Mid-Lake Crappie Fishing

[SRV1990]

I know the vast majority of posts and discussions here center around bass, but the fiancé and I are heading down this Friday (5/23) for a few days and she is very much NOT into bass fishing.  She would much rather crappie fish with a light rod, bobber, etc.  We are staying at Lazy Lee's, which is mid-lake and very close to Coney Island. 
Wondering what spots on the lake are good this time of year for crappie fishing, and if live bait like crickets or nightcrawlers would be best, or just go with crappie jigs, etc.  I don't mind motoring for a bit to some decent spots, but would prefer to stay within a few miles of the resort, if possible.

Thanks much in advance for any help/tips provided!!

[snagged in outlet 3]

I'm interested in hearing what others say.  I've heard the bluegill are big in Trock.  But I don't have experience with either of them.

[top_dollar]

Crappie will probably be difficult unless you're way better at it then me.  I've fished around Kimberling city in the summer for about 25 years and in that time I've seen more trout caught then crappie (2 to 1 if I'm keeping score).  You will be right by point 7.  If I were you Id run over there and fish it using split shot/drop shot rigs with live night crawlers.  It might be early for that yet, but there will probably be fish on the steep side in about 20 or 30 feet down.  The points at schooner creek, and the bridge pilings are also good.  You'll catch a variety of species, and sometimes stumble on a school of big bluegills, but unlikely you will find crappie.

[SRV1990]

25 minutes ago, top_dollar said:

Crappie will probably be difficult unless you're way better at it then me.  I've fished around Kimberling city in the summer for about 25 years and in that time I've seen more trout caught then crappie (2 to 1 if I'm keeping score).  You will be right by point 7.  If I were you Id run over there and fish it using split shot/drop shot rigs with live night crawlers.  It might be early for that yet, but there will probably be fish on the steep side in about 20 or 30 feet down.  The points at schooner creek, and the bridge pilings are also good.  You'll catch a variety of species, and sometimes stumble on a school of big bluegills, but unlikely you will find crappie.

It's safe to say I'm probably not better at it than you!  I've fished for crappie at Mark Twain and few other small lakes, but never TRL.  When I was at TRL back in April for a week of bass fishing, we hit Schooner Creek, which isn't too far from where we're staying.  And like I said, I'm not opposed to motoring a bit, say towards Joe Bald, Aunt's Creek, etc.  Just didn't want to go too far, if possible.   Thanks!!

[SRV1990]

2 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I'm interested in hearing what others say.  I've heard the bluegill are big in Trock.  But I don't have experience with either of them.

Honestly, I think she'd be perfectly fine catching a mess of bluegill, if we happened upon some.

[Dock-in-it]

With this being a heavy boat traffic weekend, I would recommend the following for bluegill fishing in the comfort of shade.

Get plenty of fish food or dry dog food (whatever works) and feed the first two boat stalls on each side of the dock then move out to the middle "cable" stalls and feed each side. Then if Lazy Lees still owns that next dock over (the one with boats in it) I would feed it. Since it has boats in it year around it will be probably be the better bluegill dock since it is shaded year around. 

The above suggestion may not work but it might be worth a try.

[Bill Babler]

Lazy Lee’s is a long way from mid-lake. Most consider anything down hill from KC to be dam area. 
That being said, catching a crappie down there anytime is a 90% no proposition. During a holiday I would hate my chances even with LiveScope. 

However all is not lost. Kennel Branch is right across the lake. Go to the back of it, there is plenty of pole timber back there and you might be able to fish in peace.  Night crawler will be the deal for bluegill. I’d start at 15’ and work shallower.  Also back in the adjacent cove to your resort  

Prior to going back in Kennel at the back of point 7 before the docks there is a shallow timbered pocket that at times holds gills and gogs. You can swim a small swim bait or again use live bait. 

The flats just across from LL on the down hill side of point 7 are very good locations for walleye. Jig and crawler or drop shot crawler work well here. Start at 15’ and work out to 30’. You can also troll bottom bouncers with crawlers here or a deep running crank bait. 

News is out about Whites surfacing on the same flat and on the points at LL and the flats across from Cow Creek early in the mornings. I mean early 5:15 to maybe if your lucky 6:30. 

If you’re keeping them to eat I’d use a lipless crank bait in 3/4, oz. silver in either black or blue back. You can throw it a long way. You can also catch them on a pop-r. It just doesn’t throw as far.  They will eat the little swimsuit but the lipless is a better weapon. Be careful with them as they remind me of a porcupine. 

They will also eat a jigging or flutter spoon, all better than a swim bait. 

The bouy point and adjacent flat across from Cow is also a good place for walleye and bluegill. If you find bluegill on the long gravel run outs you will also find walleye. I really don’t think the gills are spawning yet so I’m guessing they will be a bit deeper 15’ plus on the main lake gravel.  Back in the pole timber pockets they may be shallower. 

Hope this helps. Good Luck. 
 

 

[Flysmallie]

2 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

Lazy Lee’s is a long way from mid-lake. Most consider anything down hill from KC to be dam area. 
That being said, catching a crappie down there anytime is a 90% no proposition. During a holiday I would hate my chances even with LiveScope. 

However all is not lost. Kennel Branch is right across the lake. Go to the back of it, there is plenty of pole timber back there and you might be able to fish in peace.  Night crawler will be the deal for bluegill. I’d start at 15’ and work shallower.  Also back in the adjacent cove to your resort  

Prior to going back in Kennel at the back of point 7 before the docks there is a shallow timbered pocket that at times holds gills and gogs. You can swim a small swim bait or again use live bait. 

The flats just across from LL on the down hill side of point 7 are very good locations for walleye. Jig and crawler or drop shot crawler work well here. Start at 15’ and work out to 30’. You can also troll bottom bouncers with crawlers here or a deep running crank bait. 

News is out about Whites surfacing on the same flat and on the points at LL and the flats across from Cow Creek early in the mornings. I mean early 5:15 to maybe if your lucky 6:30. 

If you’re keeping them to eat I’d use a lipless crank bait in 3/4, oz. silver in either black or blue back. You can throw it a long way. You can also catch them on a pop-r. It just doesn’t throw as far.  They will eat the little swimsuit but the lipless is a better weapon. Be careful with them as they remind me of a porcupine. 

They will also eat a jigging or flutter spoon, all better than a swim bait. 

Tge bout point and adjacent flat across from Cow is also a good place for walleye and bluegill. If you find bluegill on the long gravel run outs you will also find walleye. I really don’t think the gills are spawning yet so I’m guessing they will be a bit deeper 15’ plus on the main lake gravel.  Back in the poke timber pockets they may be shallower. 

Hope this helps. Good Luck. 
 

 

And if that doesn't work then just go home!! LOL! Wow, that's some great info Bill. 

[SRV1990]

14 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

Lazy Lee’s is a long way from mid-lake. Most consider anything down hill from KC to be dam area. 
That being said, catching a crappie down there anytime is a 90% no proposition. During a holiday I would hate my chances even with LiveScope. 

However all is not lost. Kennel Branch is right across the lake. Go to the back of it, there is plenty of pole timber back there and you might be able to fish in peace.  Night crawler will be the deal for bluegill. I’d start at 15’ and work shallower.  Also back in the adjacent cove to your resort  

Prior to going back in Kennel at the back of point 7 before the docks there is a shallow timbered pocket that at times holds gills and gogs. You can swim a small swim bait or again use live bait. 

The flats just across from LL on the down hill side of point 7 are very good locations for walleye. Jig and crawler or drop shot crawler work well here. Start at 15’ and work out to 30’. You can also troll bottom bouncers with crawlers here or a deep running crank bait. 

News is out about Whites surfacing on the same flat and on the points at LL and the flats across from Cow Creek early in the mornings. I mean early 5:15 to maybe if your lucky 6:30. 

If you’re keeping them to eat I’d use a lipless crank bait in 3/4, oz. silver in either black or blue back. You can throw it a long way. You can also catch them on a pop-r. It just doesn’t throw as far.  They will eat the little swimsuit but the lipless is a better weapon. Be careful with them as they remind me of a porcupine. 

They will also eat a jigging or flutter spoon, all better than a swim bait. 

Tge bout point and adjacent flat across from Cow is also a good place for walleye and bluegill. If you find bluegill on the long gravel run outs you will also find walleye. I really don’t think the gills are spawning yet so I’m guessing they will be a bit deeper 15’ plus on the main lake gravel.  Back in the poke timber pockets they may be shallower. 

Hope this helps. Good Luck. 
 

 

All I can say is WOW, this is awesome Bill, thank you so very much!  I've fished those areas of Kennel Branch and point 7 for bass during my previous trips/stays at LL, so I'm familiar with them.  Same with Cow and Little Cow.

Also, thanks for the clarification of "mid lake".  I guess I always assumed the areas between Aunt's and Indian Point were considered mid lake, but looking at the map now I can definitely see where you're saying it is makes more sense.

At the end of the day I just want to be sure my wonderful better half catches fish and has fun.  You know the old saying, "Happy fiancé, happy me".... or something like that! 😉 And if I do some catching too, that's just a bonus.