Crappie, Chores done

Got all my stuff done did not think I would have time to fish. Just got back cold out now. Crappie started just before dark. Caught 23 fish between 10 inches and 14 inches. Kept these four now watch the leaf game on pvr. Then working nights all week. No more fishing for me...four days...then sleep then maybe can fish a nice long daynight combination.

You're having a great year...crappies and the Leafs are doing well too.
I have to try to get out to a couple of spots in the Kawarthas where I have caught crappie before to see if they are there (about 2 hr drive). I haven't fished at those spots in a few years because usually I am not in the country at this time of the year but COVID has changed that last year and this year (wasn't able to get out last year for a variety of reasons but hopefully, I can get out there once or twice before they are actually spawning).

They will not be in spawn on balsam or the other lakes yet. You have 3 weeks before that happens. I wish I was going there with you. This week should be great fishing. Good luck stay safe.

Great haul, again! Congrats!
Very nice slabs

I should try some Kawartha spots for crappies as well as I think with warmer and stable weather more fish will move shallow and it will be easier to locate them.

if I am not mistaken, crappie spawning is in around mid May in normal year when the temps reach around 15-17C, i.e. way after perch spawning

I agree with you on those temps. You are correct. And a bit warmer depending on how deep they build their nest.The experts say 20 to 22 BUT what do experts know. I Have fished the same five spots for crappie for over a decade. Every year is the same. Ice out...water level comes up a bit...a good rain...that equals crappie. Then while I am fishing I can see when the pumpkinseed and sunfish and bluegill and crappie start to swim on their sides and begin to build nests to spawn. I have said this a few times I do not check water temps as a rule. I watch the birds, bugs, crayfish, minnows and each species of fish itself.

nice haul


I agree with you. rain fires up most fishing

crappeeeman, you rock, as always
Personally, I tried few new lakes this weekend (from shore). Water levels were low, zero fish was caught

Great as usual. Thanks for the report.

I tried again on Sunday. Caught 15-20 crappie, but all except one were babies and a similar number of bluegill/pumpkin. Some sunfish were of good size. Hopefully the lake I try just lags yours and next time crappie will be bigger

After 22 years you would think I could read my schedule. Do not work until tonight so went fishing yesterday. Fished from 5pm until 5am saw about 100 catfish swimming around the shoreline. I caught this crappie just one in 12 hours. You never know what mother nature serves up on the fish menu. Great night to fish wildlife was active. Check out this monster crappie. I thought I might need a net.

It's one of those fishing days which you have to experience in order to appreciate the good ones.

YUP. Still great night to be out. Always great comments from all you guys. Thanks. Stay safe. Fishing season is here.

Congrats again on the nice fish.

Huh, three weeks still eh? Here I was panicking to get the boat out! A buddy of mine's brother was catching slabs from shore in shallow this past week, so I thought the spawn had started early or something, but I guess that's wishful thinking.

The first couple times out it was just pike. Since then a few good days and nights of crappie. Once they start to spawn I leave them alone for a few weeks. You should get your boat out soon while the fishing is still good. My friend on another lake has done very well in the past week. But today he said all he caught was bluegill, sunfish and pumpkinseed. The crappie just might be headed back to 15 or 20 feet deep in the kawarthas. That would depend on what lake you are fishing. My next crappie adventure will be balsam the crappie should be hungry there starting tomorrow. I will not get there until saturday, too much work. Good luck. Stay safe.

Thanks for the thorough advice! Just gotta rewire the trailer and I'll be good to go.
So if they aren't spawning, but they aren't deep, I assume we're talking about fish staged outside of their spawning grounds?