wheres a good place to look for crappies at first ice?

[Tyler23]

any suggestions would be great

[goldenbobby]

i go close to the same spot that i catch them in the fall when they start schooling up in deeper water, first ice i start putting holes in about 10 to 20 feet of water

[Borch]

Basin areas are usually good near dropoffs.

[DAWBSKI]

Deep hole 30' is the depth I target. Look for them to be suspended about 10' of the bottom.

[bgreen82]

the last couple years on the main lake i fish crappies ive been fishing in an area that is about 26 ft deep just away from the dropoff. i fish about 6 or 7 feet off bottom and do well and when they stop biting i move over to the dropoff and go up and down it. ive usually been able to switch back and forth between those areas for about 2-3 hours with decent success.

[bgreen82]

usually fish between 3 and 6 pm.

[Phred52]

Tyler23, Just what goldenbobby said. Always the places they were last fall, is the best place to start. If you weren't there in the fall, watch where the groups are fishing, they're there for a reason. DON'T elbow your way in, fish the 'fringes', watch for technique, lures/colors, bait. Maybe you'll get "called in" and have a chance to fish 'on the spot' just for being respectful of the ones that are already there. GOLDENBOBBY, Where 'bouts are you to Pine River? My cabin is about 6 miles east of there, Hattie. Phred52

[goldenbobby]

Phred52 im just on the edge of town. wednesday im plan to go to reeds and get some arctic armor and then test a lake few miles past the school for crappies i have done real well last year

[Phred52]

Say Safe! Keep us posted. Phred52

[marshmallow]

Where they were staging late fall..Adjacent to weedbeds,mud,submerged cattail islands,drop off at the ledge to deeper water.. If you fish a lake early with minimal structure,then the deeper parts early on..Study a contour lake map and incorperate a strategy/plan.. I like to put a little effort into my early ice outings.. I don't go where everyone else is.. I like it a bit more mysterious aspect about it..3-4lb. test line of your choosing..Play it safe and bring a ice chisel with you if scouting around..If there is minimal snow cover if any,Quiet,Quiet,.. I have a buddy that likes to throw things down on the ice.. I always do well away from him..