speaking of crappie...

[quacK5]

When I was living in John Day I have had a couple of people tell me that some of the best fishing for crappie in the state is in a series of shallow lakes by Hart Mtn. Refuge. They said that they are in the middle of nowhere and that it is a dust bowl but there are tons of crappie and some are huge. Anyone ever been down there or know anyone that went down there?

[B-RUN STEELIE]

Thats a true story but an old story. The drought pretty much wiped those lakes out.. but in the mid 80's WOW- We have not been for several years but it was a good time while it lasted.

[bucketmouth]

B-run-steelie is right. I used to live in Bend and in the 80's those lakes kicked out some pretty nice crappie. They were in fact decimated though and it may be awhile before those lake come back to that same great crappie fishing status.

[Snapset]

I think those are the warner valley lakes. I was by there last spring and at least at that time there was plenty of water and wind. I did not stop to fish, but some people were fishing. Gorgeous country.

[quacK5]

The only reason that I mentioned it was that a guy I know said he went down and fished it about 4 years ago and said he caught plenty of good ones and a couple of real good ones. I assumed that if he went and was fairly successful that there would be water in them and the fish had recovered enough to grow to decent size.

[salmurai]

quacK5, It might be worth checking out. I fished Campbell lake years ago and the crappies were huge compared to the average Brownlee fish. Why don't you go check it out and let me know. I can keep a secret. Trust me :smirk: :grin: :wink: