponds, lakes and backwaters where you can have fun and catch crappies, or at least some species of fish. Get back to nature, relax and have a great time exploring and fishing small waters.

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