Crappies in the Adirondacks?

[ChenBassHead]

I'm really looking forward to getting on the ice this year.  Last year, I really started to fish for crappies at night...but that was at home. This year I'm here at Paul Smith's College, and I can't seem to find any places up here that have any. I've checked the DEC contour maps, and they don't list any places here in Franklin County with crappies...but I know from experience at home that just because they don't list them, doesn't mean they aren't there!  So my question is, are there any lakes or ponds in the Franklin County area where I can catch some? or am I pretty much going to be limited to catching them at home? I see that in Essex County there are a few places, but they're on the far (Lake Champlain) side of the county, which is quite the trip with no car (relying on friends with cars). Any info at all would be appreciated. Thanks! 

-Zach

[Chucker]

Few and far between up there.  I distinctly remember being told that the little pond on the east side of Saranac right next to 86 had crappies, but it's a tiny pond, and 100% posted.  Other than that, you've got some driving ahead of you.

[coldbum]

I think I remeber someone posting about crappie in the king?

[camo_fish]

I think I remeber someone posting about crappie in the king?

there are some nice crappies in George, but difinatly need to know what rock to look under to find that needle in a haystack. 

[Fishmon]

Brant Lake and Paradox Lake can be good at times.  Hard to find them since they suspend in winter and both lakes are fairly large with lots of potential areas to explore.  Electronics are a necessity.

[dwayne]

Brant Lake and Paradox Lake can be good at times.  Hard to find them since they suspend in winter and both lakes are fairly large with lots of potential areas to explore.  Electronics are a necessity.

Paradox and Brant are both good choices but they would be a bit of a ride from Paul Smith college.  Zach, you would be better to head over to Black Lake or any of the indian river lakes for some good crappie fishing if you want to drive for a couple of hours.

[Chucker]

Paradox and Brant are both good choices but they would be a bit of a ride from Paul Smith college.  Zach, you would be better to head over to Black Lake or any of the indian river lakes for some good crappie fishing if you want to drive for a couple of hours.

Actually, I think Brant or Paradox would be closer time-wise.

[AugustWest]

I have got them in Meacham, right up the road from you. This was just this past Labor Day week. I know it was soft water, never the less they were crapies. I do not know about access in the winter though 
Anyways, they were at the south end in the only part of the lake that supports weeds. Not much structure other than that. There are some really nice Jumbos in there too. I know there is an old roadway off the road where the stream emptys out of the lake(south end). I am sure it is used hard by snowmobilers, and that might be worth investigating, and saving you one heck of a walk from the north end.

[AdkIceman]

You sure you caught crappies in Meacham?, I have been fishing that lake on hard and soft water for last three years and have never caught a crappie, I am not doubting you just wondering?

[ChenBassHead]

Well, looks like I'm going to have to wait until I get a vehicle, or limit my crappie fishing to home  ... Thanks guys!

-Zach

[AugustWest]

You sure you caught crappies in Meacham?, I have been fishing that lake on hard and soft water for last three years and have never caught a crappie, I am not doubting you just wondering?

I was as surprised as you seem to be. I go up there to camp 1-2 times a year, and was discouraged by the lack of bottom structure, so I headed to the north end the past 2 times up there, and fished with slipbobbers and maribou jigs tipped with minnows for perch. I got some nice perch 9-12 inches and about a 1/2 doz crappies all cookie cutter 10 inches. I asked the DEC that run the campgrounds and they kind of shrugged their shoulders and said "they could be in here, maybe by an outside influence". I didn't inquire more because it made my weekend.

[dwayne]

Actually, I think Brant or Paradox would be closer time-wise.

Time wise closer yes, but quality of crappie fishing is night and day in comparison.  Why drive 1.5 hours to have mediocre at best crappie fishing when you can drive 2 hours and be in superb crappie fishing? 

[dogfish]

Chucker is talking about Turtle pond.  They say there are Crappie in there and maybe if you knock on the door the people might let you fish it? 
Crappie in Meacham?? man I use to fish that hard and have a buddy from Malone that still does at times, never heard of a calico coming out of there???  If there are that would not be to far for ya Z but not walking distance.  If you got no ride in Paul Smiths you better be fishing northerns in St R. or Osgood pond.
Dogfish

[AugustWest]

BOY YOU GUYS ARE TOUGH! I didn't think a keyboard could stutter
I fish for crappies about 65% of the time I fish, and I know what one looks like, especially 6 of them

[esox slayer]

I know this is an old post...but I'm familiar with paul Smiths area and Black Lake isn't that far away..try Mile Arm bay there and you'll have success, Black Lake is full of them and they seem to stack up there on the south end of the lake at Mile arm.....check out a Black Lake map and you'll see where Mile arm is.....

[oldken]

BOY YOU GUYS ARE TOUGH! I didn't think a keyboard could stutter
I fish for crappies about 65% of the time I fish, and I know what one looks like, especially 6 of them

  hi august west i live only about 15 miles from meachum i fish it a lot but never got a crappie. i sure would be happy to get some there. i believe i'll try it this winter. you refered to the southend and also the north end would you tell me what end you caught the crappies at? thank you old ken

[AugustWest]

South end where the creek outlet is. About 150-200 yds. out.

[oldken]

South end where the creek outlet is. About 150-200 yds. out.

  thanks for the info i will try it before spring and let you know how i do old ken

[ICE LUNATIC]

I have spent alot of time looking for them this season and must admit it's always nice to land one or two but the number's just aren't there!