EARLY SEASON CRAPPIES!
There isn’t an angler in the North that’s not looking forward to open water. Well, except for a few hardwater diehards. For myself, spring is one of those magical periods. After ice out the early open water season brings on many bite windows that only last a few weeks in the year. The Black Crappie bobber bite is one of them. The action can be nonstop, making this an excellent time to take the kids out fishing. Mother nature will dictate how long or short the opportunity lasts. Obviously, lake conditions play a huge role. This is also the time when we see those male crappies turn jet black and “tuxedo”.
Transition Period: Pre-spawn to Spawn
In the deep shield lakes, crappies spend their winter cruising around the main basin. As we transition through ice off, more and more crappies start to bunch up in tighter schools. Crappies will start to move from the deeper holes into that mid depth area adjacent to where they will ultimately spawn. The shallow water phenomena starts when the lake temperature hits 55°F. (12 Celsius)
Quite often, we see schools of crappies move back and forth from the mid depths to the spawning areas depending on the weather conditions. Years ago, we were out looking for them one morning in a predictable area. The water temperature was in the upper 50’s with overcast conditions. By the afternoon, the sun came out and the temperature rose a couple of degrees. Jordy and I watched a massive school of slabs drive into the shallows. The bite was ridiculous, and we had a great time watching the floats go down! Typically, in the spring, the afternoons seem to be the most productive; all driven by water temperature.
“The shallow water phenomena starts when the lake temperature hits 55°F”
Spring Locations:
Finding the right combination of structure is key. There needs to be a mixture of hard/soft bottom mixed with either pencil weeds, timber, or new stalky emergent weeds. Areas six foot or less are key. Obviously shallow water heats up quicker than the main lake. It’s good to look for pockets in the back bays that hold the right structure. These areas see optimal sun exposure in the spring. Pay attention to your lake mapping for potential area to check out. Wider than normal contour spacing, with a nice flat, are great areas to start. It can be tricky looking for the right spots that meet the criteria.
Presentation: Equipment & Tackle
A 6’6” to 7’ Light action rod that loads up nicely works best. We normally set our slip float two feet above a 1/16oz jig with a Kalin’s Crappie Scrub (pictured) with a rubber bobber stop. Gaudy colors seem to get the job done. Combinations of chartreuse, green, purple, and pink work well. A 1000 sized spinning reel loaded up with 8lb braid gets the nod with a 6lb fluorocarbon leader.
Any small slip float will work, but it’s important to match the weight of the jig with the bobber. You want most of the float submerged under the water. This method will help keep the presentation in the strike zone longer from any surface disturbance. The best floats are the pencil ones with a tall stem. The 8-inch Gapen’s panfish float is an excellent choice. These style floats can be difficult to find but a standard Thill pro series float will work.
There is no need to impart action to the presentation; soak the bait next to the structure. It’s important to let the float sink below the surface before doing a light sweeping hookset. Take it easy, crappies aren’t called Papermouths for nothing! The drag doesn’t need to be crazy tight. Another option is to fan cast the area with a two-inch Triple Threat grub or a marabou jig on a steady retrieve. Work the jig two to three feet below the surface if there are lots of fish around.
Few Notes on Conservation:
Keep in mind that catch and release is important during the spring spawn. If you do keep a few fish, practice selective harvest. Releasing the larger females keeps the good genes in the pool. A good rule of thumb is to keep the 10–12-inch fish. One thing to take note of is the new slot size regulation in Manitoba. Per the 2023 Anglers Guide, no crappies may exceed 35cm or 13.78 inches. We are fortunate to have many lakes in the province that produce trophy black crappies in the upper 14–16-inch class. Let’s keep it that way.
Manitoba Destinations:
The Whiteshell Provincial Park provides many opportunities to fish for slab crappies. The lakes on the Whiteshell river system are the most popular. Lac du Bonnet, on the Winnipeg River System is becoming a popular destination for these fine fish. Other notable fisheries in the province include Lake Minnewasta and Mary Jane Reservoir.