In stark contrast to last spring’s record-breaking warmth, this spring has followed a more typical weather pattern.
What little ice remained on area lakes disappeared with the warm southerly breezes of the past couple days ushering in some of the best crappie fishing of the year in southeast Michigan.
Immediately after ice-out massive schools of crappie seek out small bays, marina basins, canal systems, creeks and sheltered northern shorelines in search of small minnows and invertebrates drawn by water that can be as much as 10 – 15 degrees warmer than the main lake. These warm water locations exist on waterways from the Great Lakes to small ponds – anywhere strong populations of large crappie are known to roam.
Although these areas are found on lakes of all types and sizes, differences in the characteristics of individual bodies of water – depth, water clarity and lake size – mean not all lakes peak at the same time. Building a portfolio of different spots and setting up a milk run increases the odds that at least one spot will produce.
Early spring crappies are generally aggressive and you will usually know quickly if active fish are present. Even so, it pays to have a couple different offerings rigged up and ready to go just in case the fish show a preference for a certain color, speed or action.
Fishing for early spring crappie doesn’t require a huge investment in expensive tackle or boat to be successful.
Small jig and plastic combinations suspended below a float are always a good choice and should be part of every angler’s arsenal. Experiment with different jig and trailer colors, styles, weights and retrieves to determine the best patterns for each body of water. The advantage of a float is that it allows you precise depth and speed control.
Sometimes though, ditching the float is the best option – especially when fish are active. The same jigs used under a float work well when cast and retrieved slowly and steadily.
And of course, the tried and true lively shiner suspended below a float is almost always productive and can be used in combination with a casting presentation.
There are easily hundreds of great crappie waters within a short drive of metropolitan Detroit but the window of opportunity is fairly short, lasting only a couple of weeks.
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