Been exploring some new lakes and chasing the big ones lately, and just wondering which east Texas lakes do y'all think offer the best chance for a three pounder? Got close with a 2.78 last week!

Which lake where you on where you caught the 2.78? That lake most likely will have 3+ pounders in it as well. Fork, LOP, comes to mind...

Welcome to the forum!! Honorable mention Palestine

To be honest, ANY lake in East Texas you stand a good chance of catching a 3 pounder during the early spring/winter. There are a few lakes that I know if I could spend enough time on the water at the right time of year, it is a certainty that I would get one. They are not very well known and I can't name them on here unfortunately.

Ray Hubbard has some big Crappie in it

I mount 100s of crappie. Without a doubt my #1 species. My #1 contributor is Crappie Masters fisherfolks. I can truthfully say that I probably have had more 3# plus crappie in my hands than anyone on the forum. I heard LOTS of stories. I get more 3# plus crappie from Grenada, Ms. then any other lake in the US. Last year over 50 just in the month of March. Joey Johnson caught 2 over 4# and had replicas of both. 4###S!!!!!! Grenada, Ms. Every year there is some smaller lake that will suddenly produce 3# plus fish. I never divulge the locals, but last year a lake in Oklahoma, before Arkansas and even Kansas. Most of these fish come in March, year after year. This year, Texas is popping out 3# plus fish way earlier than previous years because after the cold weather we had a warming trend that has shot up water temps. Many of these fish are going to spawn early. They are JUST TOO BIG to make it until March. Eggs are getting ripe. It appears to me that I get the biggest females first. They are the first to spawn if the conditions are right.
NOW where do I get the majority of the Texas 3# plus crappie???? Fork comes in as Numero Uno!!! Without a doubt, lakes trend. I haven't had a good fish come from Palestine in several years. There is always the one here and one there deal, this lake or that.....BTW, this years fish are coming from a small sleeper lake so far. How common are MONSTA crappie? Some good guides that fish Fork consistently have never caught a 3# plus fish. Their customers may have, but they haven't. I hear folks tell me every year....."I'm going to Fork, or Pines or even Grenada for a week next spring and I'll be bringing you a 3#er". That phone never rings on their return. It isn't that easy!!!!!!! Just some insight!!

Welcome to the forum! Like many folks above have said, and like the many posts on here will tell ya, Lake Fork is consistent with big Crappie. I've had days over by the dam where we pulled out back-to-back slaps in the 2lb range.

Depending on your situation, hiring a local guide can significantly help you track down the elusive 3lber. I'm not sure if its allowed to promote guides on this forum but if you are interested, message me and I can get you the name and number of one of the best guides up that way. Good luck!

The biggest crappie I ever saw came from a 20 acre pit. Deep clear water in an urban area. Buddy caught it on a Strike King 10XD. For those who do not know that is a HUGE crank bait meant for deep largemouth fishing. It was all of 4lbs no doubt.

I dont target crappie very often but run into larger ones when bass fishing quite often. I kind of joke that I only catch crappie over 15 inches... its nearly true. Catch them on spinnerbaits, cranks and even a few times on soft plastics!

Point is I think in North Texas and East Texas there are a large number of bodies of water that can kick out a giant crappie. Most of the best ones will not be named here. Just go fishing, size up your baits and see what happens

Locally my vote would go to Navarro Mills. Not sure how much the big one weighed as my batteries on scale were out and the marina office was closed I did not think to much about it then as I fished a lot . Looking at old pics and I realize it was the largest I ever caught it was a slow day in February. If anyone can let me know if they can guesstimate weight I’d appreciate it big one was 17 1/4”. Very tall and very wide. The fish on top right was 10”. The fish next to big one was 15”

Have never caught a 3 pounder, but caught a 2lb 12oz and sever 2lb 10oz on Lake of the Pines. If you ever head east to Louisiana, Poverty Point is hard to beat for big fish.

Fork would be my best guess for lakes I would name on here.

I've put a couple folks on 3's there, although I still don't have one. Grenada is the king for 3 pounders as Bill said! I've caught 5 fish over 3 pounds and 4 of them are from Grenada with the biggest being a 3.72.

Grenada or West Point in Mississippi without a doubt.

I left a pole sitting next to the wooden rail on an indoor fishing dock. Buchanan lake. The line had three jigs on a leader.



Upon returning an hour later. There it was. Hooked. Biggest crappie I've ever seen. 4#(?)


Nobody but me laid eyes on this fish and I cut it loose.

The last I heard the state record was caught on Navarro Mills Lake.

I would suggest smaller out of the way lakes that get little fishing pressure would be your best bet. Google Earth is your best friend.