Clear Lake is a great fishery most years, water is still very cold and when it warms to 58* you will be able to get them from shore. Lots of small lakes closer to you, but fish are smaller and less plentiful.
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Hi, new to the Crappie.com. Any crappie fisherman in Norcal with suggestions for lakes within 1.5 hours drive of the SF Bay Area? I've never caught crappie, but heard they're great for eating, so I'm dying to catch some to try. I don't have a boat, so I'm shore/dock/pier bound.
Clear Lake is a great fishery most years, water is still very cold and when it warms to 58* you will be able to get them from shore. Lots of small lakes closer to you, but fish are smaller and less plentiful.
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Thanks, Noodlerod! Yeah, I've heard that about Clear Lake. But I've also heard that the mercury levels are high there. Any other suggestions? I don't mind if the fish are smaller, as long as they are edible.
Also, do you mean a water temperature of 58*? What's the place to find out about a lakes water temperature? And is it correct to assume that when it gets to that temperature, that's when the spawn starts?
The water temperature is most of what will bring them to shore even if they don't spawn for weeks. Lake Hennessey is super clean water, sometimes it will get crowded at the top end so I go back to the other end.
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Thanks so much for letting me know about Lake Hennessey! Is there anywhere online where I can check on its water temperature regularly?
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Not that I know of, it is a drinking water supply reservoir so has a few restrictions and may have a website with information, Napa County.
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I don't know, but I would say you have a good chance to find active crappie near shore, I would move around a lot and try all the different types of shoreline working slowly with no float.
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Thanks for the tip, Noodle rod! Any recommendations for weight and color of jig grub?