Crappie Question

[OTIS]

Ok a simple Question ( I think) for the Veteran Crappie Slayers. Last Year Late April and May I finally found where the crappie Hangout on my hometown lake. I was able to go out at will and catch enough "Keepers" for a nice little dinner. I noticed as the summer Months wore on the Crappie were fewer and far between. I Assumed they moved to deeper water.
The area that I was fishing was about 8-13 feet of water, with "Stringy" weeds. The weeds came up to about 3 feet below the surface but they were not thick. I was casting a crappie jig that I would "Hop" through the weeds. This area drops off into a deep hole which is between 20 and 60 feet deep. Toward shore it gradually gets shallow with the weeds getting thicker.

Now my Question. If I am able to get my Boat out in Mid March (assuming/Hoping for Ice out), what is the probablility that the crappie will still be in the general area?? Will they most likely be shallow, Deeper, or in the 8-13 ft range??
Any input is appreciated.

BTW the lake I am speaking of is Wolf Lake on the Wolf Lake chain

[Tattoo Mike]

My experience is that they seek out warmer water. Closer to shore sometimes but usually over deeper water but in the top 10 feet. I have caught then as shallow as 3 feet just after ice out. Usually near dark. I have good luck in early spring under a bobber with monniows. Hope this helps a little.

[Whit1]

As the water warms after ice out the specks (that's what we call crappies) will prepare to spawn. They love timber in the water, but will also hang around tall weeds as you've found out. They will go shallow so explore a bit. Try tube jigs either plain or tipped with a minnow or waxworm. If the wind is right, try drift fishing until you find fish and then anchor.

[walleyechaser]

Otis,
You mentioned that you're on the Wolf Lake chain-----are there canals on the lakes or marshy areas?
If so, crappies and gills will move into the canals as soon as there's been a couple of sunny days since the water is warmer.
The same holds true for marshy areas. Those areas on the north/northeast part of a lake are the best since they warm the quickest.
Try also in deeper water but only 3 or 4 feet down.
Pincky Jigs and small 1/64 ounce jigs with pink heads and either a small, 1" white or chartreuse twister tail suspended below a small ice fishing bobber work well when tipped with a lively lip hooked minnow.
When they first come into the shallows, crappie can be quite spooky at times so avoid any unnecessary noise.

[OTIS]

Walleyechaser yes there are quite a few canals in the chain of lakes. They are mainly coverd in thick Lilly pads though. I have tried in the past for crappie in them but never was successfull.
Then again I have never fished them as early as I plan on fishing them this year.

Anyway thanks everyone for the tips. At least I have an Idea of what to look for and where to start trying.