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General Information: Crappies are one of Ohio’s easiest fish to catch and are great for trips intended to get kids hooked on fishing. Common in many of Ohio’s lakes, black and white crappies naturally reproduce in most of these waters. Count on crappies for fast action using basic techniques and equipment, particularly during spring. They are also as good to eat as they can be to catch, and are a long-standing favorite for the table.
State Record: White crappie: 3.90 pounds, 18 ½ inches, private pond
Kyle Rock, Zanesville, Ohio
April 25, 1995
Black crappie: 4.5 pounds, 18 1/8 inches, private lake
Ronald Stone, Wooster, Ohio
May 24, 1981
Fish Ohio Length: 13 inches
Tips:
- Crappies are usually situated around structure including points, drop offs, creek beds, and cover such as brush piles, fallen trees and stumps.
- During summer most of Ohio’s lakes develop a thermocline at 15 – 20 feet, so fish near or above these depths when fishing deeper water.
- In smaller lakes, crappie maybe very close to woody structure all year long.
- If fishing deeper than 4 feet a slip bobber is very helpful.
- If crappies are in the area and the bite is slow, a change in jig color may increase the bite rate.
Tackle: A fishing rod with moderate to fast tip action and rated for lure weights of 1/16 to 1/4 ounce is a good year-round for crappies. Attach to this a light to moderate sized reel spooled with 4 to 8 pound test fishing line. Minnows are frequently used to catch crappies. All you need for this technique are small hooks (sizes 4, 6, or 8), small split shot weights, and a bobber. Other baits that work well are 1/16 to 1/8 ounce jigs with feathers, synthetic hair, plastic curly tails, or tube bodies. Jigs come in a multitude of colors. Some people use long crappie poles or cane poles (9-14 feet) to place jigs and minnows between submerged tree limbs.
Regulations: see fishing digest for a variety of regulations throughout the state
Where to go:
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Central
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Northwest
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Northeast
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Southwest
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Southeast
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Seasonal Fishing Approaches:
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Season
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Spring
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Pre-summer
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Summer
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Fall
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Winter
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Months
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March –
April
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May
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June – mid
September
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Mid September – November
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December –
February
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Peak Activity
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Good-Excellent
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Good
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Good
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Excellent
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Fair
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Presentation
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Use baitfish imitating tackle. Small crankbaits, plastics and marabou jigs. Minnows suspended by bobbers. Fish around woody cover.
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Use baitfish imitating tackle. Small crankbaits, plastics and marabou jigs. Minnows suspended by bobbers. Fish bait around woody cover.
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Trolling small crankbaits and twistertails are effective. Early morning and evening are best times.
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Marabou jigs and minnows suspended by a bobber is effective. Present jigs and minnows around woody cover by casting or vertical jigging.
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Fish minnows or light colored jigs very slowly. May need to let bait sit still with occasional movement.
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Location
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Crappies move from deep water to spawning areas using creek beds and deep channels to get there. As spawning nears, fish suspend over deep water close to spawning sites.
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Fish have spawned and are moving back to main lake points and deeper water. Some fish can be found around fallen trees and other woody structure.
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Most fish are suspended over main lake points and deep water. Will move up to shallower water at night to feed. Some fish can be found around fallen trees and other woody structure.
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Crappies are moving back into shallow water to feed. Cover and baitfish are key to locating schools of crappie.
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In deep creek beds or other deep water associated with a drop off that contains woody cover or rock.
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