Spring
Where: Warm shallow bays, reeds and docks during the spawn.
Try: Slip bobbers with small minnows or worms.
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06 / 06 · Species guide
Panfish
Crappie & bluegill.
Fast action for every age. Crappie and bluegill are the perfect family bite — and a delicious shore lunch.
Open seasonOpen all yearMost Ontario zones keep sunfish and crappie open year-round with generous limits. Check your zone's crappie limit.
Peak biteMorning and evening; all day under the ice
Typical depth2–20 ft
Where to find them
Seasonal playbook.
Summer
Where: Weed edges, docks and suspended over deeper brush.
Try: Micro jigs under a float.
Winter
Where: Basins and deep weed edges under the ice.
Try: Tiny tungsten jigs with spikes or plastics.
Tips & tricks
From the counter.
- Go small: #8–#10 hooks and 1/32 oz jigs.
- Crappie suspend — set your float to their depth.
- Find one, find a school; stay put once you catch a few.
- Light line (4 lb) gets far more bites.
Popular gear
What's in the box.
- Slip bobbers
- 1/32–1/16 oz jigs
- Micro plastics
- #8 bait hooks
- Split shot
Rod, reel & line
Recommended setups.
Ultralight
- Rod
- 6'0" Ultralight, fast
- Reel
- 1000 spinning
- Line
- 4 lb mono or fluoro
- Best for
- Micro jigs and floats
Ice
- Rod
- 28" Ultralight ice rod
- Reel
- 500 inline/spinning
- Line
- 2–3 lb fluoro
- Best for
- Tungsten jigs and spoons
Shop for panfish
Gear for this fish.
Other species
Season dates are general guidance for this demo — always check current Ontario fishing regulations for your zone.