Where do they go?

[Neiko]

We can catch the crappies in the fall at around 15-20 FOW just out from the weeds but come ice season they are not around. The lake is a 700+acre lake that has lake trout so it is a deep lake with not much for weeds around it. all the way around the lake it is 30ft+ deep and you aren't that far from shore. I am heading up this weekend to try some spearing in 10-15ft to see if I can see them in the weeds or maybe some panfish. The lake is really clear. Does anyone know anything about crappie patterns in the winter? Kind of new to trying for crappies. Thanks

[brian6715]

I fish a lake that sounds EXACTLY like this! It's rather deep (60 ft), crystal clear, and the weedline stops at about 14-16 ft. The lake is small. I catch crappies all summer on the edge of the weeds out to about 20 ft.

I can't catch crappies at all during the winter, at least during the daylight hours. However, I have done really well at around 7 pm set up in about 24 ft of water. There will be nothing going all day, and then about an hour after sunset they swim by and I catch them for about 45 mins. It can be as fast as you can get your line down, and they are nice fish that are extremely aggressive. I don't know if I am catching them as they are going into the weeds or coming out of the weeds. The greatest part is everyone who fishes this lake leaves at sunset, and I am sure they don't even know how awesome of a crappie fishery it is. I have never seen anyone on the water once the bite starts.

I'm not saying this is the only answer, but it might be something to look into!

[Neiko]

So you are deeper when you catch them? Have you tried setting up on the weed edge at dark? I will take any answer I can get as I am stumped.

[FBMH]

They probably sit in the weeds all day to escape what sounds like a good pike population. Come dark, the northerns will be moving their way to the weeds, which will in turn push the pies out deeper after sunset hours. We fish this pattern up north during the winter in lakes in the boundary waters.

[Neiko]

That was the theory I was thinking and that is why I figured I would try spearing in shallow.

[FBMH]

You should be able to get onto some good northerns. If you fish after dark, use deadsticks or bobber plain hook combo. Crappies have an easier time eating bait in the dark thats sitting still rather than moving. Ive also tried jigging, and the deadstick or bobber beat me 6:1

[Jim Uran]

Is there any other structure on the lake? Or is it just a big bowl?

[chicksdigme]

I'm having similar issues trying to figure out crappies on my favorite lake. Up until about 8 years ago the day bite in the 40' basin was proven to be effective with dead sticks and minnows. Now the deep basin of the lake holds what we like to call the decoy school during the day. They look great on the vexilar stacked up, but they are inactive. Towards evening you can follow that school into about 24' fow and they turn aggressive as they are moving in. I haven't tried fishing these fish after sunset, but on my next trip I hope to give it a whirl. I wonder if they will hang tight at 24' or push up into the weedline?