When you catch a lot of crappie, you cook a lot of crappie. Fried is my top choice, but baked crappie comes in a close second. I also try to use summer vegetables from the garden whenever I can. This Parmesan Breaded Crappie over summer vegetables recipe is a great way to enjoy fresh fish and seasonal produce together.
Here’s how Mississippi crappie meets Arkansas flavors in a crunchy, flaky, buttery dish.
{The featured recipe was sponsored by Riceland.}
It all starts with the crappie. My husband always jokes that it’s about the fishing, not the catching, but this past Father’s Day weekend proved otherwise. We weren’t talking three or four fish — we literally caught 30 to 40 keeper crappie per day on Sardis Lake in Mississippi, plus some white bass. That was just day one.
My guys wouldn’t have had that success without what I like to call “The Crappie Master.” Matt from Good Times Guide Service makes crappie fishing look effortless.
Gary and Garrett had an amazing time, as you can see from day two.
Garrett wanted to measure every crappie, but Matt knows the keepers. Rules vary by state — a keeper in Arkansas is smaller than a keeper in Mississippi — so if you’re from Arkansas it can be hard to throw back fish you’d normally keep. But Matt knows the limits and gets up with the sunrise to make sure your trip is successful.
This was my husband’s third trip with Matt at Good Times Guide Service, and every time they’ve brought home plenty of crappie. Our freezer is stocked and everyone keeps asking, “When’s the fish fry?”
I asked my husband what he thought about the Father’s Day gift and he said it was hands down the best Father’s Day yet — and that’s saying something after thirteen years of gifts.
With the fish caught and filleted — yes, Matt cleans and fillets — the question becomes how to prepare them. If we aren’t frying, this Parmesan Breaded Crappie over squash and zucchini is my go-to summer dish. It’s lighter than frying but still crisp, flaky, and full of flavor.
If catching pounds of crappie and relaxing in a small town appeals to you, here are a few tips for staying in Sardis, MS. We rented a three-bedroom, two-bath house on VRBO that’s conveniently located near the boat launch. The home was fully equipped for cooking, grilling, and even doing laundry, and the covered deck with rocking chairs was perfect for unwinding.
If lodging isn’t your preference, Sardis Lake has about 200 campsites suitable for tents or campers, with full electric and water hookups.
When you need a break from cooking, try TriBecca Allie Cafe for award-winning wood-fired pizza — some of the best I’ve tasted. For dessert, stop next door at Frog’s Pearl Station for ice cream or another sweet treat.
I teamed up with Riceland to share a gluten-free Parmesan Breaded Crappie recipe that highlights summer garden vegetables. A squeeze of lemon or a dash of hot sauce finishes it nicely — it’s crappie, so it’s going to be tasty whichever way you make it.
