Where are the Crappie as the lakes cool?

[northfork]

Do the Crappie in Western Wa move out to deeper water as the lake temp drops? How about the Bluegills?
I have just started fishing panfish so this is my first fall.

[Amx]

Yes.

The water will be warmer down deeper away from the cold winds and cold nights. Try 20 to 30 feet just now.

And yes, it can depend on the lake itself, and it's depth, and any cover in the lake.

[northfork]

Will they stay schooled up or spread out?

[Amx]

Both. I think it's not really that cold for them to bunch up tight. But lots of times they'll be bunched up in the summer, that's what they do. I've also seen schools bunched up, with a trailing loose school of fish.

[northfork]

Going to try Rosieger tomorrow for the first time.
I will see if I can locate some suspended fish.
Had good luck with Trout Magnets over in Eastern Wa. Will give them a shot tipped with nibbles or mealworms.

[Larry3215]

Right now they are back in the canals in Silver Lake in Cowlitz county. See my recent report for details.

[Amx]

Those canals are a swamp. No way I'd keep fish from there. The entire lake is bad enough as it's so shallow and too warm during the summer. During the fall and winter the water may be colder, but the fish will still have the swamp 'flavor' and texture.

[Larry3215]

Water temps were 50-51 all over the lake and the water was very stained everywhere - even outside the canals.

We fried ours up and the perch and blue gill tasted fine but the crappie tasted like vaguely fish flavored artificial mashed potatoes with lots of tiny bones mixed in.

If you want to take some kids for epic non-stop catching and you dont mind catching a few hundred 4"-5" perch, thats the place to go. We were literally catching several fish per minute on almost every single cast once we got into the hot spot zone. We were joking that if you didnt have at least 3 nibbles and one fish on after 10 seconds, you better check your bait for weeds or a stick. Seriously - kids would be in heaven