The migration patterns of crappie can be very interesting and helpful when fishing for them. Once a thin layer of ice forms they will start to settle deeper, around 40 or 50 ft below. When there is a thick layer of ice they tend to stay closer to the surface. They do this because when the ice is thin the sunlight can penetrate considerably farther down than when there is a thick layer of ice. When they do go deeper (40-50ft) they will stay in main basins, or confined basin flats at around 25-30 ft. When crappie are in the river during the fall and spring they will try to find the closest connected lake or reservoir that is situated downstream from them. If those are not available they will stay in the part of the river with the least amount of current; sometimes only 5-8 ft deep, although most of their migration is determined by food sources. One year they could migrate in early January and the next year stay for the whole winter, depending on whether the local food source is sustainable or not.
Contrary to popular belief, during the winter crappie do not eat mostly minnows because they can sometimes be so close to the bottom they will eat worm like creatures, and zooplankton. That is why baits like small plastic baits, maggots, grass shrimp, or wax worms can outfish minnow baits. But make sure to use the best custom fishing rod you can find when fishing for crappie. Some of the best can be found at Castaway Rods. Now that you know which rods to buy, what depth to fish, and which bait to use, winter, fall, and spring crappie fishing should be easy!
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