Black Crappie

TEMAGAMI FISHING VACATION IN ONTARIO - FISH TEMAGAMI LAKES

FISHING FOR CRAPPIE - EXPLOSIVE STUFF! By John A Vance

special note for diehard crappie fishers!
"Just Crappie" - the book - new release June/2004 - now available at my product page. This book is for the dedicated and hard-core crappie fishers of the northern US and Canada, north of the Mason-Dixon line. It covers large medium and small water bodies and includes a large chapter on ice fishing. Find out where crappie go - and why after the 'easy spring fishery'. Not the 'same old, same old'!

After reading the article below - go to product page, please!

Crappie fishing is excellent fun, a wholesome treat for the whole family too! Trouble is, many have trouble finding them after the waters have warmed up a bit in early summer. But finding crappie isn't rocket science, if you know a bit about this relatively flat looking critter.

Photo, a nice crappie, and when cooked up taste much like perch - except sweeter! This one is a nice greenish colour, but out of some water-bodies, they will be a silvery color.

Crappie are also called 'Calico Bass' by some fisher-folk in a few areas of this fine fish's range, and there are both white and black crappies, but for this article, well lump them all in one. Primarily though, we'll be dealing with the black crappie.

Black crappie prefer warmer water than many fish, and you'll find their range extending into southern Canada, especially around the great lakes basin, but not into central or northern Canada. Of course, the bulk of the crappie's range is in the US, where the more southerly sun exposure warms the water to a higher degree than in the north. But all those reading this should take note, and be aware that in the water around Georgian Bay, and into the Lake Simcoe area of Ontario (Canada), crappies have been rated as OVER POPULATED in many watersheds, and thus; for those so inclined, these waters can afford excellent fishing opportunity for 'slab' crappie.

Photo; a nice catch of crappie from over populated waters of Ontario's Georgian Bay watersheds

To ardent crappie fisher persons, 'slab' crappie is the name given to larger members of this fish, which to a bass fisherman - would translate into 'a lunker'.

Perhaps more crappie are taken in the spring-time than any other season of the year, partly due to their accessibility. At this time of the year, they come into the shallows, usually shortly after ice-out, and remain their until after their spawning period, usually in mid-May; early June in the cooler northern waters. The waters in these shallow areas are the first ice-free (usually shallow )water areas, as they warm-up sooner than deeper waters.

Crappie come into shallow areas just after ice-out, as the water starts to warm. After the ice has been out about a week to ten days, and the water had warmed a bit more, these fine little denizens go on feeding frenzies, seemingly making up for the long cold winter. Crappie will be eating many of the insect life (types) and small minnows found in these 'warming' areas.

It’s time to go fishing in Canada!