Crappie Fishing in Union Springs, NY

Crappie fishing around Union Springs centers on Cayuga Lake and its associated bays and coves. These panfish thrive in areas with submerged structure like docks, fallen trees, and weed beds. Spring is prime time, as crappie move into the shallows to spawn when water temperatures reach the 60s. Look for them in protected coves and backwaters. Small jigs tipped with minnows or tube baits are highly effective. During the summer, crappie often move to deeper water near structure, so try fishing with a slip bobber or vertically jigging around submerged trees. In the fall, they can be found staging near drop-offs and channels. A productive area is the northern end of Cayuga Lake near Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Be sure to check the local fishing regulations for creel limits and size restrictions. A fish finder can be invaluable for locating schools of crappie.