New Trip to Smirh Mountain Lake

I live relatively close to SML (within an hour or so) and want to get some crappie time in this year. The weather this week is supposed to be nice and I wanted to get thoughts on coming down to hit them a day or two. Am I too early or will it be good to fill my freezer (well restock...). Also, Is it best to use minnows or will artificial work good.

Thanks

I'm sure they will be spawning or in prespawn areas now. Depends on water temps. Old saying says if the dogwoods are blooming they are spawning but I'm not so sure about that.