Lake MI crappie ?

[brushnjigs]

Does anyone go out offshore for crappie on Lake Michigan?
Thanks in advance for any replys

[yankee doodler]

You know I've wondered about that myself. I figure that in some areas where you have structure along the shore, or bays/inlets you should be able to find them. It would only make sense, but I live along an area of Lake Michigan that's pretty much sand bars and beaches w/o any structure. It will be interesting to see what sort of replies this thread produces.

[wicklundrh]

Wow, good question.

I spent the better part of 8 years fishing lake Michigan 2-3 days per week in the summer time and never really thought much about it. Perch are there so it would only stand to reason that Crappie would be too.

Like Don said, structure would be key. The only issue I would see is differentiating between alewife, cisco, whitefish, and some of the others that will be marked on your depth finder. It would be a ton of trial and error. I would say you would have to be close to shore however. In most ports onlong the lake (at least on our side) depth within 1 nautical mile of shore is usually 40 ft. Of course, some ports are different however this is an average. Anything outside of 2-3 miles and you are looking at 60 to 80 or more. 4-5 miles off the bank and you are in 200-300ft of water.