Fall is an exciting and rewarding time for crappie fishing, offering both seasoned and novice anglers the chance to catch some impressive fish. By putting in the groundwork now—conducting thorough research, identifying key locations, utilizing your electronics, using the right gear, and remaining mobile—you’ll set yourself up for a successful...
1. Team member Morgan showing off two fall crappie in our cool casual wear
Author: Nicole Stone
As the water temperatures drop, the fishing starts to heat up. For many anglers, including myself, fall is an exciting opportunity to catch hungry, aggressive fall crappie. In fact, fall crappie fishing usually means the fish congregate, making them easy to find and target. It’s during this time that I often reel in my largest fish. While early ice fishing can also be rewarding, the comfort and convenience of locating crappie in the fall, from a boat, can’t be overstated.
To help you make the most of your fall crappie fishing adventures, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide that covers the essential tips for targeting crappie this season. Not only will these insights improve your success this time of year, but they’ll also lay the groundwork for a successful early ice season. After reading this guide, be sure to grab your favorite DSG gear, and hit the water this fall!
2: Pictured is an example of the MN Lake Finder Fish Surveys
It’s hard to catch fish if your lake doesn’t have many. That’s why before you even hit the water, it’s crucial to research potential fishing spots. Start by checking crappie survey reports specific to your region. For instance, if you’re in Minnesota, the Minnesota Lake Finder website is a fantastic resource. It offers detailed stats and survey reports that highlight lakes with healthy crappie populations. If you are in Wisconsin, the DNR has in-depth reports you can find here. A quick Google Search for fish surveys in your state of residents will yield a variety of options to help you plan a successful trip.
If you are new to crappie fishing, then plan carefully. When selecting a lake, consider size; lakes around 1,000 acres or smaller are often easier to break down and find fish. Choose lakes with a high density of fish, a public access, and of a manageable size before hitting the water.
3: Pictured is a classic fall transition area where fish migrate from shallow structure to deep water.
In the spring, crappie can be found in shallow waters, while summer usually sees them nestled among deeper weeds. However, fall brings a significant shift in their behavior as they begin to congregate in deeper waters as the temperatures cool. During this time look for transitional zones—areas where shallow weedy structures meet deeper basins. These locations are prime spots for finding crappie in the fall.
As the season progresses, you may need to venture deeper—sometimes even 30 feet or more. This is considered basin fishing, and these fish tend to suspend making them easier to detect and target.
Not only do these spots yield great results during fall, but they can also be productive during early ice, making your efforts now even more valuable.
Depending on the temperatures in the days leading up to my trip, I adjust my strategy accordingly. If it’s colder than normal, I start by scanning the deeper areas of transitions first. However, during a warm stretch, fish often move back to shallower waters as it warms up quicker, usually congregating around bait.
4: Pictured is a Live Imaging Screenshot of fall crappies stacked in a basin.
Modern fishing electronics, from basic 2D sonar to LiveScope technology, can significantly boost your success rate when targeting fall crappie. If you possess any of these tools, they should be your number indicator as to if you should drop a line or not. Look for suspended fish marks in the deep water locations you’ve identified. In many lakes, larger and more spaced-out marks often indicate crappie.
For example, 2D sonar is excellent for spotting suspended fish, while down imaging provides a clearer picture, making it easier to distinguish between species. If you’re fortunate enough to have LiveScope, it can offer real-time feedback on how the fish are behaving, giving you a tactical advantage.
If you don’t see any marks, it’s a sign to move on—wasting time in an empty spot is counterproductive. Instead, keep an eye out for those suspended marks and drop your jig when you find them.
5: Team Member Kaitlin Stallard shows off a big fall crappie caught on light gear
When it comes to crappie fishing in the fall, light gear is essential. Ultralight rods and reels allow for better sensitivity, enabling you to detect even the faintest bites. Most importantly they allow you to throw the lightest jigs. Oftentimes during fall, I’ll use my favorite ice jigs, as downsizing helps intrigue bites this time of year. Using lightweight jigs helps you achieve a slower fall rate, which is key to enticing crappie, especially when fish are stacked and competing.
Jigs sized 1/16 to 1/32 can be the rage this time of year. Pair it with wax worms, small plastics or even small crappie minnows to find the best success. Small tungsten or slow falling lead can both be key.
Additionally, remember to set the hook lightly. Overly aggressive hook sets can result in missed fish. When it comes to fall crappie fishing, slow, steady and gentle really is the key.
6: Fall fishings cooler temperatures. Pictured is our Journey Rain jacket - perfect for taking along on those fall trips.
Crappie are constantly on the move, making it essential to stay mobile while fishing. Keeping your trolling motor handy will allow you to adjust your position quickly and efficiently. If you have electronics, utilize them to track schools of fish and identify where they are moving.
Even without advanced technology, frequent adjustments to your location can keep you on the school. Crappie often don’t travel far, so staying on the move will yield better results.
Figure 1: The Harlow 2.0 is perfect for those wet fall days that often yield great fishing.
Fall is an exciting and rewarding time for crappie fishing, offering both seasoned and novice anglers the chance to catch some impressive fish. By putting in the groundwork now—conducting thorough research, identifying key locations, utilizing your electronics, using the right gear, and remaining mobile—you’ll set yourself up for a successful fall fishing season and a productive early ice outing.
The key to success is simply being on the water, and that starts with having the right outerwear. Whether it's a cool day, a rainy outing, or even snow, DSG provides the essential gear you need to stay comfortable and focused, allowing you to spend more time fishing.
Be sure you checkout out entire lineup at DSGouterwear.com
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