Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 42

The
Pre-Spawn
Crappie
Dance
by Braden Eisenhower

coax crappies into shallow water, while cold fronts push
fish to mid-depth areas.

photos by the author

Knowing the steps

In and out, one leads, the other follows. This dance is not
set in a ballroom or high school gymnasium, and there is
no loud music.
The pre-spawn crappie dance begins in late March or
early April, when waters warm near the 50-degree F range.
It is the time of heavy feeding in preparation for the first
spawning wave in late April or early May. During this 4- to
6-week span, crappies transition back-and-forth between
mid-depth staging areas and shallow water, where fish
eventually spawn.

The spring dynamic

Many people associate spring with progress. Days
lengthen, the hours of available sunlight multiply and
the air and water temperatures warm. Budding leaves
and bug hatches reveal new growth and new life. All of
these factors distract from the repetitive setbacks to the
advancing season.
Springtime fishing is volatile, and crappies are a good
example. The location and activity level of this here today,
gone tomorrow species exposes the daily and weekly highs
and lows.
Dancing is best with a partner. But, where are these slabs
on any given day? The primary challenge of pre-spawn
crappie fishing is finding the quarry. Fortunately, weather
patterns help pinpoint likely hangouts. Warming trends

42

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2020	

Crappies winter in the basin, or deepest part of a lake.
When lakes thaw, some fish will move into the shallows.
This surge is in response to feeding and is unrelated to
the spawn. Otherwise, crappies will gradually migrate
to mid-depth areas between the wintering areas and
eventual spawning flat.
Mid-depth areas are the first significant depth change
off the spawning flat. Generally, this zone is 8- to 12-feet
deep and related to structural elements like drop-offs,
points, and creek channels. It is the site of good fishing
early in the pre-spawn period.
Water temperatures spike rapidly in response to
a trend of seasonably warm weather. At these times,
crappies may be found in numbers in shallow water,
actively feeding on small insects or fry. On cloudy days,
crappies hang high in the water column and feed near
the surface. Under bright conditions, expect to find fish
a few feet deeper but equally willing to bite.
The aftermath of storm fronts dampens the fun of the
shallow bite. Air and water temperatures backslide, and
crappies return to the staging area. The ease of catch is
often related to the density of the school size. In general,
the bite loses intensity, so there is a greater need for
slow presentations.
To some extent, there are crappies available near shore
throughout this period. The best odds for catching a
shallow dweller on any given day is near dusk, when
crappies move in to feed.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020

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