Ice Fishing for Crappie Tips

Crappie fishing is one of the most popular types of fishing in America. Crappie are found in literally all of the continental states and they can be found in most any type of weather and environment. They are typically pretty easy to catch which is another thing that makes them so popular. They can be found in small ponds, large lakes, rivers and impoundments of rivers. The good thing about crappie is that they are also found in northern areas and in colder climates. In fact, you can even fish for crappie in the ice and snow.

If you’re looking for a new and interesting way to fish for crappie, it’s time to consider ice fishing. But if you do, you need to know that there will be some different techniques and tactics to use than fishing in warmer weather for crappie. You need to set out prepared, especially if you have never been ice fishing before. Before you set out on the frozen waters, here is some ice fishing for crappie tips to help you along the journey.

Where to Fish

Now that you’ve decided you want to ice fish for crappie, you probably have a lot of questions on how to do this properly. One question you may have when ice fishing for crappie is where to fish. If you are already familiar with the body of water you are fishing in, this will be a considerable help when ice fishing for crappie. If not, then you will have more of a challenge to find the right spot and the right depths but it can still be done.

You may also find it very helpful to invest in an underwater camera. (There are even models that are shaped like crappie and won’t spook the fish). This allows you to become more familiar with the waters in the area and underneath the ice where you cannot otherwise see.

When ice fishing for crappie, you will usually need to go deeper in the water to find schools than you would at other times in the year. The oxygen levels are often depleted closer to the surface so schools must swim closer to the mid-to-low depths of the body of water. How deep you go will depend on the overall depth of the body of water you are fishing in.

How to Fish

When ice fishing for crappie, it’s important to remember to keep your bait above the fish schools. How high above them you go will really depend on the visibility of the waters you are fishing in but you need to be sure you have ample room to bring the fish to the surface. Fish from your hole in the ice, trying varying depths until you find one that seems to have good biting.

Remember that it is important to keep your bait moving. You don’t want to move too quickly for less active fish or you will be unable to get a bite so judge your quickness based on the activity levels of the fish at the time you are fishing. But holding the bait too still will not get any interest at all.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Get more information on Ice Fishing for Crappie here: http://www.askcrappiefishing.com/