Very early spring fishing., Very early.

I am looking forward to a post when you fish in your boat at that spot where you caught all those crappie ice fishing. If the ice is off that lake now, I guarantee the crappie are down by the creek mouth area yesterday and today. And the rest of the week until it's gets cold next week. Then back to the deeper water they will return until it warms up again.

I’ll try but may not be able to get any access to launch it’s kind of a tricky situation.. may have to go in by canoe… I’d love to somehow get the boat in to cruise around and plot things out though! As of Saturday that lake was still covered in ice, don’t know if I can make it up as things will be busy around our place this spring, but we’ll see. I usually fish Lake Ontario a lot because it’s close and I can sneak out for a few hours here and there. We’ll see what this spring brings, sure would be nice to get some more crappies at some point though for sure, possible even a monster crappie as I’m now on the hunt haha

Your posts are super informative, thank you for sharing.

I am determined to find crappie slabs this year! Went out Friday, the wind was just too much to be moving around and looking for fish. Coming back to launch, into the wind, with low fuel was not fun... float suits thankfully kept us warm against the spray.

Tried again yesterday, the "light" southerly winds were blowing quite a bit more than forecast down our way... and I am thankful for it b/c our luck may have changed when we moved into a more sheltered area.

Ended up finding crappie exactly where I would NOT have thought to look for them at such an early time of year... the learning continues!

out in my boat today, couldn't believe how low the water was. there was a tree grounded in big river out 80yds from shore, don't know exactly how deep it was but didn't look very deep and I'm sure I have boated over that spot in the past. So yes be real careful where you go this spring, might have been lots of water last year but not this year.

Nice catch! Thanks for sharing. What an odd year it’s been temperature wise .

In other years you wouldn’t even fathom being in a boat at this time.

You’ve inspired me to take a trip this week. Don’t know if I’ll get lucky, but I know it’ll be better than sitting at home anyways .

Curious if you think todays warm weather changes anything?

Oh I am sure there is some monster crappie in that lake of yours, judging from the ones you have already caught. Most of my largest crappie over the years have come at night. Spring is mostly fishing all day and if weather permits a few hours at night here and there. From walleye opener and on, it's mostly night fishing until September. Then for the fall, fishing starts late morning until Crappie O'Clock right up to sunrise or as long as I can stay awake. The monsters really do come out after dark. Good luck and stay safe on the ice if you go again.

Thanks for the comment. That's is usually where you would find them in April. Three more days and the crappie will be out of there until the next week of cold weather is passed us by. Then spring should be here to stay around April fools day. That's great to find them way too early in our fake spring. That is the main reason for my late start this year, could have been fishing two weeks ago in some areas of the Kawarthas. I don't want to make Mother nature mad by being out there too much. I am very superstitious about fishing, and she has been very generous to me. So only taking a few fish out of the lake until the weather gets back to normal. It looks like April should be on average so far. Hopefully all the fish get to spawn at normal temperatures, fingers crossed.

Yes, saw some rocks I have never even noticed before. I can't say everywhere, but most places from the Kawarthas and south from there and over your way. The water levels should be at normal spring levels by April 1st. week. Hopefully.

Thanks and good luck when you get out there. Not sure what you meant by "changes anything." Pre-spawn...Spawn...Post-Spawn??? As for weather, this freak early spring is done in 3 days. After that the crappie will go back to their normal March hideouts. Good thing about that is the schools of fish will be huge in deeper water. Hopefully April will be back to normal temperatures and water levels. Hard to see the future, but I don't see why it should be any different than last year. Only factor is how much rain between now and April 15th. If we don't get good normal spring rain it definitely is going to affect the fish that spawn in the Kawarthas. Let me know if that was what you meant by the warm weather changes anything.

Water levels are very low. Time will tell if they come back up to normal levels on the feeder lakes as the Trent needs a consistent level.

Agreed. One of the senior guys I take fishing has been on Sturgeon since the 60s and never seen the water level as low as it was last week at this time of the year, and no ice left as well. I am sticking to around April 15th all should be around the normal average for that time of year by then. Again fingers crossed. To put it in perspective Sturgeon was below the average depth from 1st week of February up to this past weekend. It will start climbing shortly. Balsam and Cameron are around the average where there should be on this calendar date. The definite problem is the snow is gone and the ice is gone. The run off into the rivers north should bring some much needed water south. Sometimes we have flood warnings in the spring. I have seen water half way up to my friends house right on the Sturgeon shoreline. No flood warnings this year...so far.

Yes, took a while but a lucky day of fishing. Around 50 in total, all the crappie were 9 to 11 inches. My right shoulder is killing me from hundreds of casts. My left shoulder is definitely finished after hundreds of paddles. I turned 60 a few months ago. Must be getting old. L.O.L. Thanks for the comment.

Maybe time to think about a kayak with a pedal drive system. I am on the verge of getting one. Keep the hands free for fishing and saves your upper body from the paddling. Of course that will only be useful if you have buggered up your knees, ankles or hips. It will be interesting to see how well my joints fare in a pedal drive kayak The one I am looking into is light enough that I won't have to trailer it like some of those "death star" pimped up fishing kayaks people have (I am jealous but at the same time, relieved I can't afford so many accessories - there is always something newer and better each year). Only "luxury" is the pedal drive and mainly so I can maintain position with my feet while fishing and keep the hands fishing as much as possible. Ice fishing, the same...I still pop the ice holes manually and walk everywhere. I was considering getting the adapter for powering my auger (since I have a decent enough hammer drill anyway) but this winter hasn't encouraged me to do so. All good exercise as well.

All new level of kayak fishing on the way.

Or maybe luxury bass boat overkill.

Nah thats James 2024.

Arnie