Next to Spring, Fall can be the most productive time to be out on the lake fishing for Crappie. The water is cooling off and Crappie feed more and more aggressive. Crappie fishing in the Fall is some of the most enjoyable and fruitful fishing of the year.

As the water cools off in the Fall, hungry Crappie move from their deep water Summer hangouts to the cooler water of the shallows as they follow baitfish toward the shore. It’s not uncommon to find Fall Crappie as shallow as 1 or 2 feet deep along a bank in the Fall. Once the first few cold fronts of the year move in, start looking for Fall Crappie near the first drop off away from the bank.

Fall Crappie can be difficult to pin down in the Fall when they scatter to feed. I like to use multiple rods with slip corks fishing jigs or minnows at a variety of depths until I find the Crappie. One I start catching fish at a certain depth, I then will set all my rods to fish that depth.

When is the best Crappie fishing in the Fall? Just before a big cold front is too hit your area. I’ve seen Crappie turn on as far as a week before a cold front was suppose to hit. However, you’ll likely see an increase of feeding activity a few days before a Major front is expected to blow into your area.

As the front passes, expect the Crappie to move back off the bank, possibly as far back to their deep water drop off.

If you’re having trouble finding Fall Crappie after a cold front. Slow down your presentation and use smaller jigs or minnows. Post cold front Crappie won’t chase bait very far, so make sure you put it right in front of their face. If you find them holding over a break or drop off, use a tightline approach to target feeding Crappie.

Typically the cold temps after a Fall front doesn’t last long. As the days warm up, you’ll find the Crappie moving back shallow again. If the water is still a little cool, then start your search on a South facing bank and work your way out.

South winds can blow baitfish against the shore, presenting easy pickings for hungry Crappie. Use a Spider Rig or a Float and Jig rig to target these fish and fill your live well! Floats and jigs can be fished faster than minnows, plus since there is not rebaiting, you can keep your jigs in the water longer, catching more fish.

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