Crappie don’t roam β they cluster. The fish you’re chasing in El Dorado or Cheney are tucked tight against brush, fallen trees, or dock pilings. Find the brush, find the slabs.
Why Brush Piles Work
Crappie are ambush predators. They hold tight to vertical structure and wait for baitfish to swim past. A good brush pile gives them:
- Cover from bass and bigger predators
- Shade from direct sun
- Ambush positions to attack baitfish
- Spawning structure in spring (3-6 ft of water with brush)
One stack of cedar in the right spot can hold 30+ crappie.
Finding Existing Brush in Wichita Lakes
π El Dorado Lake
Standing timber in the Bluestem Point bays. Marker buoys often indicate fish attractor sites. Brush piles tend to be 12-20 ft deep in summer.
π Cheney Reservoir
Less natural cover β look for the established fish attractor sites maintained by the KDWP. Map at kdwp.ks.gov.
π Wilson State Fishing Lake
Stocked brush piles in 8-15 ft. Smaller lake, easier to find.
π Marion Reservoir
Native timber in the headwater arms β drive a bit further for less pressured fish.
π Farm Ponds
If you’ve got access, ponds with submerged structure (dropped Christmas trees, old fence posts) hold all the crappie. Ask permission.
Building Your Own (Legally)
π Public Lake Rules
Most Kansas public lakes require KDWP permission to add fish attractors. Check kdwp.ks.gov before dropping ANYTHING into a public reservoir. Private farm ponds β your land, your call.
Best materials
- Cedar trees β last 5-10 years underwater. Cheapest crappie magnet.
- Bamboo bundles β last 3-5 years. Easy to sink with concrete blocks.
- PVC structures β pre-built fish attractors that last decades. More expensive but permanent.
- Hardwood (oak, hickory) β lasts longest (10+ years) but harder to sink.
How to sink them
- Wire 2-3 trees together at the base
- Wire a cinder block to the base
- Drop in 10-20 ft of water near a known transition (point, drop-off, creek channel)
- Mark the GPS location β you won’t find it later without one
When to build them
Winter is the best season to build brush piles. Water is low (you can wade out farther), fish aren’t pressured, and the brush has 3-4 months to settle before spring crappie spawn.
Fishing the Brush
Once you’ve found (or built) a brush pile:
- Anchor 15-20 ft away (don’t spook the school)
- Vertical-jig small jigs (1/16 oz, chartreuse or pink) just above the brush
- Live minnow on a slip bobber works at the right depth
- Move when the bite slows β crappie move with light and temperature
For full crappie tactics see our Crappie Fishing in Wichita guide.
Related
Visit Mr. Mc’s Market
π 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214
π (316) 265-9930
π Open 9 AM β 9 PM, 7 days a week