Is fall a good time for crappie?
In general, yes. Many anglers consider fall one of the better times of year to catch crappie. As water cools, crappie tend to feed actively and form larger groups, and baitfish such as shad are often concentrated, which pulls crappie toward them. The challenge is that the fish move around a lot, so success depends on finding where they have gone.
Fall conditions vary by region, and “early fall” in one state may look like “late summer” in another. Think in terms of water temperature and baitfish location, not strictly the month.
Where crappie move through the fall
A useful way to think about it is as a gradual shift.
Early fall
Water is still warm, and crappie are often still near their summer areas, though many begin moving toward baitfish. You may find them:
- Around brush piles, docks, and standing timber in moderate depths
- On points and channel edges
- In and around creek arms where baitfish gather
Early morning and evening can be best while temperatures are still warm. If you are wondering how to catch crappie in September, this is the phase in question. Try fishing minnows or small jigs around cover at middle depths and adjust until you find the fish.
Mid fall
As water cools further, baitfish often move into creeks and coves, and crappie may follow. Shallower flats, creek channels, and the backs of coves can hold fish. Schools may roam, so covering water with a slow trolling or casting approach can help find them. Once you locate a school, slow down and fish it thoroughly.
Late fall
With colder water, crappie commonly shift toward deeper cover again, such as deeper brush piles, channel edges, bridge pilings, and creek channels. Vertical presentations, slower speeds, and smaller baits tend to matter more. This pattern leads naturally into winter, which we cover in is crappie fishing good in the winter.
Baits for fall crappie
- Minnows: A dependable choice in nearly every season, and especially suited to fall when crappie are focused on baitfish. Fish them under a float or on a light jig head.
- Small jigs: Tubes, grubs, and small shad-style soft plastics in roughly 1/32 to 1/8 ounce. Colors that imitate shad, such as white, silver, or pearl, are popular, along with chartreuse accents.
- Small crankbaits or spinners: Useful for covering water when schools are roaming.
Match your bait size to the baitfish in the lake. If the forage is small, a small bait generally makes sense.
If you are new to crappie tackle, see our beginner crappie guide for rods, line, and basic rigs.
Finding schools in the fall
- Follow the bait. Birds, surface activity, and baitfish showing on a depth finder often point to crappie nearby.
- Use electronics if you have them. Sonar can show suspended fish and brush that holds them.
- Start where you found fish last time and work outward to nearby depths and cover.
- Cover water, then slow down. Trolling or casting small jigs can locate fish, and vertical jigging can catch them once found.
Do crappie spawn twice a year?
Crappie are primarily spring spawners. Some anglers report seeing a small number of fish with signs of spawning activity in fall, but it is generally not considered a significant second spawn. It is safest to treat spring as the main spawning period and to base your fall plan on baitfish and water temperature instead.
Does crappie fishing continue into winter?
Yes. Crappie can be caught through the winter, typically in deeper water or through the ice in colder regions. Fall is a good time to practice finding the deeper cover where they will later spend the winter. For the other end of the cold season, see crappie fishing at ice out.
Tips for better fall trips
- Keep an eye on the weather. Stable conditions are often better than the day after a big front.
- Be ready to move. Fall fish are mobile.
- Change depth first before changing baits.
- Dress in layers, and wear a life jacket if you are in a boat, since cold water is a real hazard.
- Check local regulations for limits and sizes.