A “Crappie” question?

[Lithail]

So I like to fish Crappie. Do crappie go dormant in small lakes for winter? Here is the scoop.

I found a lake 2 years ago that was loaded with crappie. It was late August when we found the small lake.

The lake seems to have an average depth of 10 feet of water. But when we tried ice fishing it in winter we couldn’t catch anything.

Anyone ever had lakes where fish go dormant because it’s to shallow?

 

[Bryonfromtilly]

Change your depth and presentation. Everything likes to eat

 

[Lithail]

Is there any other insight on this topic?

 

[getin]

Take me there and I will show you how its done )
Try deepest part of the lake, then move towards shallow. If there is a weed edge, fish there. If there is a creek running to the lake, fish the line between creek mouth and the main basin, drill holes every 30 yards or so until you find them.

 

[Bryonfromtilly]

Just drill lots of holes it increase your chances

 

[Lithail]

I am heading to the lake today. I have drilled the entire lake. I fished all over. I used everything from live baits to soft baits spoons and what ever worse is in my magic tackle box.

I did only ever fish the lake in the afternoon from about 12-3. So today I have to cut a new trail to the lake then hopefully I will stay until the sunsets.

I am a hole drilling machine so that’s why I was asking if they go more dormant in shallow lakes for the winter.

 

[Bryonfromtilly]

Have you Tryed little jigs like tiny like the vmc tungsten ones?

 

[Lithail]

I have little jigs and hooks. Tiny ones.

I think that this lake is a summer lake only. We fished it again today. No luck.

I catch them every cast in the summer. But I think the lake is just to shallow for winter fishing. The deepest area of the lake is 10 feet. The rest of the lake is 6-8 feet.

I have been told that lakes that are very shallow the fish just shut down for the winter because of the lack of oxygen.

 

[Bryonfromtilly]

Maybe try those tiny jigs with meal worms from your pet store

 

[fisgfreek]

Maybe you need to use a sonar( fish finder) . It’s kinda hard to understand why you can’t get a bite.

 

[Lithail]

The lake is about 300 yards by 200 yards it’s very small. We have sonar. Helix 5 with the ice transducer. We used the flasher screen and the sonar. No action . Drilled holes every 10-20 feet maybe we scared them away because they are not use to the sound of the auger?

 

[fisgfreek]

That’s very strange, possible low population of Crappie in that lake . That’s funny small lake like that and one school of Crappie roaming the lake together LOL.