How do crappies move around a lake?

[TyGuy02]

I know that not every lake is the same, and I'm not trying to get any free advice on fish that I should be doing on my own, but I'm going to ask the age old question.

Do I want to be set up where the fish are moving through, or where they go to?

Right now I have my wheelhouse on an area lake and I've picked up on where the crappies seem to be moving. I've been having pretty good luck where I'm at now, but only for an hour or so, then it's dead. I know the other houses to my east are also dead because everyone leaves WELL before I'm still catching fish. There's really no one to my west on the lake (where there's a deep hole in a bay).

Would the crappies be moving from the main lake in the day to the deep bay at night, then back to the main part of the lake in the AM? Would I be stupid to go to where they stay at night if I'm going night fishing?

Also, if this helps, my flasher goes NUTS once the crappies have already moved through! TONS of small baitfish or very small crappies. I guess I really don't know if that's a good thing or something to stay away from since if a fish does come through there's plenty of other baits.

I just wanted to get some other guys' opinions on this one. I've been out 20+ times, but would just like to have a little luck while a few buddies and I enjoy a beer or two

[minnbowhunter]

I can tell you what I try and do, but everyone thinks differently. I try to find a shelf close to deeper water. I set up in the transition area, the active fish seem to relate to the level of the shelf. For example, there is a lake that I fish that has a 15ft shelf and a steep dropoff to 28 ft. I will set up in the transition, 22 ft or so. The active fish will be suspended at 15 ft. I will see fish on the bottom but they are less agressive. I know other guys try and chase the school, but after setting up the house, I get lazy and wait for the fish to find me.

[Jim Uran]

I try to stay off the drop itself, I try to focus on either of the pivot points.

I believe crappies do two things during the day, some of them wait it out on the bottom in the basin and then move in at the twilight times, and some wait in the weeds and move out over deeper water during prime times.

The weed fish will be easier to find during the day, not easy but easier. Check for irregularities in the weedbeds like pockets or weededges and fish them with small jigs and plastics. Stealth is important while fishing over shallow water of course so tread lightly. During twilight hours they'll slide out of their cover and feed actively either at the top of the drop or suspend over deep water.

The deep day time bite can be a tough one, I've found them in the bottom of the basin a time or two but it's hardly worth the effort, well my effort anyways. I like to wait until the fish get active and move up and suspend and eat on whatever they are eating.

Those are just my opinions and findings over the years on the ice. If I really knew what they were doing at this moment I'd be out there catching them

[Jim Uran]

I forgot to add that the bite on the pivot points are usually more bottom oriented and occur at dusk or dawn, and really can last all night. In these areas I fish the bottom 2-3 feet of the water column with the best luck.

[TyGuy02]

some great info, I think what I'm going to do is set-up the wheelhouse in the deep basin of the bay and bring the portable if I'm going to fish during the day.

Hey leechbait, you ever fish a lake between elbow and bad med, closest to the long lost lake road on the north-side of the road? I know the lake level went up a ton, we sold our cabin on that lake right when it started going up. I know it used to be pretty good. I know the name but I don't always like saying it.

[Big Buck Buster]

I believe that they move around the lake by swimming!

[Northlander]

I knew some one would say that.

[Jim Uran]

some great info, I think what I'm going to do is set-up the wheelhouse in the deep basin of the bay and bring the portable if I'm going to fish during the day.

Hey leechbait, you ever fish a lake between elbow and bad med, closest to the long lost lake road on the north-side of the road? I know the lake level went up a ton, we sold our cabin on that lake right when it started going up. I know it used to be pretty good. I know the name but I don't always like saying it.

haven't fished it for a while.