Any Hardy Lake Tips for Beginner

Hey Everyone, I'm pretty new to Crappie fishing, at least when it comes to Indiana fishing. Last year my dad and I went to Hardy Lake in early may and are going again this year, I read it was pretty good for Crappie. We camp at the primitive site and I have a deep V boat. My question is where is the best place to target the Crappie on this lake. There are a ton of trees coming up out of the water in the no wake zone, but the depth is over 15 ft around most of them. I've been reading that during spawning Crappie are in shallow water. Is it better to hit the underwater structure, or go in the bays and try shallower waters? Last year, we didn't catch a single Crappie and I'd like to do better. If no luck this year, I may try Lake Monroe. Any suggestions!

Thanks!
PJ

In my opinion, Hardy is over-fished. There are some very nice fish to be caught, but the chances of filling the livewell day after day is going to take some luck. The crappie are certainly most vulnerable during the spawn, but by May, the locals have pounded the fish. Going to Monroe will give you the opposite headache, plenty of fish, but harder to get quality. Regardless, once the fish go shallow, I would look at any horizontal trees or brush piles you can find in less than 8' of water. Good luck!

Fish for stipers of you are going to Hardy, lol.....they have taken over!!

So, what time would be best to fish Hardy if the first of May is too late? Thanks for the replies. I did get a nice striper last year and we ended up catching a few largemouth when we couldn't get the crappie to bite. Thanks for your replies. I'm in the Lafayette area, and there aren't many lakes that are quick to travel too.

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Originally Posted by PJ1444

So, what time would be best to fish Hardy if the first of May is too late? Thanks for the replies. I did get a nice striper last year and we ended up catching a few largemouth when we couldn't get the crappie to bite. Thanks for your replies. I'm in the Lafayette area, and there aren't many lakes that are quick to travel too.

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If you live In Lafayette I would suggest Racoon or Lake Waveland but the size of fish at Waveland are not to good.

I fish there about once a month April-Oct and the best bet for bluegill and Crappie are in those weed beds towards the main part of the lake from the campground ramp by the Amphitheater. or go towards the dam and turn left after you turn left the area to your left that has no stick ups goes from 30' to 12' to 5' just be careful because I know for sure there is one spot back there that is only a foot deep because I drifted my trolling motor into it.

There is one more spot that should hold crappie but I continue to fish it and have never caught one over there but I am determined to find them over there this spring if I don't bounce another prop off that stupid stump in the opening of the cove

Thanks Rprince80! I've been to the lake once. Is there a specific depth you are looking for in front of the amphitheater or are you up close to the shore line? Thanks again. I'm hoping just to get a couple big crappie. I've had some 13" in Michigan, but when I'm up there it's usually pretty late for crappie, but the bluegill are awesome!

Well on the side closest to the ramp I seem to catch them up against the weed beds. On around the corner towards the main part of the lake it is on the edge of where it drops off. When I was a kid we caught alot of fish in that spot just beside the campground ramp. I can't remember what species or size