Crystal Lake (84)
Published: Updated:
Crystal Lake (84) Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Crystal Lake (84). Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
Filter by
All Species
All Seasons
Sort by
Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
- Species
WalleyeTechniqueIce Fishing JigsSeasonIceStructureHumpsWalleye action off the hump, just past the island. Jigging in 14-20 fow, tipped with minnow head. Action is relatively slow, but there are quality fish if you are patient. They seem to want a more subtle approach, not too aggressive with your cadence.
- Species
Largemouth BassTechniqueDrop ShotSeasonSummerStructureSubmerged Vegetation 
BreshBronze AmbassadorSpecies
Panfish / BluegillTechniqueIce Fishing JigsSeasonIceStructureSubmerged VegetationGood bluegill and crappie numbers with small tungsten jigs just west by nw of the island. Fish were stacked in 14' of water at dusk. Very few keeper size but fun fishing.
- Species
CrappieTechniqueBobbersSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureSubmerged VegetationThe crappies and sunfish are beginning to migrate into the shallow main lake bays with current water temps in the Upper 40s to Low 50s. You will find them in submerged weed lines in 8-10 FOW using small jigs/plastics, or live bait, under a float. Suspend you baits 2-3' off bottom for best results.
- SpeciesPanfish / BluegillTechniqueCrappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureSubmerged Vegetation
Early spring conditions, typically April right after ice out. Look for crappies and panfish in shallow bays and canals. Target areas near shallow cattails, emerging grass and old lily pad roots. Target fish by either casting or power corking small 1/16oz jigs tipped with small curly tail plastics in shallow water and around weed edges and clumps. Slow roll the jigs or lift and fall retrieves with small twitches to get jig to jump out of grass. Move around until you find active fish. Quiet and stealth goes a long way with boat control this time of year.
SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueIce Fishing JigsSeasonIceStructureSubmerged VegetationSlow bite, but managed to ice a couple of really nice fish, including this chunky 24”er. Set up on a submerged weed line in 14 fow. Nothing fancy, just a jig and a minnow head. They were hugging tight to the bottom. Good luck!
SpeciesCrappieTechniqueIce Fishing SpoonsSeasonIceStructureOpen Water/BasinCrappie bite was steady and had to sift through a lot of 7-9” crappies. There were some really nice fish mixed in there including this 13”er and a 15”+ that I lost at the hole…… The hot bait was any ice spoon that glows tipped with a minnow head. Deeper hole in about 16 fow. Tight lines!
- SpeciesCrappieTechniqueCrappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureSubmerged Vegetation
Searching for pods of crappie on FFS on weed edges 6-8' casting with Ultralight spinning combo and slow reeling tiny swimbaits, crappies, bluegills and occasional bass
