According to the woodchuck, spring should be arriving any day now. Earlier this past week as I was heading out the door, I actually heard a few birds singing. This past Sunday while taking a little drive we saw a few turkeys in a couple fields. For me this is a sure sign that spring is not far off.

While the winter in our part of the world has not been the worst in regards to snowfall and cold temperatures, it looks to be that the worst of the weather is behind us.

The month of March means many different things to different folks. Between strolling around your property to see how it survived the winter months to thinking about uncovering the boat. In my house we have developed a good balance of both. Projects that must get done and those that wait until June. While nothing gets done in my house during the months of April and May, March is important to get a jump on those that cannot wait till early summer.

Over the years we have discussed on these pages the importance of what many folks call “ice-out.” Those two words to an angler mean that time they spent getting ready for fishing season is about to start.

While trout season kicks off on April 1, anglers have already been on the water by that time. In March, the state will begin to stock local ponds and streams, weather permitting. Later in the month is when the majority of the stocking takes place, but the folks at the hatchery are busy getting ready.

A little side note: If you really want to spend a good afternoon in the outdoors, take a short drive east on I-86, get off at the Randolph exit and visit the Randolph Fish Hatchery. It’s a great time for the kids to listen to conversation at its finest and to also give you an idea of the quality of work that goes on at the hatchery.

We are blessed and spoiled by the great populations of bluegill, perch and slab crappies which swarm the shallow waters in the lakes and ponds every spring in our part of the country. These fish, among many other species, will be feeding heavily and actively roaming their spawning areas.

Once March rolls around, the days get longer and the sun begins to warm the shallows. This is Mother Nature giving them the signal to let the games begin. These fish can provide fast action and are excellent table fare, putting them at the top of the hit list for many spring anglers.

These fish generally will spawn in similar areas year after year. For anglers who have familiarized themselves with these honey holes, one can usually find them quite easily.

As soon as the ice is out, water temperatures are usually in the high 30s. This is a challenging time for most anglers as the “ice-out transition,” as I call it, can be a perplexing period. The water is cold and the metabolism of the fish is still very slow, so these waters should also be fished very slowly. Many anglers make the mistake of fishing ice-out the same way they would fish in May, for example, when water temperatures are in the 50s..

The bobbers and minnows come out, make a few casts, move here and there and come back to the dock empty handed. The reason is the fish are still in “ice mode.” We fish the same tiny jigs if it were late ice, as the smaller lures are what they want when the water is still in the low 40s.

As the water warms, the best bites will progress to a plastics/fathead minnow and jig presentation, as the metabolism of the fish will speed up and get them chasing more aggressive baits. Fish these waters very slowly, letting it sit for a long period before moving it.

While it is easy sometimes to “shake off” perch and blue while going for crappie, do not be so quick to do that. Oftentimes during the early part of the season – depending on water temperatures – they will trigger the crappie bite. Also, this is when some of the biggest bluegill and perch are being caught.

The key to early season fishing is finding warmer water. This will happen in shallower water, close to structures. On Chautauqua, this could be a rocky point on the west side of the lake or weed beds.

On more than one occasion, we have caught a limit of crappie midday around the bridge. The sun has warmed the water and they like the natural structure in the bridge pilings.

Keep in mind while looking for crappie during this time of year, it’s best to find the warmest water possible. Now, with that said, how do we do that?

As you launch your boat, check the temperature at the launch. Chances are that it will be some of the warmest water in the lake, because it’s shallowest there. As you are motoring out, keep an eye on the depth and water temperatures. This will help you find which depth offers which temperatures.

While most boats are only reading surface temperatures, it gives you a guide to go by when scouting. There is that word again, scouting. I love to scout, whether it’s on land or the water. Finding new areas that hold game or fish is exciting to me.

When scouting on the water, it’s best to have some form of a game plan. Pick an area or bay that you want to scout. Narrow the area down to shore, shallow or deep. When looking for crappie this time of year it’s best to stay in shallow water. Having this knowledge will allow you to scout out new sections of a given area.

Remember, we are looking for crappie here, so look for water temperatures, structure and depth. If you have the option to highlight your new areas on boat electronics, great. If not, make them on a map, or if you really want to go old school, use the triangle method.

Next week we will talk about some tricks and tackle techniques.