No matter if you called them crappie or calico bass, ice-off on Chautauqua Lake means it’s time to chase some of the tastiest fish Chautauqua Lake has to offer. Not only are they great table fare, but they’re also fun to catch. One thing is also for sure, when you’re crappie fishing, warmer weather is just around the corner.

It may not feel or look like it currently, but we are on the downside of winter weather. The March snowstorm is supposed to drop a bit of snow this weekend, but then temperatures will begin to climb.

There are many things to enjoy about crappie fishing. Whether one is fishing from shore or boat, it’s always a great time to take a youngster out and enjoy some nonstop bobber action.

While there are many great areas to fish on the lake, I enjoy looking for the next honey hole. One of the many things we discovered over the years is that in the spring crappies make shallow water migrations to feed and later to spawn.

One good thing about this fishing is that some of the shallow areas they migrate to are accessible by shore anglers. Marinas, canals, and shallow bays warm quickly in the spring drawing crappies. Some of these spots are ones anglers can access without a boat.

Easy access to fishing spots is one advantage of spring crappie angling. Another is that the peak bite in some of these spots is often right before dark, meaning a quick end-of-the-day trip can often be very productive.

Not only is spring crappie location often a pretty simple affair, but so is the presentation that catches these fish. A small jig — 1/64- or 1/32-ounce — fished below a slip or lighted bobber tipped with a crappie minnow is a favorite. A pink/white or glow green jog head tipped with a small, but very lively crappie minnow, is a favorite crappie set-up. Adding a 1-inch tube jig with tinsel tails will give off a fish scale flash that really attracts spring crappies. A small split shot added about a foot above the jig completes the system, and on windy days it can help. I like the pink/white color jig combination for daytime fishing, switching to the glow green color during low-light conditions.

Regardless of which jig is chosen, a crucial factor in making this simple system the most effective is the use of the right bobber. The Super-Pro Lite-Bite Slip Bobbers are awesome tools for this fishing. They have hi-vis stems that can be seen easily in low light. Not only that, but the bobber stems have Slip-N-Slide grommets allowing the line to slide through with minimal resistance helping anglers catch light biters. Their sleek pear shape also helps anglers in bite detection.

The final component of this presentation revolves around the right rod/reel/line combination. Small jigs fished below bobbers fish well on light line. I’ve often wavered between 4- and 6-pound test monofilament, feeling I get more bites on the 4-pound test, but being leery of breaking off a slab crappie on the way to the boat when using this line size.

A longer rod — 6- to-7-foot — light action spinning rod and reel combination completes my spring crappie set-up. This combination allows for long casts, which allow anglers to cover lots of water in my search of likely crappie haunts.

When looking for new water to fish, look for protected, sun-drenched, shallow-water areas. They’re comfortable, bustling with activity, and well-stocked with hors-d’oeuvres-bait fish for crappie. This is because they’re the first areas to warm after ice-out. Spots on the northern side of a lake or pond can be particularly good as they receive the most sunshine and are protected from cold, north winds.

To go a step further, look for soft, dark-bottom areas. Like solar panels, these zones absorb the sun’s energy. Dirty water and decaying plant materials can have a similar heat-soaking effect. Don’t get put off by the muddy appearance this is ground-zero for the feeding festivities.

The abundant sunlight that bays, creeks and canals receive increases their water temperature and stimulates the food chain. Plants grow and give off oxygen. Aquatic insects also get rambunctious as fly hatches loom in the near future. In turn, the boom in food and warmer water attracts baitfish. Crappie follow, moving shallow to chow-down on invertebrates and minnows.

I think of bays in a nautical sense when it comes to spring crappie. These are sanctuaries hidden from winds and open water. On blustery days these inlets are relatively tranquil. Not all bays are created equal though when it comes to alluring crappie.

The winter’s snow and ice will have pushed over a lot of their stalks, and the results provide prime cover for crappie and a multitude of insects and minnows. Add some sunken or standing wood and the area’s even better. Healthy weeds are always good to find in coves. They attract crappies and their forage alike.

Several different types of canals are paradise for crappie in spring. One type is constructed to expand waterfront property and create sheltered docking space for landowners. Another is a trench created for agriculture irrigation. Bullrushes, stumps, healthy weeds and old dock pilings will all hold fish in these dugouts. As always, make sure you have permission before heading down the shoreline of canals.

While calm, sunny days encourage crappie to move shallow, weather fronts do the opposite and push fish out. The good news is they rarely go far. Look for fish near habitat features, like a weed edge, a standing tree in deep water, or a drop off.

The first couple weeks of spring crappie fishing can be fantastic. To boost your catches, position yourself on the prime real estate. If you never fished for ice off crappie, do yourself a favor and give it a try. Remember to always check with the New York State Fishing Regulations Guide for season dates and creel limits.

If you are heading out on the water with a boat, do yourself a favor and make sure you have done your rundown so there aren’t any problems on the water. Last I knew, AAA doesn’t come out on the lake to tow boats back in.