Crappie action heating up

Spring is always a crazy time in Oklahoma, especially when it comes to the weather department! This year is no exception – late cold, drought, gale force wind, torrential rain and 90 degree heat, who can tell what a new day will bring.

But if we can get just a little cooperation from old Mother Nature, then one of the most exciting fishing times of the year is really starting to heat up, the spring crappie spawn.

Both black and white crappie spawn when water temperatures move into the low 60s and usually continues until those temps move into the 70s. Once the spawning trigger is set, crappie will move into shallow water from two to six feet, to lay eggs and fertilize them. Preferred spawning habitat is rocky banks, including rip-rap, submerged vegetation including flooded bushes, reeds or cattails.

According to the weekly fishing report compiled by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and Clayton Porter, Fisheries Biologist for SW Oklahoma, a couple of lakes in the region have shown some increase in crappie action. So as expected, the report reflects that crappie are starting to move shallow and are hitting on jigs and minnows along the shoreline.

While most of our SW Lakes have warmed up into the low 60’s, Lawtonka is still at 56 degrees, and Ellsworth is at 55. Lawtonka fishing action has yet to turn on. We still need more rain to bring the level up (currently 3 feet below normal) but some storms with runoff would bring levels up, then we should see some increase in activity.

Ellsworth is reporting fair action, and a little increase in water levels. With that inflow, water is a little murky. Crappie have yet to move shallow, but are biting around structure, docks and rocks.

Waurika, one of the best crappie lakes in our area, is at 62 and levels are 2-feet low. A few rains have provided a little increase in lake level with some turbidity. Crappie are not hot yet, but Porter reports some increasing activity on rip rap. Sand bass and hybrid action is listed as good on point in the main lake, and saugeye are still being caught in good numbers. It’s just a matter of time before spawning gets going on traditional hot spots on the riprap and bridge areas.

Tom Steed usually lags behind other lakes in our area, but temperatures are staying up with other lakes. Fishing is still a little slow for crappie, but sandies and hybrids are beginning to heat up. And Steed has a good population of saugeye that can be caught on the points this time of year.

Fort Cobb is a foot below normal and 60 degrees. Crappie are listed as fair and not shallow yet. Hybrids are hitting good at Cobb, and I have heard of a few large saugeye still being caught.

When the spawn kicks in, you don’t need the big fancy boat and huge tackle box — all you need to catch crappie this time of year is a rod and reel and a handful of jigs.

Small jigs, 1/16 ounce or smaller are usually the ticket. Some like tube jigs, some prefer curly tails. Usually the best colors are white, yellow or chartreuse, but sometimes black, pumpkinseed or another color might be the best. Adjust the color until you find something that works.

Working the rip-rap, rocky shoreline, or submerged vegetation with an ultralight spinning reel or long pole can provide for some great action. When the action really get going, a float tube or wading the shallows can really be productive.

To fish in Oklahoma, anglers 16 years and older need a resident or non-resident fishing or combination license. Other permits or requirements may apply to some lakes and anglers should always pick up a copy of the Oklahoma Fishing Guide before heading out on any fishing adventure.

For a complete list of regulations, anglers should pick up a copy of the “Oklahoma Fishing Guide” before heading out on any fishing adventure.