Where to look for crappies after ice out?

[Marbleye'd]

Anyone know where they go? I've caught them in he shallows right after the lily pads come up, but never before then. It is a blast to cast next to the edge of the weeds and the lily pads all start to move.

[Bottle Fish]

My only advice for ice out and crappies is shallow. A local lake in my area is great for ice off crappies in shallow water. Where the weeds are and pads grow is a good place to start your search. The lake I fish they are only in for 1-2 weeks and gone though, so as soon as you can get a boat in the better. Timing is everything. Good luck.

You may not even need a boat if they are close enough from shore.

[Marbleye'd]

As much as I hate to see the end of ice fishing for the year. Open water getting the boat out and warm weather isn't sounding too bad.

[carpmanjake]

Anyone know where they go? I've caught them in he shallows right after the lily pads come up, but never before then. It is a blast to cast next to the edge of the weeds and the lily pads all start to move.

try small lagoons and backwater areas. those will often warm up first. marinas would also be a good bet. anywhere with a dark bottom will be the first to warm up and the crappies will be there shortly afterward

[FishinChad]

Right after ice out they will usually be in deeper water right outside of where they will move into when the water warms, on sunny days they will start to move in shallow during the day and then back out at night, if its cloudy they may not move in at all that day. Usually takes a week or 2 until you can consistantly find them shallow, after the water gets warm enough. Try early and late ice fishing locations right after the ice goes out, can usually find them suspended somewhere and you can actually fish them the same as if you were on ice still, right over the side of the boat sometimes!

[Marbleye'd]

Right after ice out they will usually be in deeper water right outside of where they will move into when the water warms, on sunny days they will start to move in shallow during the day and then back out at night, if its cloudy they may not move in at all that day. Usually takes a week or 2 until you can consistantly find them shallow, after the water gets warm enough. Try early and late ice fishing locations right after the ice goes out, can usually find them suspended somewhere and you can actually fish them the same as if you were on ice still, right over the side of the boat sometimes!

That's what I was looking for. I have my spots to go to WHEN they are in the shallows. I just haven't found them before then. I will be this year though.

[hoggs222]

Doesn't the North end of the lakes usually warm up quicker?

[Marbleye'd]

Doesn't the North end of the lakes usually warm up quicker?

I thought I heard that too. Because of the north winds I think. I'll say yes.

[Bottle Fish]

The North gets more sun.

[LMITOUT]

The north end gets more sun and therefore the runoff starts on the north side of the lakes. More oxygen in the water typically draws more fish.

[Bottle Fish]

Yeah what the Irish guy said. Its St. Pattys I'm not all there right now.

That is what I meant to say. Really.

[carpmanjake]

yes the north side warms quicker. and you will find alot of fish staging outside the spawning areas.

but i always fish bays lagoons and marinas instead of staging areas because the fish fish to go into those areas are generally bigger fish