To pattern wintertime crappie, look for cover along the thermocline where crappie will be holding. Many lakes "turnover" during the winter months, meaning the coldest water will be on top, and the warmest water will be on the bottom. Crappie will seek warmer, deeper water, preferably with cover. Check the edges of creek and river channels and along stump rows where the warmer water is close to the bottom in the winter.

When fishing during the winter, keep in mind that the metabolism of the crappie has slowed considerably. They won't be willing to chase bait far. So, fish your bait slowly and deep to get bites.

Try trolling very slowly (also called bumping) for crappie in the winter. When bumping, hit your motor just enough to move the boat forward a foot or two at a time. When you troll very slowly, you're dragging your bait right in front of the crappie. That slow-moving treat eventually will provoke the lethargic crappie into biting. If you find crappie, then troll very slowly back and forth over that area to catch more fish.