Backcountry slabs love hanging near flooded timber and cypress trees, especially those with lots of knees and overhanging branches. (Photo by Keith Sutton)
May 02, 2024
By Keith Sutton
Anglers who enjoy the pursuit of panfish often go to great lengths to access prime fishing waters. Take my uncles, for example. When I was a teenager, they often invited me to join them for backcountry excursions to small lakes and streams rarely visited by other people.
Most of these remote waters were a mile or more away from the nearest access roads. To reach and fish them, we strapped a set of specially made wheels beneath the stern of a small wooden johnboat and then used brute strength to pull the craft through the woodlands from the truck to the lake. This often took two to three hours to accomplish, but none of our crew complained. We knew these secluded waters were teeming with good-eating panfish, including bluegills, crappies, redear sunfish, warmouths, yellow bass, longears and bullheads. And we knew we were likely to take home plenty of fish for our next fish fry.
If you enjoy panfishing and outdoor adventure, consider planning your own fishing trip to the back of beyond this spring or summer.
Tiny floating crankbaits work great for panfish in small streams and lakes. (Photo by Keith Sutton) FINDING BACKCOUNTRY BLISS When we went fishing in those days gone by, we relied on knowledge passed down from our elders to find good panfishing opportunities in the backcountry. Today, you can track down hot spots through internet searches and by establishing contacts within state wildlife agencies devoted to fisheries.
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Your search should focus on public lands that encompass enough acreage to hide lakes or streams difficult to access by truck or car. National forests often fit the bill, especially those surrounding federally designated wilderness areas. National wildlife refuges, national parks and wildlife management areas often have the right characteristics for backcountry fishing as well.
Once you’ve identified such spots within your travel range, visit the properties’ websites to determine if there are bodies of water that harbor various species of panfish you can target. You can also go old-school and use topographic maps to find remote waters, then follow up with a phone call or email to personnel at the agency in charge.
They often can share facts about local fisheries and provide maps or other information that will help you reach the place you’ve chosen to fish. They also are good sources of information about the types of terrain you might encounter, special permits you might need and other important safety considerations.
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Discussions with fishing friends might also turn up back-forty ponds on private lands that are remote enough you can find some solitude and experience excellent panfishing. These frequently provide excellent opportunities for catching big bluegills, crappies and other panfish.
Of course, once you pin down these spots, you still have to get there. You might have to hike to some spots, in which case you may want to carry a belly boat (float tube) or lightweight waders that can help you access to prime panfishing areas you can’t conveniently reach from shore. However, don’t overlook waters that are accessible by ATV, canoe, kayak, johnboat, horseback or other means. Use of a GPS and maps can keep you on the right track, but always ensure someone knows where you are going and when you expect to return in case of emergency.
An inflatable belly boat (aka float tube) can help you reach otherwise inaccessible areas when prowling for panfish in the backcountry. (Photo by Keith Sutton) FISHING TIPS Methods for catching panfish are pretty much the same if you’re on a backcountry lake or a busy urban reservoir. However, these tips might help increase your catch in the hinterlands.
Bluegills and Other Sunfish One- to 2-inch topwater plugs resembling natural bream forage such as grasshoppers, small crayfish and tiny shad are excellent for catching bluegills and other sunfish around the lily pads in many backcountry lakes. Cast the plug to an opening in or beside the pads, then let it sit, with just an occasional twitch to ripple the water’s surface. A hungry sunfish, if one is nearby, will soon strike.
Clear, rocky, backcountry streams also harbor lots of bream, including bluegills, green sunfish and redbreast sunfish, as well as rock bass. Rebel’s Teeny Wee Crawfish is an ideal lure for catching them because small crayfish often comprise much of their diet, and this lure can be cast from a distance so that the angler doesn’t spook his quarry in the clear water. Cast upstream or quartering upstream to fallen trees, boulders, brush piles and ledges adjacent to deep water; under overhangs, root wads and logs along the banks; and any place the water drops into a pool or run. The best spots are in or near long, deep pools, so when you encounter a big hole or long stretch of deeper water, work it carefully. Drop successive casts about a foot apart, covering a variety of depths until you nab a hungry sunny.
Crappies The biggest, wariest crappies often hide in shallow-water areas inaccessible by boat or via the shoreline, especially in backcountry lakes with lots of flooded timber and cypress trees. To catch them, put on chest waders and move quietly through shallow, brushy backwaters. Then, use a long pole to place a jig in front of feeding fish or a light spinning outfit to cast a spinner or small crankbait their way. Watch closely for swirls that give away actively feeding fish.
If you’re fishing an oxbow or bayou where there are lots of look-alike cypress trees, remember that some trees attract more crappies than others. You should focus on the biggest trees, those with lots of knees around them and long limbs overhanging the water. These typically produce more fish than smaller trees with fewer knees and branches. Fish slowly and thoroughly around each tree with your favorite lures or bait and be ready to set the hook.
Also, be sure to fish around underwater knees away from the trees as these often hold big slabs. Once you’ve caught a few fish you should notice a distinct pattern, and you can fish exactly where crappies are holding that day.
Warmouths If you want to catch more of these pugnacious panfish, use a jigging pole to place a jig or live worm inside every hollow cypress tree and stump you see. “Goggle eyes” use dark cavities as hiding places, darting out to grab passing forage animals.
Ultralight crankbaits are also great warmouth catchers. Use 1/12- to 1/8-ounce crayfish or minnow imitations fished with 2- to 6-pound-test line on an ultralight spinning or spincast combo. Cast around cypress knees, weed-bed edges, stumps and other cover, and get ready for a fun skirmish with these plucky, big-mouthed fish.
Bullheads You’ll encounter more of these little catfish if you bottom-fish at night. I catch most with red hooks, and I like to scratch through leaves on the forest floor to find the nightcrawler baits they relish. Some hot dog chunks soaked in minced garlic and strawberry Kool-Aid will also garner bites.
Yellow Bass These little relatives of white bass and stripers often reach superabundance in backcountry lakes. They’re scrappy and fun to catch on ultralight tackle, and their fillets are delicious. Use active lures like Blakemore Road Runners or small crankbaits to catch them.
GET OUT THERE Backcountry panfishing offers a unique, immersive experience that allows anglers to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the natural world. By traveling light and embracing the simplicity of remote areas, anglers can fully appreciate the aesthetics of their surroundings and create lasting memories in some of America’s most breathtaking landscapes. So grab your gear, head into the wilderness and let the adventure begin. A backcountry panfishing trip is a fun experience you’ll not soon forget.
For backcountry panfish, avoid overpacking by carrying just a small tackle box with weights, floats, hooks and other essential items. (Photo by Keith Sutton) PACK LIGHT Scale back your gear to make the most of off-the-grid panfish adventures. One of the greatest appeals of backcountry panfishing is the opportunity to travel light, unburdened by the trappings of modern life. Embracing simplicity allows anglers to immerse themselves fully in natural surroundings, fostering a deeper connection with the environment. Accessing these areas can be as easy as you make it, but here are some essential tips for traveling light on your backcountry panfishing adventure.
Go Minimalist Choose compact, versatile fishing gear that suits your specific panfishing needs. A collapsible light or ultralight rod-and-reel combo is ideal.
Get Organized Pack only the essentials to streamline tackle selection. A small, well-organized tackle box with a variety of terminal tackle and small lures covers a range of fishing conditions, ensuring you’re prepared for any situation. Should you choose to use them, live baits such as worms, grasshoppers and small crayfish can often be caught on-site and kept in a container you’ve brought along for that purpose.
Be Equipped Bring tools that serve multiple functions, such as a fishing multi-tool with built-in pliers, scissors and hook remover. This helps minimize the number of items you must carry.
Bring Shelter If you’re extending your stay overnight or for several nights, opt for lightweight camping equipment that strikes a balance between durability and weight. A compact tent, lightweight sleeping bag and portable cooking gear allow you to set up camp quickly and comfortably.
Leave No Trace Adhere to “leave no trace” principles on all your excursions. Pack out everything you bring in, dispose of waste properly and avoid disturbing wildlife and vegetation.
This article was featured in the April 2024 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Subscribe now .
