Photo by Gerald Pabst.

Spring crappie fishing in Illinois is great. The world is turning that delightful shade of pale green, redwinged black birds are flitting about the water’s edge, the sun is warm and the fishing is easy. You don’t need to be out before dawn and if you hit it right, you won’t have to be on the water all day, either.

We are going to look at some crappie-fishing spots not normally seen on everyone’s radar. These are public waters, close to home, that can provide a day’s enjoyment and probably put a platter full of crispy fillets on your table. However, there are some things you should know about the crappie’s spawning process that will enhance your chance for success.

Most anglers assume water temperature is the key to the onset of the crappie-spawning period. Although it is important, even more important is the length of time daylight is available, scientifically termed the photoperiod. In North America, crappies do not commence their spawning effort until early April, when the days lengthen. Once the photoperiod reaches the proper length, the fish are ready to do their thing, but then two other factors enter the equation. (Continued)

Water temperatures must rise to the mid-50s. This is the reason crappies begin spawning earlier in southern climates than they do in the north, but bear in mind, none of them will begin spawning before they sense the proper amount of daylight. The third factor influencing crappie spawning is water clarity. The fish shun cloudy, muddy water. To test for proper clarity, you can use what biologists call a secchi disc. This is nothing more than a one-foot diameter white plate tied on a line. Lower the disc into the water, flat side up, and if you can still see it one foot beneath the surface, you are in business. The crappies will continue their spawning effort until they get the job done. They will move on and off the nests, after the proper photoperiod arrives, motivated by fluctuations in water temperature and water clarity. Given steady, warm weather, the spawn may be over by mid-May, but in spring when constant cold fronts disturb the nesting effort, the fish could be on the beds until mid-June.

The spawning process is similar to bass or bluegills. The male crappies, usually smaller fish, move into spawning areas in early April to claim nesting sites and prepare the beds. These sites will be located in 4 to 6 feet of water, usually in protected coves and arms of the lake. The north end of the lake receives the most spring sun, so begin your search there.

Remember, just because you are fishing for crappies doesn’t mean you won’t find yourself tangling with a walleye, catfish or hybrid striper, too. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?

Crappies love structure and will always be found nesting around stumps, logs, rocky bottoms and old weedbeds. Work these likely spots carefully and slowly. Fish in cold water aren’t going to react much differently than they did under ice. Small lures are mandatory, and live bait is best at this time of the season.

If you locate the crappies, but the fish you catch are on the small side, the chances are spawning conditions are not right for one reason or another and only the males are on the beds. Don’t despair, because the larger females are not far away. They have simply moved into deeper water, nearby, to wait for things to improve. Many times, it takes nothing more than for you to turn around and drop your bait into slightly deeper water on the other side of your boat. You should find the big girls lurking in 8 to 10 feet of water and hitting the same baits as their boy friends.

My experience has been that early crappies like meat and nothing but meat. Fish small minnows under a slip-bobber and let them soak next to wood, rocks or weeds. Don’t try to rush things. As the spawn progresses and the water warms, you may use a small jig-and-minnow presentation about 18 inches under a slip-bobber. Adjust the depth under the bobber as needed. Plunk that combo near any available cover and very slowly nudge it back by reeling a bit, pausing and then reeling a little more. When things really heat up, you can substitute a small twistertail or strip of black pork rind for the minnow.