If that happens during the pre-spawn and a warming trend follows, fishing crappie right on the bank can be a really good bet, even if it’s a little ahead of the usual time and conditions when most crappie get in their spawning mode. Newly available habitat tends to pull all kinds of predator fish into places that may provide them with new food sources. In spring, most all fish -- including crappie-- are in a big hurry to eat better, finally, and many times, where they find it is on new ground beneath them.

“Most of the time, we don’t think about the less fertile lakes in the east as being good for crappie,” Frey said. “But Fishtrap and Buckhorn have had the right conditions lately to improve that fishery. This spring is a good time to take advantage of what’s there.”

The Kentucky waters highlighted here are by no means the only good places to find quality crappie fishing, but the local biologists in various regions of the state choose them as some top picks to consider.

While fishing the spawning run is traditionally productive, all the experts and anglers in the know will say that in recent years, some of the best and biggest crappie have been caught a month or more before the time of the spawn.

Many anglers wait until April to make their move and start fishing. Though the weather may be a little more agreeable, consider spending a little time on pre-spawn crappie at any of these recommended lakes.

Fish creek or main lake ledges in eight to 15 feet of water where crappie will stack up waiting for the warm-up and nesting time.

If there is a warming period, even in the latter part of February and into March, it will trigger crappie to feed. Sometimes if it lasts a week, they will run in to very shallow bank cover for a day or two, and move back out when it cools back down. Often, they are just a little farther off the bank in March, and will still bite as the winter’s slow-down period gives way to the more active period of spring.

Lastly, the KDFWR publishes an update on all the major fisheries at the main reservoirs, usually in late January or early February. This report will include what they find and give you the most recent information about where 2008’s best fishing opportunities for all sport species will be. For that report, call the agency toll-free at 1-800-858-1549, or go online at fw.ky.gov There will likely be even more places worth a shot this spring for the papermouth chaser who’s champing at the bit to start the spring fishing season off right.