(14)Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be moderately active with peak fishing times around 2-4 PM. SEE MORE
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Crappie spawn on Shabbona Lake during late April and May in shallow, 1 to 6-foot waters, specifically targeting man-made fish cribs, submerged timber, and brush piles, especially in the North East Bay and near the No Motor Zone (NMZ). Key areas to find them include shallow coves, rocky shorelines, and areas with submerged trees, where they lay eggs on hard structures. Outdoor Illinois Journal +5
Key Locations:Fish Cribs: The numerous, marked fish cribs around the lake are premier spawning spots, with fish often caught right on top of them.Standing Timber: The shallow standing timber, particularly in the northern parts of the lake, is excellent for spawning, according to Game & Fish.North East Bay/NMZ: The Northwest Bay (or NMZ) is noted for having large, shallow weed beds and is a known hotspot, particularly around the drainage ditch areas, as described in Shabbona Lake State Park's ice fishing reports.Sheltered Coves: Shallow, warm bays protected from the wind.Timing & Conditions: Crappie move shallow when water temperatures reach the high 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit.Techniques: In early spring, fish in 17+ feet of water, moving to shallow, 2-3 foot, sunny locations as the water warms, say reports on Shabbona Lake. Using minnows or jigs around brush and timber is highly effective, as recommended by Outdoor Illinois. Not sure I would call the No Motor Zone the northwest bay. One thing it doesn’t mention is crappie will also spawn near any shallow type of rocky areas like a lot of Shabbona’s shoreline. This would include any of the rock piles created in the lake
Key Locations:Fish Cribs: The numerous, marked fish cribs around the lake are premier spawning spots, with fish often caught right on top of them.Standing Timber: The shallow standing timber, particularly in the northern parts of the lake, is excellent for spawning, according to Game & Fish.North East Bay/NMZ: The Northwest Bay (or NMZ) is noted for having large, shallow weed beds and is a known hotspot, particularly around the drainage ditch areas, as described in Shabbona Lake State Park's ice fishing reports.Sheltered Coves: Shallow, warm bays protected from the wind.Timing & Conditions: Crappie move shallow when water temperatures reach the high 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit.Techniques: In early spring, fish in 17+ feet of water, moving to shallow, 2-3 foot, sunny locations as the water warms, say reports on Shabbona Lake. Using minnows or jigs around brush and timber is highly effective, as recommended by Outdoor Illinois. Not sure I would call the No Motor Zone the northwest bay. One thing it doesn’t mention is crappie will also spawn near any shallow type of rocky areas like a lot of Shabbona’s shoreline. This would include any of the rock piles created in the lake
Fished the North end trees and shoreline on 4/22. Water temp was 62° Caught 6 bluegill and 1 catfish jigging 1.5" Gulp and other "crappie plastics". If anyone, can give me some pointers of where Crappie move post spawn in this lake, I'd be incredibly grateful. This is my 3rd year I've been fishing from a kayak on Shabbona and I can't find the Crappie.
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