CLEVELAND, Ohio — The redbud and dogwood trees are blossoming in their welcome spring colors, and anglers know that can trigger a trip to Ohio lakes to fish for crappies, a tasty panfish.
Crappies move to shallow spawning areas in dozens of Ohio lakes when May rolls around, and the daily bag limit on most lakes is a generous 30 crappie at least 9 inches in length. Many are caught from shoreline, but most limits are harvested while anchoring or drifting while in a boat. Right now, target 8 to 12 feet of water while dunking jigs suspended under a float and baited with colorful plastic tails or minnows.
The Pymatuning Lake Crappie Madness Brawl is on now through July 10, with weekly big fish prizes and the grand prize of a Smokercraft boat and trailer…