"Jordan is definitely a big crappie fishery. Our samples have shown that for years," Waters said. "The Falls (Falls of the Neuse Lake) is good, too, although there may be some decline there, at least that's what we've been hearing. We're going to sample it in 2008 and we'll know for sure then. But even if it has declined somewhat, it's still going to be good."

Jordan covers nearly 14,000 acres at normal pool. It's located just west of Raleigh and a short ways south of Chapel Hill.

Both the New Hope River Arm and the Haw River Arm produce their fair share of slabs. Many artificial fish attractors have been placed throughout the lake. They're marked with buoys and aren't hard to find. Public fishing around them is encouraged. They frequently hold huge numbers of eating-sized crappie, although it can get crowded at times. Many are placed close to the bank to facilitate shore-fishing opportunities for those without a boat.

For anglers with a boat, around-the-clock launching facilities are available at Farrington Point, Ebenezer Beach, Robeson Creek and Poe's Ridge.

The Falls is also big, 12,410 acres at normal pool and elevation. The dam is 28 miles below the confluence of the Eno and Flat rivers, on the Neuse River. Its river heritage is important. It offers a backdrop to fishing this impoundment.

The old channels, along with the debris that collects in them, are home to many of the resident crappie. They tend to relate to these structural markers even when they move shallow in the spring and fall to reproduce and feed. For the really big fish -- giants -- try crankbaits or spinnerbaits around wood. For limits of keeper crappie, go with minnows.

Sharon Harris Lake, also near the center of the state, has a reputation as a fine largemouth bass fishery. That tends to overshadow its qualities as a crappie fishery.

"Sharon Harris is overlooked by a lot of anglers because Jordan and the Falls are better known. But it's a real good crappie lake -- plenty of good-sized fish," Waters said.

Standing, flooded timber and old stumps seem to produce best. Minnows are the bait of choice with most anglers.

Kerr Reservoir -- called Bugg's Island in Virginia -- is, of course, always a top choice, especially for anglers living along the North Carolina-Virginia border. It's massive -- covering some 50,000 acres above the dam on the Roanoke River. Most, if not all, of those 50,000 acres is high-class crappie water.

Nearly every shoreline, tributary and inflow have a few laydowns, stumps, drift and greenery. The crappie are everywhere. Catching 10 to 15 per hour all day long is not impossible in the spring. Now, it's true, they aren't always as big as you might like -- 9 inches is about average -- but still, if you're looking for a mess for supper, this is the place to fish.

As this is being written, there are size and creel restrictions on some of these lakes. They are being reviewed. The 2008 rules will be available by the time you read this. Check before you go fishing. There's a joint licensing agreement on Kerr between North Carolina and Virginia in place at the present time. Check to make sure it's still in effect for 2008.

THE MOUNTAIN REGION
The Mountain Region isn't the best place to crappie fish, but it's not as tough as many anglers believe.

"Generally, crappie fishing in this region is related to location. The higher the elevation and the smaller the body of water, the lower the crappie productivity will be here," said Mallory Martin, NCWRC Mountain Region fisheries supervisor. "As a general rule, the best public waters are to the east."

Lake Hickory in Alexander County and Lake Rhodhiss, located in Burke and Caldwell counties, are two of his top picks.