I’m having a hard time locating crappie…do you have any tips?

Crappie can be a tough fish to locate consistently because their behavior can change day to day and even hour to hour. Once you do find them however you should catch them in large numbers. Unlike many other fish Crappie inhabit much less water but also move in much larger schools, generally by size. The first place to concentrate your efforts in searching for Crappie is near trees. It does not matter if it is fallen timber or standing trees. This is a species of fish that goes with wood like peanut butter goes with jelly. In the spring and fall Crappie inhabit shallower waters, though this is truer in spring when they spawn than the cooler fall months. Normally you can find them in six to eight foot deep water around spawning time. In the Northern states this can occur as late as June. As you move further south you will find the spawning process beginning as early as the start of March. As the warmer summer months move the Crappie will go deep. You will still need to look for wood structure that holds them. This is why a fish locator comes in very handy when Crappie fishing. Underwater trees provide the cover the Crappie seeks. Many resort owners and guides know this and strategically place evergreen trees and other trees in specific areas. They know that their clients can be led to these areas to maximize their catching potential. If you do not have a fish locator you will need to use your eyes to locate spots and never waste time in a spot that is not producing.