Bundick Lake/Anacoco Lake
According to Reed, these two lakes in his region are quite similar. “While Vernon produces more big fish,” he said, “Bundick and Anacoco are known as ‘numbers’ lakes. Both are home to mostly white crappie and since they frequently flood, some really good crappie spawning habitat is created.”

Bundick Lake is situated southeast of DeRidder, and Anacoco Lake is west of Leesville.

SOUTH-CENTRAL LOUISIANA
Henderson Lake
Fisheries biologist Jody David, who oversees the fishery on Henderson Lake, is encouraged by what he has seen after Hurricane Rita devastated this region in 2005.

“It’s amazing how Henderson Lake has responded since the hurricane. The fish are there and the growth rate is outstanding,” David said. “This should be a super crappie lake this coming spring.”

Henderson Lake consists of 6,500 acres at pool stage.

Lake Chicot
Just outside Ville Platte, 1,642-acre Lake Chicot has long been a good producer of crappie, David reported. “With its many cypress trees and lots of aquatic vegetation,” he said, “the crappie have unlimited areas in which to spawn. Fishing here is usually outstanding for crappie in spring.”

Spring Bayou
This lake near Marksville in Avoyelles Parish is another good crappie fishing lake in spring, according to David. “The lake has had a big problem with hydrilla infestation,” he stated, “but it has been treated with herbicides. Openings have been created, which should give fishermen better access to areas where the fish will spawn.”

Miller’s Lake
This 3,200-acre lake northwest of Ville Platte is another topnotch crappie lake in spring.

“The crappie are there, no doubt about it,” David said. “However, because the lake is quite shallow, there is a vegetation problem. But once you find areas that are more open, you’ll catch the crappie.”

SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA
Lake Cataouatche
This lake with the exotic name is a prime producer of crappie in spring, according to LDWF fisheries biologist Mark Lawson.

“The lake is located in Jefferson and Lafourche parishes and is a small lake just above Lake Salvador. The Davis Pond diversion system allows water to flow into it and with the water has come the weeds.

“However, we’re spraying to open up lanes, which will give fishermen better access,” said Lawson. “There are plenty of crappie in there; the fishermen just need to be able to get back to where they are.”

Lac Des Allemands
This 2,000-acre lake features good crappie fishing both in the lake and bayous that feed it. “It’s fairly shallow,” Lawson noted, “but offers some good fishing around the bridges and trees along shore.”

False River
Long known as a big bass lake, False River, which is an old oxbow lake, also provides some good crappie fishing in spring. “(The) best fishing in spring for crappie seems to be the tributaries that lead into the lake,” said Lawson.

* * * Looking for a honeyhole in which to catch some crappie this spring? Then this litany of lakes strewn from one end of the state to the other is bound to guide you to water that suits your fancy.

Find more about Louisiana fishing and hunting at: LAgameandfish.com