Ice Out Crappies

[TroyTMG]

I am thinking about trying to get into some ice out crappies in about a 630 acre lake that has up to 30' of water.  The deep water is said to be lacking in dissolved oxygen.  The majority of the lake is 12' to 13' of water.  There is some limited drop off type areas.  Can anyone offer suggestions on where to target these fish and how to fish for them?

Depth Chart



Thanks.

[Raquettedacker]

If the lake holds a good number of crapies they will move real shallow on the north shoreline of the lake that the sun hits and warms up... Any kind of structur is great... They may be in any where from 5 feet to 1 foot of water... I would use a small minnow under a bobber around 1 foot down..

[slipperybob]

crappies also like to stage off of an inflow creek.  Maybe the east shore with that creek?

[KillerBee42]

same place as where they were last ice is where I usually slay em

[fishermantim4]

structure warmest water and if theres balls of bait, if you can find anything out of the average for the whole lake your in a good spot

[Marcus]

stained water warms faster and the north end gets more sun I would think in the weeds in the northern bays. I would probably drift around dragging small beetle spins or small tubes until you find them. At least thats how I like to find them when I'm not sure where they'll be

[stanollie]

TroyTMG,

From what you've told us, I think the northern areas would be best.
Have you caught crappie there before? If so, was it open water or ice fishing?