Locating the spawning areas up in the weeds and brush in the shallower water is the key to springtime success.

Gritters noted a lot of techniques are successful on the Mississippi, most of which involve a minnow. Slip-bobbers and minnows on jigs are both popular, and one thing to keep in mind is that you'll be losing baits if you're close to the fish.

"A hook that has the ability to bend is a must when fishing up in the brush on the Mississippi River," said Gritters.

Though anglers can expect to see the occasional 14-incher, fish in the 9- to 11-inch bracket are more common.

For more information, contact the Guttenberg Fisheries Station at (563) 252-1156 or the Fairport Fish Hatchery at (563) 263-5062.

Crappie regulations differ according to the type of water being fished. There is no closed season on inland waters and boundary rivers, and no daily bag limit restrictions, with the exception of the Mississippi River and its backwaters. On the Mississippi River and connected backwaters along the state border, the daily possession limit is 25 and the overall possession limit 50.

For tourism information, contact the Iowa Tourism Division at (515) 242-4705 or visit online at www. traveliowa.com.

Find more about Iowa fishing and hunting at: IowaGameandFish.com