Often, the most and biggest crappie in any lake will be found in the creeks in the middle of the lake. The water temperature in that section of a lake is usually the most stable. Generally, the water in the middle may be somewhat stained. Because the middle of the lake is more stable, the crappie in that area may grow more quickly and to larger sizes. This is because they are somewhat protected from adverse water and weather conditions.

When looking at these mid-lake creeks, choose an area with a entrance about 30-feet deep. Try to locate creek channels that drop off from 10 to 18 feet, since these channels serve as natural highways for the crappie.

During the spawn and in warm weather, the crappie will use these channels to move to shallow water and then return to that 10- to 18-foot-deep water when the spawn ends, or the cold weather returns. Too, baitfish like to travel these channels.