Visible stumps are hotspots that should never be ignored by a crappie angler any time of year.
But not all stumps are created equal. You may have to fish a bunch of different stumps
to find the one that for some reason, holds fish. (Photo: Keith Sutton)
Tracking Down Nomad Crappie
by Keith Sutton
In June, crappie in most parts of the country are coming off their spawning beds and taking up residence in summer haunts. This period often finds our favorite panfish acting like nomads as weather and water conditions change. They may be on shallow-water features one day and ambushing baitfish around deeper cover and structure the next. Many anglers find this confusing and aren’t sure where they’re most likely to get a bite from actively feeding fish.
Fortunately, some places almost always seem to hold some crappie this season, and the angler who keeps on the move, hitting first one spot and then the next, can usually catch enough crappie for a home fish fry.
Following are some of those places where late spring/early summer crappie gather like kids around an ice-cream truck, gobbling every morsel that passes by. Drop a jig, minnow or other crappie enticement in these hotspots and you’ll increase your chances for nabbing some eaters, and maybe a barn door or two, on your next outing.
Isolated Stumps
You’ll rarely go wrong working a jig or minnow around any stumps you see that are isolated from other types of structure. If you can find an area with lots of widely scattered stumps, so much the better. Fish each stump thoroughly on all sides, targeting the shady side first on sunny days.
On some lakes they may be visible on the surface and the best stumps often are those barely visible beneath the water’s surface. But you’ll have to move slowly and watch carefully to find them. Anglers often carry short pieces of wooden dowel or small construction flags to stick in the tops of such stumps as markers. It’s then easier to come back and fish the stumps throughout the day, removing the markers when you leave.
But don’t ignore deeper stumps you spot using your electronics.
Points
Points are excellent crappie hotspots in June because they serve as pathways for fish moving from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts. By working each point methodically from near-shore to offshore, you should be able to determine the day’s depth pattern and use it to locate crappie on other points or structural features.
Work a jig or minnow around all visible cover: stumps, fallen and standing timber, rocks, man-made brush piles and the like. If most crappie are caught around features at the point’s upper end, then concentrate on shallow features when you move to other areas. Likewise, if crappie favor deeper areas on the point, you should continue fishing deep-water structure until you notice a shift in the pattern.
Fish Shelters
Fisheries agencies often construct fish shelters by sinking reefs of trees and brush in waters where lack of fish cover limits fish production. Buoys mark the locations of most shelters. Others are marked on maps and can be pinpointed using sonar. All such shelters are likely to harbor crappie concentrations in June.
Flooded Willows
When fishing big rivers and their backwaters, you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll always find crappie holding around inundated willow trees. Fishing the outermost willows in these areas is the best way to catch lots of big crappie, but if that fails to produce, work other portions of the willow stand. Be attentive, too, for long rows of flooded willows on natural lakes where overflows raise the water level. These are hotspots not to be missed.
Baitfish Schools
Schools of small baitfish such as minnows and threadfin shad are nearly always followed by big solitary crappie, and sometimes schools of smaller fish. Try to determine what types of baitfish crappie feed on where you’re fishing (check with the local fisheries department or knowledgeable anglers), then watch for clues that will help you pinpoint the baitfish and nearby crappie.
As a general rule, look for baitfish schools in deeper water around midday in June. Look in shallower water early and late in the day. You may see little schools of baitfish spurting from the water as predator fish chase them, or see swirls as predators and prey interact. On a fish finder, watch for signals indicating schools of baitfish with scattered larger individuals (crappie or other predator fish) around or beneath them. Once found, the crappie can be targeted with lures appropriate to the situation.
Water-Control Structures
Many crappie waters have water-control structures that bring an in-flow of fresh water to the main water body. This may be a pipe jutting from a bank with water pouring out the end, an underwater well head that creates a boil in an otherwise calm surface or a culvert with a fresh in-flow of rain after a shower. Schools of baitfish gather in the well-oxygenated water around these structures, and crappie gather to feed on the baitfish. Working spinners and spoons through areas where the water is disturbed is one good way to catch these often-scattered slabs.
Shallow Ledges & Channel Breaks
June crappie anglers should always watch their sonar unit for signs of shallow ledges and channel breaks beneath the water. These aren’t the deep drop-offs that fall away for 10 feet or more along a major river channel, but rather shallow ditches, cuts and ledges often found near bluffs or bays. These structures are especially productive when associated with nearby weed beds, timber stands or other crappie cover.
Docks
On lakes with lots of docks, see if you can find some attractive to June crappie. The best are usually built on wood pilings, are in 5 to 15 feet of water near cover and/or structure, have been in the water several seasons and lie close to the water’s surface. These provide a sense of security and a smorgasbord of foods. Algae growing on the seasoned wood hide grass shrimp, minnows, aquatic insects, insect larvae and other crappie favorites.
Also watch for brush piles near docks. It’s rare when anglers haven’t placed several nearby, and rare when you won’t find several nice crappie hiding within these shelters.
We’ve only discussed eight June crappie hotspots. There are dozens more. What’s important to remember is this: the best bait and equipment are useless unless hungry crappie are nearby. If you take time to find the best areas, however, odds improve for catching lots of crappie, including occasional trophies.
Keith Sutton is editor of our sister magazine, CatfishNOW.com. He’s been an avid crappie angler for more than half a century, pursuing his favorite panfish on waters throughout the United States. His fishing stories have been read by millions in hundreds of books, magazines, newspapers and Internet publications. In 2021, he was inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.
