Best area lake?

[hydro]

You're right, Clearwater is a great crappie lake, but it can be tough to fish because of the huge amount of structure.

My recommendation would be Buffalo due to the ease of access and large areas that you can find fish early in the year. There is a bait shop right downtown that can give you some tips on where to start looking.

[Guest]

Hydro is quite correct -- It takes years to learn Clearwater, and then you get surprised almost daily.

However, the up side of ice fishing is the fact you can usually see where the action is in daylight hours. Stop at BJs bait shop and ask what's going on. You can access the lake there anyway (for a fee).

[Iron Cowboy]

Just wondering what everyone thinks is the best lake in the wright county area for the crappies once the ice is thick enough to get out on with an A.T.V ? If its too thin to hold that I'll stay home. I am new to the area, but my best guess would probably be Clearwater? Due to its size it should be able to handle heavy fishing pressure and still put out good numbers of fish. Like I said, just a guess, what does everyone think?

[Fathead]

Hello all,

Clearwater definetely produces crappies that are gems. I prefer this lake over most. You may want to check out Waverly as well. Fish the West end out from the cemetery. Last year we iced very nice crappies in December and January. You will also pick up eyes as well. The average size we caught last year was around 10" (not bad). This is a very easy lake to fish, and not much structure on the west side.

[bturck]

Fathead: Are you referring to Big or Little Waverly? Was able to pull up info on Little but Big Waverly would not load any info. thanks

[Fathead]

Bturck,

I was referring to Big Waverly in my last post. Sorry about the delay in response. I have been out of the loop the past 2 weeks.

[1Yogi]

I would agree with Clayton, while Clearwater is Full of good structure to fish like any big water it always is full of surprises. I have been fishing there since the late 60's and last year the high water got me skunked more than once. Ice fishing it is still some what of a mystery to me.

[hydro]

The high water last summer has probably changed quite a few patterns. The high water in the summer of 1983 permanently shifted many crappie patterns in the east basin. Several of my reliable crappie spots never again produced a fish in the winter.