Thread: crappie cover

Originally Posted by rrcrappie

what is the best cover for crappie?

it varies, from lake to lake, and it can be seasonal.

Generally speaking ... White Crappie prefer wood - Black Crappie prefer weeds. Though, even that isn't always the case ... such as when a lake has Black Crappie, but no weeds. Then they seem to follow after the White Crappie's preference ... wood.
Standing trees, fallen trees, & piles of branches are all good "wood" cover. But, the overlying factor is SHADE. Reasons being - cooler water, security, provides a hiding place (from other predators), or provides a cloaking factor (so as to be able to ambush their prey). Shade can be provided by any form of solid structure (tree, bridge pilon, dock, etc) ... or even depth or water clarity.
Wood also has algae growth, which some baitfish feed on. Baitfish also hide around it/in it. Put all those together - shade, wood, baitfish - and the Crappie have almost all the things they need.

What is the "best" cover .... Shade would be my answer. But, you'd also have to have wood, in most cases. No wood, then depth is key ... and that's usually in conjuction with a channel dropoff, or hump, or something they can relate to. This is, of course, not the total picture. There are times when they are, or seem to be, out in the middle of nowhere ... scattered, or free roaming. But, for the majority of the time, if you've got shade/wood/baitfish ... you've got a better chance of having Crappie around, too.

... cp

Wood is the key where I fish.

Submirged Wood 90 % of the time!!

Wood up this way too.

Submerged wood at Cave Run.