Perhaps the biggest misconception surrounding crappies is that they are shallow right after ice-out because they’re spawning. To make a long story short, crappies do not spawn anywhere near ice-out. The optimal surface water temperature for spawning crappies ranges from 64 to 72 degrees — temperatures not found until mid-May into June.

The reason crappies are shallow and willing to bite shortly after ice-out is because they’re hungry. Above the ice, people mark the date of ice-out on their calendars as a monumental occasion. This sign of spring is welcome below the water as well. Rising water temperatures mean a boost in the food chain and an increased metabolism. These crappies are hungry and they’ll chase their food wherever it may lead them.

Having ended the winter in deeper water, crappies quickly move shallow to feed on baitfish once the water warms. These baitfish try to escape predators like crappies, so they relate to cover where they have at least half a chance to escape the gaping mouth of a hungry crappie. Thus the best crappie locations tend to be reeds, flooded brush, fallen trees, docks and leftover shallow weeds.

As the spring progresses and the water approaches their spawning temperature, crappies tend to relate to their spawning areas — usually soft-bottomed bays that provide cover at the proper depth. The question of depth is closely related to the body of water, but generally crappies spawn deeper on clearer lakes and shallower on murkier lakes.

So until the walleye opener, devote some of your time to crappie fishing on these waters this season.

UPPER RED LAKE
“Boy oh boy, there are a ton of crappies in this lake still ripe for catching,” said Terry Tuma. He ought to know, as the presenter of numerous seminars on crappie fishing and a big fan of old papermouth.

Upper Red Lake has been the talk of the state for almost a decade, which means that this hot crappie bite is almost over. Still, it is the best opportunity around for some major slabs. The population may be near the end of their life cycle, but they are big and tougher than ever. The bad news is that there are not any strong younger year-classes, meaning that once this population is gone, the lake will return to being just another “crappie” lake.

Tuma said the best news about Upper Red Lake crappies is that once the ice leaves, hardly anybody chases them.

“The fishing gets tougher once the ice is gone, but with a little help from your electronics, you can get on them with a little effort,” he said.

On Upper Red, Tuma loves fishing with red glow jigs tipped with emerald shiners around 3 inches long.

“A lot of people would use fatheads or crappie minnows, but I like shiners because these crappies are so big and they get aggressive with the larger bait,” Tuma said.

Drifting and trolling for crappies on Upper Red is another option, especially as the water warms up. Regardless of the tactic, Tuma once again stressed the use of electronics on Upper Red. The lake is seemingly devoid of structure, and the crappies tend to roam all over its 100,000 acres. “If you aren’t marking them, don’t waste your time on that area,” Tuma said.