I'm an Air Force guy stationed here in the Wichita Falls area and am relatively new to these lakes around this area. I read the TFF all the time so I know there are lots of people on this forum that have forgotten more about crappie that I will ever know, so if you don't mind I have some questions about crappie. Lots of our lakes don't have a lot of large trees or noticeable structure to fish. I do fish the oil rigs at Arrowhead, but haven't had any luck at all. With the cold weather lately, are most of the crappie in deep water around brushpiles and drop-offs or are they in relatively shallow water? We do have some coves that are 6-12 feet deep with brush piles and boat docks, but that's about it. Also, when will the crappie start moving into the shallower water? I don't expect anyone to give up their spots at these lakes, but getting pointed in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I'm getting a little discouraged going out constantly and not getting a bite. Thanks again.

billynjuls
Think about trying Lake Kickapoo. A commercial fishing dock is located there and often in the winter, good stringers of crappie are caught there. Located between you and Seymour. Lakes Diversion and Kemp have had golden algae problems.

Good fishing,
Mud-Dabber

A great place for military is the Shepard Annex on Lake Texoma. There are camping facilies,cabins, cafe, boat rentals and an excellant covered fishing dock. This is for active and retired military only, great place.

Thanks guys. I have a boat so I really need to know what's going on in the main lakes around here with the crappie. I have fished at the Kickapoo barge, but lately it's been just a few small ones. I actually fished Kickapoo lake today, but wasn't real sure where to look for them at. I fished the brushpiles in about 10 foot of water, but no luck. Nats, we're actually going up there in March to stay at the cabins for a couple of days and fish the lake. I'm looking forward to it.

Look for scattered fish off the points in 25-30' deep water. This is a tough time of the year to learn a new lake and method of fishing.

Lots of good people there. You can fish for crappie in the dock. At night strippers come in around the lights around the rocks. They also catch small mouth bass in the area. If you want to make about a 3 mile run East to willis bridge that is a good place. I fish the North side of Willis bridge in august at night. Put out a light and fish down about 20 foot with a minnow then hang on. You can catch anything from a stripper to a crappie to a big blue.

Thanks again for everyone's help. I really do appreciate it. I have fished for crappie all my life, its just that being in a different type of lake than I'm used to makes me feel a little lost.

Billy, as stated earlier, Shepard Annex is
a great place to go. I am not military but I
have friends that get me on the post.
There is a 1st rate marina there where you
can dock your boat overnight, and an indoor
heated crappie house loaded with brush and
almost no fishing pressure on the weekdays
and very little on the weekends.

My pal was up there last week and caught a
bunch of crappie outta the house, and scored
a nice pig on some nearby public land.

There are several locals that jug fish for
kitties and even a few snowbirds from up
"NAWTH" that will give you some pointers
on the Crappie (they sell minnows at the dock
too.)

Its cheap to rent a cabin (reservations needed
during the summer) something like 50.00/night
and the cabins have kitchens so you can eat in.

If you decide to go... ask around for a guy
named Bob-ED, he is one of the locals and
loves to share a story and can put you on
some fish too (offering a cool beverage will
help in your quest for information)

Good Luck

-Sniper

Thanks sniper for all the information. I will definitely look him up. Thanks again.

Billy

I HAVE CAUGHT SOME GOOD SANDIES AND STRIPERS OFF THE SHEPPARD ANNEX ON TEXOMA, ALTHOUGH I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT TIME OF YEAR I WAS FISHING THERE.

Can't wait to go. From the sounds of it, you never know what you might catch there.

Good luck, billy. Though i'm not military, my father was, as are many mates i've worked with in the National Weather Service who are AF. I'm the radar program manager, and deal with Fort Hood all the time, as well as Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA.

We appreciate everything you folks do for our country! Always!

--BigCat
AgAlum93'