Crappie

[7mmfan]

So I recently moved very close to a decent northend crappie lake. I fished this lake as a kid quite a bit and always caught a few, but I'm hoping to dial them in a little better and be able to enjoy this fishery that is so close. I know that as spring progresses, it can be the best time to get into a bunch of big pre-spawn fish. What do you guys that fish them quite a bit look for as far as depth, water temperature, structure, etc... This is a pretty uniform lake totally surrounded with lilly pads and very brushy shoreline, kind of boggish really. Looking forward to getting some input, as lake fishing has never really been my deal.

[wafisherman]

I think I know your lake...  I've fished it a few times.  I do best early morning or late evening (cloudy, light rain, foggy are good too).  I love to fly fish for crappy.  Usually black or white woolly buggers - bead headed (heaver bead or eyes the better) and fish the structure hard.  Use a basic variable retrieve - cast, strip, pause... let that fly kinda jig up and down as you strip it back.

Or with spinning gear, I use my ultra light setup and cast tiny crappie jigs and fish basically the same way.  Cast back into that junk the best you can.  Be ready to lose some gear, but at the same time you'll start to perfect your accuracy.

Sometimes they are right on the surface and you'll see them.  Other times you need to work a bit deeper and slower.  Just keep trying and moving until you start connecting.  I had most of my luck near the south end not far from the boat launch.  They aren't big in general, but can be fun.

[D-Rock425]

I know this lake well fun to take the kids out and play.

[Elkrunner]

Must be a secret lake

[7mmfan]

Trust me, not a secret! I just learned a long time ago to not name names. Pretty much anyone who fishes warm water in Snohomish county knows this lake.

I was just hoping to gain some insight on timing, temperature and how to really find numbers of these things instead of one here one there like I usually accomplish.

When do most of these fish move up shallow to spawn, and do they look for a certain bottom type or depth?

I know water temp makes a difference, any thoughts on ideal temperature?

[ribka]

My experience is 62-66 degrees based on my notes. Usually 3-10 ft of water. Will differ depending on body of water and region in the US but is general guideline.

They like under water brush piles, trees, mouths of creeks, channels, mouths to bays. Anywhere near structure

Spawn also seems to be triggered by full and new moons. Switch jig colors when fishing when bite slows. Sometimes white will work and they will not touch yellow or red. SOmetimes exact opposite. 

I would get out now with a good depth finder and mark structures for upcoming spawn 

[Hermit]

So, my lake ripples with crappie when the sun shines {that's why their called a sunfish}and they ripple the surface mating or chasing each other or whatever. So the county has Ariel photos taken on a sunny day. I can see shadows cast in the sunlight. Looking into the water you can see these vague spots off the points of land and in my pond. Upon close inspection these turn out to be schools of  crappie that caught the sunlight. You'd miss it unless you knew what your looking at.

[pjb3]

I too think I know this lake and have caught the biggest crappie ever out of there and I have fished all over the country

[7mmfan]

Definitely some lunkers in there. I have done well midday under the sun before, but not here. I've always done my best here in the evening, right before dark.