Ice Fishing

Although the most popular time to fish for crappie in many areas is during their spring spawn, they are easily caught through the ice. In fact, about 75 percent of the catch taken by anglers fishing through the ice with hook and line is black crappie. Finding them could be a problem, but a smart angler will nose around and look for a large congregation of anglers that has found a school. Many areas of structure that are good for fishing during summer months are also good during winter.

Crappies school in a strange fashion, even in winter. They suspend vertically rather than laterally. An angler will usually be fishing under or over them. In winter, since you don't have the mobility you'd like, this is a bonus. Once you've located one crappie, odds are the next few will be easy picking.

The best fishing is usually where water is about ten to 15 feet deep, especially if it is near a drop-off, weedbed, or brush pile. Small minnows are most effective, but small jigs will produce as well. Three-way spreaders have also been used with minnows as bait. Jigging with pearls, small silver and gold spoons, or pork rinds (small pieces) will take fish.

Hand lines or winter fishing rods and reels are all one needs to enjoy a winter day's fishing. No need for big tackle boxes, most tackle can be carried in a coat pocket or small pocket-size portable tackle boxes.

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