I'm new to crappie fishing.

 

Where should I look? It's ice out. The water is 45 F. How should I locate crappies? Where will they be?

 

Which lures should I use? (I don't want live bait).

 

If anyone has any info on their behavior this time of year, that would be helpful.  Are they pre-spawn?

 

Thanks!

I think I can offer some advice here, being that you're in MN too.

 

Anything below 50 degrees is going to be tough.  I went last weekend and the water was basically right at 50 in the bays (it was 44 on the main lake).  I did find some in 6 feet of water, but it wasn't a lot, yet.  Prior to 50 degrees, they generally are not going to be in shallow water.  They will still be out deeper, either in the main basin schooled up like they would be all winter, or maybe on the first break between deep and shallow.  You will need to use your graphs to find them.  Try to fish on warmer, sunny days in the spring time.

 

Once they begin to move shallow, then it can be gangbusters once you find them.  Look for shallow backwater bays with dark bottoms - those areas will warm up fastest.  A crappie minnow under a float works but small plastics also work.  I use both.  Once I locate a school in shallow, I usually switch to plastics completely.  No reason to be constantly re-baiting.  My favorites are the VMC crappie plastics.

 

It's very important to release spawning crappies.  I imagine you wouldn't keep a spawning bass or walleye, so this is no different.  If you find a good school of them, keep it to yourself.  People will swarm to your spot if they see or hear about a hot crappie bite.

 

@Team9nine is our resident crappie master here.  I think he fishes in South Carolina.  Some of the crappies he posts here are bigger than the bass on this forum.