According to Shane Ward, a well-known fisherman in the area, "Small jigs colored pink and white are the hot ticket for limit catches. My favorite is a white jig with pink feathers, a 1/64-ounce Little Nipper made by Lindy Little Joe. Northland Tackle makes some fantastic crappie jigs, too, and my top choices are the Firefly and Gypsy jigs. When the water is stained, I prefer a larger lure like the Beetle Spin or a small tube jig and small plastic tail that quivers like an injured baitfish and excites crappies into slamming the offering."

One of the best places on the pond is South Mitchell Creek outlet. This is a spot where Ward has seen anglers hauling slabs on a consistent basis. Other hotspots include stumpfields, fallen trees or submerged vegetation that is thick enough to draw crappies in the mood for romance.

Hardy has a reputation for catches of large perch, bass and northern pike.

For more information, contact the Central Lake Michigan Management Unit at (231) 775-9727

TIPPY DAM POND
"Don't overlook the great crappie fishing available above Tippy Dam, a large pond that supports some of the best inland warmwater fishing in the area. I've seen anglers pulling limits of slab crappies from the Pine River arm and consistent catches from the many points and bays that are highlighted by fallen trees partially submerged that create ideal crappie spawning habitat," Tonello said.

Tippy Pond is a huge impoundment on the world-famous Big Manistee River that covers 1,550 acres with a multitude of coves, winding rivers, hidden pools and fish-holding structure.

Contact the Central Lake Michigan Management Unit for more information at (231) 775-9727.

LAKE OVID
"Sleepy Hollow State Park is highlighted by Lake Ovid, which is one of the best crappie lakes in my region," reports fisheries biologist Kregg Smith. "Good catches come from the deep water found close to the dam and along a stumpfield located between the island and the west shore."

Smith said the north end of the lake is thick, bordered by deep water, and along these beds is where you will find crappies during spring. The south end of the lake has crappies, too, but fast-growing weeds and shallow water support a short fishing season.

"My favorite crappie technique is sight-fishing using polarized sunglasses to spot fish and dropping a tiny jig tipped with a live minnow in their faces," explained Jose Rios, a Lake Ovid regular. Rios takes his kids fishing with him on a weekly basis and the group has a technique that catches big crappies and a lot of them.

"I use my custom-made steelhead rods 10- to 12-foot long with 6l-pound clear fluorocarbon line spooled on spinning reels," Rios said. "By standing in a 14-foot boat, I can locate hotspots, see fish and flip my offering on the exact spot where slab crappies will glide upward to the fall¬ing bait and gulp the quivering minnow. When the sky is overcast, or wind puts ripples on the water, I switch to a light bobber and drift my minnow presentation in productive pockets of clear water found in the center of weed patches."

Lake Ovid covers 412 acres in Clinton County. The lake is shallow and full of weeds. Deep water is found north of the boat launch. Lake Ovid is a popular bluegill lake and you can also catch muskies and bass.

There is a boat ramp on the west side and a no-wake restriction is in place. For more information, contact the Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit at (269) 685-6851.