February Crappies

[flounderhead59]

So what do you think would be the best approach to target Crappies through the ice in mid'ish February in Northern Illinois. I am planning on fishing in a Cancer Charity ice fishing benefit and would rather target Crappie than Blue Gill.

Walk on Water Ice Benefit

[kb2112]

Find a lake map and look for structure. Look for points, holes, drop offs, humps, ect. That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure others will chime in with more and better ideas.

[CTom]

February can have the fish in winter doldrums. As mentioned, you should be taking a look at a map of the lake. If you can find a pic of the lake to post or a map link for the lake, post it here and I'd be happy to help out. Be sure to shown the map with north up or the north orientation arrow along with any current direction.

[CTom]

I just googled the lake and did an aerial enlargement to see if I could judge the water's depths and maybe establish some breaklines. If you can post a map showing water depths it would be very handy.

I do see three areas that have my attention. Does the Il. dnr have a website that shows the lakes of the state? If there is a state hosted map on-line, find it and copy the "http....address" to a post here.

[chaunc]

I'd suggest to look for the weedbeds and fish the weedlines deeper edges. Works for us when we fish Presque isle bay on lake erie. Crappies, gills, and perch are caught in these areas.

[flounderhead59]

These are waypoints from areas that produced various fish last winter. The tag refers to site number and depth. For instance Wauc Boat 1-10, means I walked out from Wauconda Boat, was the first stop and was 10 feet deep. This is the southern shore line. I have a full map but it is in PDF format and not sure if and how I can attach that. Can't upload it to photobucket

[flounderhead59]

OK, I printed it, then scanned it and then uploaded it to Photobucket...I know. prolly an easier way but computers hate me anyhow.

[CTom]

In addition to those waypoints given, I like those two points that seperate the two distinct bodies of water.There is a bowl of 32 foot water smack in the middle of the picture. Between that hole and the point directly above it you'll find some tightly banded water depths. I like that. The point immediately to the right of the hole has a similar sort of tightly dropping shoreline and I like that too. Both of these areas would have my full attention if the weather has an abrupt change of a serious cold front comes thru within a day of this event. If the skies are bluebird with no snow cover I'd stay close to these areas.

If there is a snow pack or you are having a long stretch of stable weather, or you are fishing cloudy or low light conditions, I like that 8-10 foot pit just SE of the Cook Park sign. That 10 to 18 foot basin in the upper portion of the lake off that point is another area I'd target during stable weather. Actually that long 14 foot shore to the right of and between the trough showing the waypoints and the deep hole is interesting if the weather is consistent.

My general rule of thumb is to fish like the weather is. If the weather is stable and nice, fish areas where bottom contours are moderate in change. If the weather is ugly and has shown a redical change, then the depth and radically changing lakebed elements will get my attention.

This looks like a fun lake for ice fishing.

[flounderhead59]

My general rule of thumb is to fish like the weather is. If the weather is stable and nice, fish areas where bottom contours are moderate in change. If the weather is ugly and has shown a radical change, then the depth and radically changing lake bed elements will get my attention.

This looks like a fun lake for ice fishing.

I like that, simple to remember

[crappiedoc]

Pretty good info. For me it seems the longer the ice is on the shallower the active fish will go. Life needs light and the whole cycle moves up to get it. With the long ice period last year we started getting crappie in 3'-4'fow as well as the traditional locations. So if you've "lost" them you might look shallow. Good luck