Main Lake Crappie?

[Hunter91]

I have been up the river arms catching crappie in the spring but have never quite figured them out on the main lake this time of year. Any suggestions what kind of areas to start looking in? I have a friend that wants to go out of the Kimberling area this week and running up the river is not an option. Thanks.

[Don House]

All of the guys I seen today were fishing deeper docks on the main lake.. Not too much to talk about or they were keeping very quite.. Could see with my Side Imaging they were fishing tree tops in the docks stalls, and one I went by had fish in it and three old guys fishing it pretty hard.. Looks like they were fishing minnows if that helps any... Going up Long Creek in the morning and check all of my brush piles.. Good Fishing!!

Don

[Phil Lilley]

Key is to find a dock that's in deep water- over 30 feet. I think they'll be there, especially if there's a spawning bank or cove close by.

[Sam]

I have been up the river arms catching crappie in the spring but have never quite figured them out on the main lake this time of year. Any suggestions what kind of areas to start looking in? I have a friend that wants to go out of the Kimberling area this week and running up the river is not an option. Thanks.

You might try along the south bank of Little Cow Creek, among the stick-ups. That's been a crappie hole for me, at times.

Also, it's getting about time for male crappie to be "staging" on rocky main lake banks just outside coves they're going to be spawning in later. Look for spawning coves, even little ones, with good pea-gravel - then check the banks just outside the cove entrances. If you find crappie on those banks now, you'll probably find a bunch of them all together.

[chub minnow]

Found 'em 15' down in about 25' of water on the main lake. Dock is over a series of drop offs directly adjacent to a gravel / chunk rock beach on a main point. I don't think that there are a lot of trees, but I'm not sure what exactly is down there -especially at this level. BTW- the little ones are bluegill, we weren't poaching.

[Bill Babler]

Chub, glad you found them. I'll look for the following and see if I can replicate your pattern

1. 15' deep

2. Suspended over 25' deep

3. Main Lake

4. Under a dock

5. Dock over a series of "Drop Off's"

6. Adjacent to a Gravel Beach

7. Chunk Rock on the Gravel Beach

8. On a point

9. Trees not present

Sounds to me like there should be a few more variables. Places like that seem like they would just be to easy to find.

Just a Kiddin ya. Sounds like you did everything in your power to answer the question, without giving up your specific dock. I think you did a real good job. Just got a kick out of all the criteria it takes to find a crappie. Far as I know you are probably right. I couldn't find one if my life depended on it. Great Report.

Good luck out there.

[Hunter91]

Thanks a lot. I am going to give it a try today.

[Don House]

Long Creek around Cricket Creek 53 to 54 best found..

[johnboy2bfishin]

hey Don was the water dirty up there or is starting to clear out

[Bill Babler]

Phil Stone discribed it to me today, to be chocolate milk color. Don may have a better handle on it.