Insider Tips to the Best Time for Crappie Fishing

Fishing is such an integral activity in our family. Not only is it relaxing, but it’s also thrilling to be able to land the BIG ONE and exaggerate your catch to the anglers around you. But, there are days where no matter what you throw, nothing happens, not even a bite from the smallest of fish. Even after changing your lure, rod and spots a half dozen times. Most successful anglers familiar with various tactics and techniques know when to play and when to take the day to clean their reels or dust off their prized trophy fish from 20 years ago. Knowing what resources are needed is half the battle. The other… BEHAVIOUR – not yours, the fish’s! For example, spawning cycle, habitat, feeding and environment all play a role in how successful your fishing trip will be. Once you understand a crappie’s behaviour, you’ll then be able to gauge what the best time for crappie fishing is.

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This post is designed to help you understand the Crappie fish species, and give you some insights as to where you can fish for them, what tackle and technique to use, and for the beginner angler, what gear you need to fish for Crappie.

How Crappie Behave

Seasoned Crappie anglers know that crappie fishing is one of the most exhilarating experiences. Whether large or small, these fish are feisty. It is one of the reasons that children, including my own, love fishing for these tasty fish. There is nothing sweeter than watching my son and his pro fishing buddy getting ready and counting down to the bite.

Crappie are known to be highly active during specific periods, which vary depending on the time of year and environmental factors. This species also love structures such as stumps, fallen trees, rocky areas, stake beds, weed lines, submerged vegetation, woody cover and shorelines.

Spring

Early spring, when the water reaches the high 50s, the crappie follow bait fish towards shallower water to feed and spawn. During the spring spawn, the crappie move into schools and spawn in beds 2 to 8 feet deep over sand or gravel bottoms. This becomes an excellent time to target them. As the water temperature rises, they become more aggressive as they search for food. 

Summer

Once into the summer months, crappie are more spread out in open water and tend to move to deeper, cooler waters to escape the heat. They also become less energetic during the day and more active during the early morning and late evening hours.

Fall

During the fall, fishing crappie is similar to spring fishing. Big schools of crappie start to move back towards shallower waters in preparation for winter. As the water temperature drops, they become aggressive. Their feeding activity increases, making this another great time to target them. It’s also the time of year when you can expect to catch larger crappie in 6 to 14 ft of water.

Winter

As in the summer, during the winter, the crappie are also more spread out and found in deeper water of 10 to 35 feet. In these months, they are not aggressively searching for food.

What Affects Crappie Activity

As with any fish, environmental factors play a huge role in how the crappie respond to your bait.

The Best Time of Day to Fish for Crappie

Technically, you can fish for crappie whenever you want to. I just can’t guarantee that you will be successful. Both weather and time of year will determine what the best time of day to fish for crappie is. 

For the most part, crappie are more active and actively feeding early morning and late evening, which are considered prime times for crappie fishing. This is usually a two-hour window. In the summer, there is an active night fishing time as well. The low light conditions make these fish more comfortable and less wary, increasing your chances of success. The cooler temperatures also contribute to their activity level and willingness to bite.

Another good time to fish for crappie is during overcast or cloudy days. The reduced sunlight makes crappies feel more secure and encourages them to venture out of their hiding spots. They are also more likely to be found near structures, good cover or in shallower waters.

On the other hand, bright and sunny days can make crappies more skittish and less likely to bite. If you find yourself fishing during these conditions, try targeting shaded areas or deeper waters where crappie might seek relief from the heat.

It’s also worth noting that crappie tend to feed more actively during periods of low barometric pressure, which often occurs before a storm or change in weather conditions. The chop of the water also helps with their activity level.

Moon phases also play an important role to a crappie’s bite. I find, that fishing when the moon is new or full works like magic. Just be careful of rocky lakes under no moon!

Best Locations for Crappie Fishing

Every body of water is different, and it’s only with practice that you will begin to recognize the signs of finding the best locations for crappie fishing. For instance, I love largemouth bass and walleye fishing more than crappie, and as I fish our favourite spots, just before the sun starts to set, you can start to see rings and ripples appear on the water’s surface. That there is a sign that the crappie are actively feeding. As you watch the ripples, over time you see that they move in a certain direction and pace. Keep coming back to that location for the next few days, and if the activity level is the same, congratulations, you’ve found yourself a crappie hotspot! 

While you are learning to recognize the signs, start your search for crappie at the mouth of a bay or near the creek channel. 

If you are fishing in Ontario, Black Crappie can be found throughout the southern part of Ontario as well as parts of Northern Ontario, where the water is clear, warm and with lots of vegetation. 

White crappie, on the other hand, are typically found in weedy, sheltered bays in Southern Ontario. In the US, they are pretty much everywhere.

Techniques for Catching Crappie

With the right fishing gear, you will need to learn and master some different tactics for catching crappie. These are some techniques that have proven to be effective and can help you catch crappie on your next fishing trip.

Seasonal Techniques

I find that the best fishing for crappie is when the water temperature is between 65 – 72°F. Also, the month of April, June and early fall are a favourite time for catching crappie. Most crappie anglers will target these fish at depths of 4 to 14 feet of water.

Winter Crappie

Since they are not aggressively searching for food, the most effective way to catch them in the winter is to use a slow vertical jigging technique with a live minnow. You will have to let the bait hang for a little longer to entice the crappie to make a play for it.

Summer Crappie

In the summer, when the crappies are more spread out, trolling with a crankbait is your best bet to finding them, or if you have a fish finder, look for 10 to 35-foot water columns and throw a jig into it.

Crappie Fishing Regulations and Limits in Ontario

I can only speak to Ontario, where crappie fishing is open all year. Keep in mind that your possession limits will vary based on the type of fishing license that you have. For Sport Fishing license holders, your possession limit is 30. For those with a Conservation license, your limit is 10.

If you live outside Ontario, please check with your local fishing authorities, province or state, as your regulations or restrictions may differ.

Essential Gear for Crappie Fishing

If you are new to crappie fishing and would like to try your hand, the gear you require is minimal and does not need to be expensive. The only thing to remember is to keep your gear ultralight! Crappies have small mouths and are small in size unless you catch yourself a monster crappie. Here is a list of essential gear for fishing crappies.

1. Fishing Rod and Reel: Choose a lightweight spinning rod and reel. The rod tip should be sensitive enough to detect subtle bites but also have enough backbone to handle larger crappies. A 7 – 8 foot, medium-fast action rod with a 500 to 1000 reel size is ideal.
2. Fishing Line: Opt for a lightweight fluorocarbon or monofilament line with a test strength between 4 – 8 pounds.
3. Hooks and Bobbers: Use a #4 or #6 fishing hook to accommodate the small mouths of crappies. For beginners, I suggest attaching a small bobber to help detect bites and keep your bait at the desired depth.
4. Lures and Baits: Light tackle is best used for fishing crappies. Opt for small jigs, panfish baits, soft plastic baits, spinners, and live minnows or worms. Experiment with different colours and sizes to see what the crappies are biting on in your area. For us, we use a 1/16 oz yellow or white ball head crappie jig with a white or yellow tail.
5. Tackle Box: Invest in a tackle box like the Plano Edge Micro to keep your gear organized and easily accessible. It’s also a good idea to include a variety of jigs, soft plastics, hooks, and weights to cover different fishing scenarios and for quick replacement should you lose a hook to cover or a soft plastic to the crappie.
6. Polarized Sunglasses: Although not a necessity, polarized sunglasses do help reduce glare and allow you to see beneath the water’s surface, making it easier to spot submerged structures or schools of crappie.

Crappie Fishing Charters in Ontario

If you’re dreaming of reeling in a monster crappie, consider hiring an expert crappie guide to show you the ropes. Whether you’re a beginner angler or a seasoned pro, Bobby Belmonte from 2B Fishing offers the perfect experience in the Peterborough area, just 2 hours northeast of Toronto. You’ll be casting into the waters of the Kawartha Lakes and learning new techniques to enhance your fishing game. 

Bobby has over 15 years of experience and offers flexible scheduling options. Don’t worry about bringing your gear, as 2B Fishing will provide the rods and tackle! All you have to bring is yourself, maybe a buddy and your license and be prepared to be led into the biggest catches of your life! Click here to book your outing.

Final Thoughts on Crappie Fishing Times

As with any fish, paying attention to environmental changes, adjusting techniques and adapting quickly will yield a successful fishing experience. With plenty of patience and practice, you will also learn how to recognize when the crappie are actively feeding and what the best time for crappie fishing in your area is. And, once you learn to locate the school and implement the techniques correctly, you can expect to catch a good number of fish fairly quickly. It’s one of the main reasons that make crappie fishing such an exciting sport. When the bite is on, it’s truly on!

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