Mid-season flowage crappie?

I’m going to Lake Alice near Tomahawk Wisconsin. It will be my first time on Lake Alice, and first time ever fishing a flowage. I’m not able to find much information on the lake. I cannot find an “official” map, but have found a couple of hand drawn bait shop type maps that will give me some pointers. I know there are a ton of stumps in the lake, but I’ve never really targeted ice crappie on shallow structure. It looks like 20’ will be the deepest water I will be fishing. My plan is to find the old river channel, and try to follow that around the lake. Looking for steep drop-offs near wood, and I usually search with a rattle bait (either spoon or rippin rap). Is there a better plan?

I don’t mind drilling and searching…..I just want to go in with some type of plan.

Thanks,
Mark

Sounds like a good plan!!! Always solid if you can get close to the channels and especially wood/rock/weed!!!

Mark

My family grew up just west of there, Alice, Spirit, and Mohawksin is very near and dear to me. In fact my first “fishing” picture is me in a basket in a diaper under an umbrella. So I’m sure you understand that i’m pretty tight lipped on specifics.

Crappies won’t be in the river channel – but is slack water very near by. You can sub-divide that entire system into about 9 or 10 different “lakes”. From there, look for the depth range you need and timber on the bottom. Crappies will suspend
over the timber or use it as a current break.

Good luck. There are monster crappies in that system, please respect them.

Thanks! That will definitely help me narrow down my search. I’ve been reading some old reports, and now at least have a better idea of what to expect. However, I have not read anything about water clarity…….will I be able to use a camera to find weeds/timber?

No crappie will be harmed…..offering them free wax worms just for a picture!

My time up there years ago…. water wasn’t really clear enough for good use of the camera. Sort of like tea stained? One of the most beautiful parts of the state for sure…

Aquatic Arts bait shop in Tomahawk was helpful back at the time. They also had some rough maps of most of the water up there.

I live a half hour from there and avoid it weekends most people fish between Anglers Ave and Horseshoe Lane where you’ll find a small village of shacks. Ice is around 20” and everyone is driving out on plowed ice roads. Also the Lake association is having their tournament this Saturday and that attracts a lot of people that don’t fish(ATVs snowmobiles and vehicle traffic) basically it’s a zoo. Good luck.

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Thanks! We will be arriving after the tournament, and staying on the extreme east side of the lake. I know the “easiest” way to find the fish is look for a crowd, but I typically avoid crowds, and hope to eke out a few crappie without entering the ice village….. Hopefully a couple BIG girls got lost on the way to the village.