Well, I'm 1 million miles away and about 20degF warmer but close enough to let you in on a tip. There is nothing better than a big heat wave in late winter (or early spring) to turn on the fish. I never fished "ice out" crappie until two years ago. DO IT. Especially when talking about small waters. My local pond is about 4 acres up to 11 ft. I used to kill 'em there, but lately the best action is from 50% ice cover to about 45degF. Always look for that sudden warm blow!!! I use a slip bobber with a 1/16oz round jighead & black 2" Twister tail. It worked great here on about 3/22. The crappie seem to have turned off for the last 2 weeks but the weather pattern is highly unusual: 2 weeks of bulebird skies with a steady east wind & dropping temps, unheard of and yes, it has turned off the fishing drastically. Though today, four of us eeeked out 8 stripers to 28" in Raritan Bay NJ. As soon as the weather breaks warm again, the big crappie run and everything else will BREAK LOOSE!!! There is that period here now when they seem to loose interest in everything (spawning distractions in small waters & another warming delay in bigger waters) but soon will be the second boom! The BIG ONE! GOD I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! Anyway, GO WHILE IT'S GOOD!
Sorry for my Crappie attitude.