Page 8 - Crappie NOW - March 2018
P. 8
Story & photos by Darl Black
Ice-Out Crappie Locations: Think
Across the Northeast and Lower shallow, protected pockets of water with
Great Lakes states, March usually comes dark bottom material which absorb the
in like an old winter lion with moderately sun’s heat, thereby warming the immediate
cold temperatures, dirty snow sticking to water more rapidly than other shallow
the ground and a slight softening of the ice areas. Water depth in the best areas
pack on lakes. If we are lucky, March goes is typically no deeper than three to four
out leaving a brown landscape and rapidly feet. Check out small bays with entrances
warming open water. If not so lucky, ice protected from prevailing winds, as well
may linger into the first week of April. You as swampy backwaters, cottage-lined
just never know from one year to the next! canals and corners of walled-in marinas.
When weather conditions come Possible cover includes decayed pad
together properly, there is an incredible beds, deadfalls, submerged shoreline
active shallow water black crappie bite brush, beaver lodges, dock posts, and the
on certain lakes sometime between mid- list goes on. Warming water kick starts
March and early April. However, blink the growth of zooplankton which attracts
and you miss it. When the black-bottom minnows. Minnows in turn attract crappies.
shallows get the first shot of steadily
warming water, the bite is measured in
days – not weeks – so go fish!
Although some locals refer to this Get the gear ready. The time to
bite as a spawning run, the appearance start crappie fishing up north is
of crappies in the shallows has absolutely almost here.
nothing to do with reproduction but
everything to do with feeding.
It’s difficult for an individual living
in warmer climate areas to get their mind Presentation: Hands down, the best
around the angler anticipation surrounding bait is a small to medium size minnow
the first crappie bite of a new season in below a slip bobber. Years ago, Emerald
the land of ice and snow. Shiners were the preferred early season
Northern crappie anglers begin bait of crappie anglers in our region.
whispering about the ice-out bite However, almost all Emerald Shiners sold
immediately after Christmas (but not too in area bait shops came from the Great
loud if ice fishermen are around). Then Lakes. But since the appearance of Viral
after Ground Hog Day anglers begin talking Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in Great
loudly about it. You would think with all this Lakes’ Emerald Shiners, the sale of this
discussion about the First Bite, everyone bait is now prohibited outside of the Great
would be completely prepared. Well… Lakes drainage.
talking does not always lead to planning. Small fatheads have become the
But that’s why I’m here with some choice for early spring on inland lakes –
great tips on the first open-water crappie particularly Rosey Reds if you able to find
bite of the new fishing season! them at your bait shop. Rosey Reds are a
8 Crappie NOW March 2018
