All of the lakes feature a lot of structure, weeds, and shallow coves and bays that attract spring crappies.

"The crappie fishing is really good right after ice-out, which usually is right around April 1st," said Durecki. Minnows are naturally a hands-down favorite for the specks, but Pinkie Jigs can be productive, too.

For live bait, tackle, and fishing reports, contact Tom's Bait & Tackle at (231) 536-3521. A good map book for locating just about any lake in Michigan is available by contacting Sportsman's Connection at 1-800- 777-7461, or you can go online to www.sportsmanconnection.com.

MANISTEE LAKE
"I would have to say that Manistee Lake in Kalkaska County is one of the better crappie lakes in our district," claimed DNR fisheries biologist Mark Tonello. "Like most of our crappies lakes, these are not trophy lakes. The specks will average 9 to 10 inches, but fish in the 13- to 14-inch range are common."

Manistee Lake, at 860 acres, is not deep. The deepest spot is on the south end and only drops to 18 feet. Crappies can be found anywhere around the subtle contour breaks and weedlines that exemplify the lake, but in the spring, slab crappies definitely relate to the shallow, marshy south-facing north end. Try near Inlet Bay, Northeast Bay and Northwest Bay, and around Hook Point. Another hotspot in the spring is West Bay. Check out the 2- to 4-foot depths and then work deeper. A public access is located on the south end of the lake.

Like crappies everywhere, specks on Manistee Lake love minnows. You can fish them on a plain hook or hooked through the lips on a small jig. Small 1/16- or 1/32-ounce twistertails in white, yellow or chartreuse are good bets, too. The scent-enhanced varieties seem to work exceptionally well.

For bait, tackle and fishing reports on Manistee Lake, contact Jack's Sport Shop at (231) 258-8892.

LAKES CADILLAC & MITCHELL
"Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell are not your typical crappie lakes," claimed DNR fisheries biologist Mark Tonello, "but there sure are a lot of crappies in them."

While crappies up to 15 inches are not unheard of in either Mitchell or Cadillac, the typical specks generally run more in the 9- to 10-inch range. Springtime is the best time to fill a bucket with them.

Unlike crappies in most lakes, specks on lakes Mitchell and Cadillac feed a lot on aquatic insects. Both lakes are filled with shrimp-like creatures called amphipods, and crappies love them. Because of this, you may have better luck with larva like wax worms, spikes or mousies during the open-water season than you would on most lakes. But Mitchell and Cadillac crappies still have a hard time turning up their noses at a lively minnow.

Expect hot spring crappie action on Lake Mitchell in both Big Cove and Little Cove right after ice-out. The coves are shallow and receive a lot of springtime sunshine, which attracts minnows and jumpstarts insect life there.