"The 2006 fishery survey showed good numbers of 7 1/2- to 9-inch fish," he said. "Both white and black crappies are present, but the blacks are dominant. Crappies on Beeds will move into the shallow water beginning in May and hit the peak of the spawn right around the middle of the month. At this time the fish can be taken within the rocks of the causeway or from the five fishing jetties that are located around the lake. During the summer months, anglers are successful by drifting across the main-lake basin."

A 1/32-ounce tube jig with 4-pound test line is the ticket, said Wahl. And anglers need to remember to fish above the thermocline when the water warms up. Most fish are caught from 4 to 6 feet deep on this lake, since oxygen levels below this can become depleted during the summer months.

Fallen trees are out in the lake near the boat launch north of 165th Street. There is a no-wake rule in place, but motors of any size are allowed.

Beeds Lake, part of Beeds Lake State Park, is two miles northwest of Hampton on 165th Street. For more info, contact the Clear Lake Fish Management unit at (641) 357-3517 or the Beeds Lake State Park at (641) 456-2047.

BRIGGS WOODS LAKE
"The 2006 electrofishing survey showed good numbers of 10-inchers in the half-pound range with a very strong year-class of younger crappies coming on for 2007," said Wahl. "Good growth rates should put these younger fish into a size range that will be acceptable for anglers this year."

Most of the crappies in Briggs Woods are taken on the weed edges or suspended over cover, said Wahl. Small minnows under a bobber or a 1/32-ounce jig tipped with insect larvae both work well. Wahl recommends using good electronics to locate suspended schools of fish and then going at it.

Briggs Woods Lake covers 59 acres in Hamilton County. Two access points are found on the lake, one on the south side in the Briggs Woods County Park, the other on the northwest section of the lake.

For more information, contact the Clear Lake Fish Management unit at (641) 357-3517.

RED ROCK
"The crappie populations in my area are down in a number of spots right now," said Dick McWilliams, a fisheries biologist in Boone. "The most consistent crappie fishery in recent years has been Red Rock, which has some really dandy crappies, if the fishery surveys say anything. There are fish at 3/4 of a pound or better."

Anglers targeting Red Rock's crappies have a lot of room to roam. The lake covers 19,000 acres in Marion, Polk, Jasper and Warren counties.

McWilliams recommends that anglers trying Red Rock for the first time begin in the shallower and warmer sections of the lake such as the Whitebreast area. As the remainder of the lake warms up, trying the rocky areas along the dam and breakwaters can be productive. If water levels are right, points near Elk Rock have been good producers as well. Look for woody cover to tag fish in those areas.

"Without a doubt the favorite lures are jigs and minnows," said McWilliams.