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Trout, Walleye, and Perch are popular fish to catch while ice fishing. But did you know you also have a great chance to catch crappie?? I am sure you did, if you are an avid fishermen, but if you are a beginning angler, it may be a good source of knowledge for you.
Your geographical location will determine which species of fish is going to be most popular. But one thing is for certain, jigging is the best method to use when ice fishing for crappie and most other species. Before we get started on the where, when and how of crappie ice fishing, lets look at some important things to know and understand about this species.
Fishing For Crappie On The Ice
Some say that crappie should not be able to be caught ice fishing because they are a warm water fish. But is has been shown in the most northern country areas, winter is the best time to snag a crappie.
Often an overlooked winter hang out, vegetation, is not popular with anglers because their lines get snagged. One professional angler rarely goes deeper than 8 feet, but is always looking at large thick areas of forage with his underwater camera. If you are ice fishing for crappie, it isn’t much different than spring or Sumer fishing as far as what time of day is best. Crappie heavily feed between mid-night and 2 in the morning, but before dusk and dawn is a good time as well.
There are a few standard items that you will need when ice fishing for crappie (and other fish):
1. Auger (power) (Here’s a Battery Powered Auger)
2. sled (to haul supplies)
3. chisel
4. bucket (used for bait or caught crappie)
5. sonar (portable)
6. jigging rod with plenty of jigs and other bait
7. a chair or some other kind of seat.
To give yourself the optimum chance of finding and catching crappie under the ice, you should have a minimum of 2 holes approximately 3 feet apart. If you are going to be fishing after dusk/dark make sure you have a lantern with you. Not only does it help you to see, but it gives off enough heat to keep you comfortable.
Check out these Recommended Ice Fishing Boots from Amazon.
Using Sonar While Ice Fishing For Crappie
It is best to keep your sonar in the hole you are fishing in or one that is no more than 1 foot away, making sure you keep a close eye out for fish signals. It is recommended that you use your favorite jig tipped with live bait.
Where do you go to ice fish for crappie? Some suggest going back to where you were catching them during the spring and summer seasons.
We are going to give you the top 5 ice fishing places where you are sure to catch crappie.
- Lake of the woods, Minnesota
- Devils Lake, North Dakota
- Lake Michigan
- Antero Reservoir/Chambers Lake, Colorado
- Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin
“More Honorable Mentions Below”
FishinMoney
Ice Fishing Lake Of The Woods For Crappie
Lake of the Woods, Minnesota: located on the border of Canada, makes it accessible by both the United States and Canada to use for ice fishing. Within the boundaries of the United States it is the second-largest freshwater lake. there are 317,000 acres and 67.73 miles of self-sustaining and healthy water. The maximum depth of Lake of the Woods is 210 feet. When ice fishing you will encounter 14-20 inches of ice. Make sure you check out their ice fishing packages!
Ice Fishing Devils Lake For Crappie
Devils Lake, North Dakota: known as one of the most popular ice fishing spots for many species, including white crappie. Devils Lake is a spot that is better suited for the more experienced anglers. The fish are bigger here, but the weather is beyond bone chilling. Devils Lake is 122,000 acre lake with 300 miles of shoreline. You can usually count on having safe ice in mid-December through March. You can find maps available at most bait shops that you point out locations all over the HUGE lake, to make your crappie trip worth the drive.
Ice Fishing Lake Michigan For Crappie
Lake Michigan: easily reached by many states, it borders Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. There are many places for ice fishermen to stay, in the area and there are tons of amenities available; harbors, bays, and marinas to name a few. The water surface is 22,300 square miles with a length of 307 miles. The average depth of the water in Lake Michigan is 279 feet with the maximum depth reaching 925 feet, and to think; crappie like to stay on the bottom (or close to it). You better bring a lot of fishing line with you.
Ice Fishing Antero Reservoir |Chambers Lake For Crappie
Antero Reservoir/Chambers Lake, Colorado: providing freezing, yet beautiful spots to ice fish for crappie, come to the Rocky Mountains. Both places offer great fishing opportunities and results no matter what species. Another great place in Colorado to ice fish for crappie is Eleven Mile Reservoir. Open 365 days a year, 7 days a week, this reservoir is 3,400 acres. Along with ice fishing for crappies, don’t forget to hit the many ski slopes in Colorado.
Ice Fishing Lake Winnebago For Crappie
Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin: this area offers a variety of fish while on the ice, including crappie. Lake Winnebago is also known for it’s sturgeon-spearing. It is located in east central Wisconsin and is a freshwater lake. The maximum depth is 21 feet, with 137,7000 acres and 215 miles of water and 28.58 miles in length. You have several islands along the west shore that you can stake out and ice fish for crappie.
If you are an avid fisherman who prefers to ice fish for crappie as opposed to spring/summer, then I hope we were able to give you some good information to at least get you started on your journey to ice fish for crappie. As with any other methods of fishing, make sure you know the rules and limits before you carve a hole in the ice. There are general rules across the boat, but certain things to follow for each specific area. Make sure that wherever you decide to go, get all the rules and regulations when you pay for your license. That way there are no misunderstandings or mixed catches while you are on your trip. As always my friends, happy fishing!
Hey FISHMONGER – make sure to check out my FISHING RESOURCES page.
Ice Fishing Kinkaid Lake, Southern Illinois For Crappie
Kincaid lake is located in southern Illinois in Jackson County not far from Murphysboro. You were find sandstone rock formations along with rolling hills. There are many hickory and oak trees in the area and the stumps that are found in the lake are great hiding places for Croppie. If you find them during the warmer months of the year, you may have found a great place to go ice fishing for them in the winter. Keep in mind wherever you are fishing during the warmer months and finding stumps and hiding places for the crappie that those will be good places to go try to find them in the winter. This lake also contains largemouth bass, Muskie, Bluegill, Catfish and Walleye. Lake Kinkaid is known for its large crappie as two pound crappie are caught here every year so don’t hesitate to load up the family and take an outing there. Pets are allowed on leashes and there is also camping spots available.
A great place in nice weather to fish for Crappie is Realfoot, Tennessee
The Crappie here are White Crappie. This lake was formed in the 1800’s by an earthquake and the lake itself is downright loaded with cypress stumps. Hundreds of places for the minnows to hide from the gamefish and so the Crappie will do the same and just patrol around these tree stumps until they find your bait waiting to feed them. It’s a blast.
So enough of talking about where to go, It’s time to make plans and pack up the truck. There are so many places to explore. I suggest picking on off of this list and going out with your family for an adventure. Don’t forget to follow normal safety practices and all of the fishing regulations as well. You’ll have a blast and make sure to send me your crappie photos.
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