Winter Crappie Fishing

Winter simplifies the hunt for crappies. While some fish remain in shallow, oxygen-rich weeds that survive under the ice, the primary bite shifts to the deep basins. In these areas, you’ll find large, nomadic schools feeding on the aquatic invertebrates like bloodworms and larvae that thrive in the soft basin mud.

Most lakes feature multiple basins, but the "sweet spot" typically falls in the mid-depth range of 20–30 feet. Whether these depths are more fertile or simply easier to break down with electronics, they consistently prove the most productive. An added benefit of these mid-depth basins is the ability to safely practice catch and release, as fish pulled from deeper water are often at risk for barotrauma.

Because these schools are constantly roaming, my rule of thumb is simple: if you find a school but can't trigger a bite, move on quickly. There are always more active pods nearby.

My go to for baits this time of year is small tungsten jigs tipped with 1-3 wax worms, switching that out with different small plastics. I also like to use smaller spoons when they are looking for a larger meal.