Water temp

[Moose07]

What temperature can I actually start catching crappie shallow on a regular basis from the shore? Temp says it's 53. There's a part of a lake that's 1-2 ft deep with lots of snags and blow downs I can get to from the bank. It's on the N NE side of the lake. Not sure if it's warm enough for me to drive to the lake yet or not.

[longhunter]

If it was me I would start now. And I would start on a rocky bank facing south. They warm up first. The length of day light has a bunch to do with it as any thing. IMO

[CrappiePappy]

Muddy bottom banks will warm faster than rocky banks, and the NW & W banks will warm faster than E or S banks. But, at 53deg I'm not sure they're gonna be right up against the bank, just yet. I just fished 58-63deg water and caught fish anywhere from right against the bank to out in 10fow ... but they're not spawning just yet. All caught against the bank were non-keeper sized males (<10"), and all the keeper fish (10-12") were caught out away from the bank in the 8-10fow range (mix of males/females). Most were White Crappie, but there were a couple of Black Crappie also caught, and the one 12" Black Crappie male was all decked out in his tux (almost to the point of being completely black) ... even though the water is quite murky from the recent rains. They're definitely thinking about it, but the cool weather is delaying their run a bit. This was 4 days ago, and we've had cold rain (light) and cold nights & cool days since (30's - 60's).

[CTPanfisher]

While this doesn't exactly answer your question, it definitely is a helpful resource for determining where the crappie are, as well as what techniques to use to fish for them. https://www.crappie.com/crappie/arch...appie-degrees/

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[#1Crappiekiller]

I know you said you are fishing the bank, however I found them today on the North side of the lake in 10 - 14 fow. Trolling just on the drop off of the weed line. Back and forth, the vertical jigging wasn't working but the troll was Hot.. I say all of this to agree with the gentleman in a earlier post they haven't made it in close to the bank yet.

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[Moose07]

Thanks fellas! Being self taught it's hard for me know when to start focusing alot of effort on shallow crappie from the bank.

[Ketchn]

if you live up north and you are targeting black crappie , 53 is for sure time to look shallow
it isnt just about water temp when they go shallow in the spring

[catchNgrease]

Those fish look all dressed up with no place to go.

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