Late Ice Crappies

[Tyler Rother]

Big Pine Lake - Not the one next to Little Pine -

I been looking for winter crappies for 6 winters now with little to no luck.. Anyone wanna give me some advice on what to look for, I've tried deep water, drop offs, around the island...

Maybe take a look at a map and let me know... Or what to look for... To find the Slabs..

Any info would be awesome!


Thanks,
DH

[MTCOMMER]

I would assume that is the Big Pine Lake on the west side of Mille Lacs?

[DDSBYDAY]

I am not familiar with the lake.  What county is it in?  One other thing, are you using a Vex?  Feb and March I have found that if you can find the deep hole with a muddy bottom (30-40) feet you can usually find Crappies.  While most of the time you will find them suspended somewhere in the water column do not rule out the bottom.  Go light line(2lb) and see if you can get some marks on the vex by starting at the bottom and working your way up.  Use a small teardrop with a #8 hook.  I also like to use a spring bobber because those lethargic winter slabs often will not move a floating bobber.  I hope this helps.  If you send me the county I will check the map and tell you where I would try in a pm.

[MTCOMMER]

I believe it would be in Aitkin county, the other Big Pine lakes have little big lakes next to them, so I would ASSUME its the one up hear Garrison, west of Mille Lacs.  Its a very countoury, deep lake for the size.  You can see the contour on DNR Lake Finder.
They say that the crappies get up to a decent size, but there isnt too many of them, 'below average'.

[Tyler Rother]

Yeah, It's in Aitken county. There are a few Crappies in there, spring we can find em  no problem. I am using a fl-18, and 2 lb line. And the pain is as mtc says, it has TOO much structure.

[MTCOMMER]

Yeah, It's in Aitken county. There are a few Crappies in there, spring we can find em  no problem. I am using a fl-18, and 2 lb line. And the pain is as mtc says, it has TOO much structure.

Well, Lake Winona has alot of structure (KINDA, not that much, but quite abit for being a small lake)  We are catching the crappies in about 20-25 ft of water, some are in about 16.  During the day they are deeper, in the 25 range but we also have alot of fallen trees and brush under the water, im not sure how Big Pine is.  By the looks of it (from the contour map) that southwest corner could be promising, away from the main lake where all the predators are and enough vegetation for them to eat.  Maybe even on the sides of the 'island'.
I would assume you have tried everything though, that looks like a tough lake to fish.  They could be anywhere, they dont need to stay in one general area or one point because they are all over the place.
PERSONALLY, I would fish a different lake, maybe even Round Lake.  There is still deep water and alot of structure, but not the rolling hills under the water that Big Pine does.  Plus, you know that you dont need to fish in the 50'+ areas, unless the crappies are down that deep.
Im running out of ideas though.  You have tried all the ideas I have with no luck.... There is always dynamite, but that works better in the summer 

  
The walleyes and perch are biting down here in Winona, thats the only other piece of advice I have, haha.  Crappies slowed on the lake -- all fishing has slowed on the lake, it sounds like.

[DDSBYDAY]

. Nice sized black crappies are present in the fishery, but their abundance is very low. ?

                    That is a quote from the DNR website-  I would try that east side of the island.  Start at 30ft and search with the sonar.  The good thing is if you can find them you will have a good chance at a trophy.

[Tyler Rother]

Got a few I have released back in over the 2# range. They are there, just hard to find em. Thanks, I'll give the ideas a shot. Let ya know how I do.

Here's from last spring.

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[7outof10]

head over to little white fish just west of the big pond any ?s about the lake jsut ask in the form for that Aitken county im heading up there next weekend for some of them