Back bays and shallow coves with sheltered cover typically provide the best prespawn/spawn crappie areas. Oxbow lakes or flooded river backwaters are classic examples. Crappies will hold along the edges of deep weeds or timber prior to spawning, and then move into the shallows to feed or seek nesting sites.

Large reservoirs and natural lakes usually have main lake crappie spawning, too. All of the fish don't head for the bays or coves. Shallow, brushy humps in reservoirs, or main lake reed beds in natural lakes, often host a portion of the spawn -- particularly for the big fish. Since the water in the main lake typically warms more slowly than in back bays or coves, the best activity there typically occurs a week or two after the shallows start poppin'.

NATURAL LAKES

In spring, natural lake anglers often rely on three shallow crappie locational patterns: canals (AREA A), bays (AREA B), and main lake reed beds (AREA C).

Canals warm quickly, and crappies may begin to use them shortly after ice out. The best canals are wind protected, have some water color, only one inlet as opposed to flow through canals with two or more, and secondary arms. Good canals also offer cover, often in the form of boat hoists or docks.

A week or so after crappies begin to use canals, they may enter shallow bays. The best bays warm quickly and offer cover. A good bay usually also has a deeper hole in it. Holes offer refuge to shallow crappies when cold front conditions strike.

Eventually, crappies begin to frequent main lake reed beds. The best reedbeds are usually the largest beds offering the most cover. Reedbed activity usually begins 2 to 3 weeks after canal activity, and a week or so after activity in bays. Use your electric motor to quietly slide through reedbeds to search for crappies.

A fourth, largely ignored pattern occurs in AREAS D-1 and D-2. Deep, 3 to 5 foot reed beds often host a portion of the crappie spawn -- particularly for big fish. These are the last spawning areas to warm up and see the last spawning activity. They're often tough to fish due to their exposure to the wind, however.