The third month of the year is one of transition for freshwater fish across the Midwest, and one of the first species to make a move come March is the crappie. With water temperatures dictated by weather and latitude driving their moods, local populations of papermouths may be in any seasonal mode from pre- to post-spawn.

Fishermen who are prepared to probe the depths to a dozen feet deep using appropriate tactics and terminal tackle will have the best chances of hooking up this month.

The key to early-season success is being mobile and coming to the water equipped to take fish at various depths with a variety of baits and lures. When minnows or worms aren't working, switch quickly to colored jigs, small crankbaits or mini plugs as needed. Fish deep and shallow till you find fish, and then settle in to take your limit. If the action is slow, be prepared to move quickly to other spots where the crappies may be more enthusiastic.

Crappie pro Rick Jones and his brother, Bob, have competed on waters across the region for the better part of 15 years.

To remain competitive, the Piqua, Ohio-based siblings have developed strategies for finding and catching Midwest crappies year 'round. One of their favorite months to fish for their soft-mouthed quarry is March, and the Joneses have a rather strict regimen when it comes to approaching crappie-filled waters at this time of year.

FIND THEM FIRST
"Whether it's March or May, finding the fish is half the battle when seeking crappies," Jones said. "March can be a challenging time, depending on the weather and where you are fishing. March 15 may include skim ice and snow while hunting for pre-spawn fish, while the next day may offer shirt-sleeve weather while fishing for hungry post-spawn slabs."

Water temperature is the key to finding crappies that are moving into spawning mode, staging near shallower water and more vulnerable to anglers' attempts to catch them. Team Jones knows that when surface water temperatures hit the mid-50 degree mark, fish will begin to move into shore from water as deep as 30 feet, where the crappies have spent the winter. The fish try to find breaks or structure as deep as conditions allow to overwinter.

Anglers may need to do some exploring to find the best shallow-water areas where water temperatures are at or near the optimum for crappie activity. It pays to stop often to check temperatures at varying depths because some lakes may have hidden spring holes, currents and other variables that can affect water temperatures in spring.

When water temperatures are right, the fish can often be found in depths of 6 to 12 feet or at the first dropoff adjacent to the shallower water they will use for their annual ritual.

"It's the females that make the first move into the shallows," said Jones. "The crappies may not be in big schools yet, but they will travel in small groups with the females going toward the bank first. The males hold out and then move in to guard the nests until the eggs hatch.

"About that time," Jones added, "comes post-spawn, when crappies really put on the feedbag. You want to be on hand for that!"