Crappie Fishing on Eagle Mountain and Lake Worth.
We offer limited crappie trips on Eagle Mountain Lake and Lake Worth, two of the closest lakes to Fort Worth. Light tackle, jigs and minnows, brush and timber, and a cooler full of slabs on the right day. Call or text 817-522-3804 to check availability.
Limited Crappie Trips Close to Home.
North Texas Catfish Guide Service is best known for catfish, but crappie are one of the most requested fish we get asked about. Eagle Mountain Lake and Lake Worth both hold good crappie populations, and both are within about half an hour of downtown Fort Worth, which makes them easy to fit into a morning.
Crappie trips are seasonal, limited to 2 guests and not bookable through our online scheduler. They work best for anglers who want a relaxed, light-tackle day, for parents introducing a child to fishing and for anyone who wants a few slabs for the frying pan. If you want to catch crappie, text or call and we'll talk through dates and conditions.
Crappie on Eagle Mountain Lake.
Eagle Mountain Lake is our home water, and Chad fishes it nearly every day. The lake covers about 9,200 acres on the West Fork of the Trinity River on the northwest side of Fort Worth. Clear water on the lower end and stained water uplake give crappie different places to set up as the seasons change.
Crappie here relate to boat docks, brush piles, bridge pilings and the reed beds on the upper end of the lake. In spring, fish move shallow around cover to spawn, and that's when the bite is most consistent. Later in the year they pull back to deeper brush and channel edges. Because Chad is on the water so often, he can usually tell you how the crappie are setting up before you ever leave the house.
Legal crappie can be kept on Eagle Mountain trips. Texas allows 25 per person per day with a 10-inch minimum, and we'll help you sort keepers from short fish.
Crappie on Lake Worth.
Lake Worth is a small, shallow, stained lake inside Fort Worth city limits, about 15 minutes from downtown. It was impounded in 1914 and covers about 3,489 acres, with riprap, timber, points and marina structures that hold crappie through much of the year. It's best known for big blue catfish, but its crappie fishing gets overlooked.
All Lake Worth trips are catch and release, including crappie. There's an official fish-consumption advisory covering Lake Worth and parts of the West Fork of the Trinity River, so we photograph and release everything we catch there. If you want to keep crappie for the table, book on Eagle Mountain Lake instead.
How We Fish for Crappie.
Crappie fishing is light-tackle fishing. We use small jigs and live minnows on light spinning gear, fished vertically over brush or pitched into timber, docks and bridge pilings. Crappie have soft mouths and often bite gently, so Chad will show you how to watch your line, feel the bite and lift into the fish without tearing the hook out.
It's a slower, more methodical style than a fast catfish or white bass bite. We find a piece of cover holding fish, catch what's there and move to the next spot. Garmin electronics on our 2026 SeaArk Pro Guide Patriot help us find brush and see whether crappie are on it before we stop, which saves time and keeps your bait in front of active fish.
When to Book a Crappie Trip.
Spring is the prime window. As the water warms, crappie move shallow to spawn and concentrate around cover, which makes them easier to find and catch. Summer pushes them to deeper structure, and the bite is less consistent with limited availability. Fall brings a solid pattern on mid-depth cover, and winter can be good on the right days when fish group up in deep water.
Because crappie trips are limited, the best dates go quickly in spring. If you have a specific weekend in mind, reach out early. For the full year at a glance, see catfishing by season and our crappie fishing guide.
What to Bring and What's Included.
Every trip includes the boat, rods, reels, jigs, minnows and tackle. Bring food, water or soft drinks (no alcohol at any time), a small cooler and a valid Texas fishing license. Kids 5 and older are welcome, and crappie trips are one of the best ways to get a young angler hooked on fishing.
Want faster action for a bigger group? Channel catfish and white bass trips offer steady bites and fit up to 6 anglers. North Texas Catfish Guide Service has guided in North Texas for 29 years, with 525+ five-star reviews. Text Chad at 817-522-3804 and he'll help you pick the right trip.
Crappie Trip
Questions.
Yes, on a limited, seasonal basis. Eagle Mountain Lake is our home water, and Lake Worth is available by request. Call or text 817-522-3804 to check availability.
Crappie trips are limited to 2 guests. If you have a bigger group, ask about a channel catfish or white bass trip instead.
No. Crappie trips aren't on the online scheduler. Call or text 817-522-3804 and Chad will check dates and conditions with you.
Yes. Texas allows 25 crappie per person per day with a 10-inch minimum length. We'll help you keep legal fish for the table.
No. All Lake Worth trips are catch and release because of the fish-consumption advisory covering the lake and parts of the West Fork of the Trinity River.
Spring is the prime window, when crappie move shallow to spawn. Fall is also solid, and winter can produce on the right days when fish group up deeper.
Food, water or soft drinks (no alcohol at any time), a small cooler and a valid Texas fishing license. We provide the boat, rods, reels, jigs, minnows and tackle.
Ask About a Crappie Trip.
Crappie trips on Eagle Mountain Lake and Lake Worth are limited and seasonal. Text or call 817-522-3804 to check availability.