I keep reading about crappie moving into the creeks in winter time. Why is it that so many people are fishing and catching out in open 35 ft water over brush piles ? Someone please explain. When I hear fishing in the creeks, I'm thinking 10 to 15 foot water.

Winter time; water temp is the key for fish to find a comfort zone. The earth's core temp is 58 degrees. In large lakes, when water temp is in the 40s, the warmest water is usually 28ft + next to the bottom. Think of the earth as a slow heater for the water closest to it. For creeks; again there is the earth core temp at 58. The water moving over shallow spots heats from the earth and sun. The deeper holes, 10-15ft, hold warmer water. The night time temp cools the shallow water but the earth also heats it. Creeks stay this way all winter unless there is snow or ice and then the runoff can be in the 30s. That will push fish out. Threadfin shad can't tolerate water temp much below about 43 without dying.

I was wondering the same thing...
So, to simplify, creeks during the "normal" cool but sunny days, deep water brush after cold fronts where cold wind and clouds have chilled the creeks(especially if there was any cold rain/snow/sleet to run off)?

in a large flat/shallow area, the creeks are the deepest areas in that region. they go to the deepest available for protection, and move up/down through feeding/pressure/temp changes. find the bait= where the fish will be. survival.

There also needs to be a certain amount of water in the creek and at the mouth of the creek or the baitfish and predator fish won't come into the creeks, this year has been a problem.

When water starts to get below 55, some shad migrate up creeks and rivers looking for warmer water. Crappie follow for a meal ticket and warmer water also. The shad will stay in the creek as long as the water temp is OK. Shad will move up and down the creek feeding. Really strong cold fronts that last several days may move the shad out of the creek depending on water temp. If the shad move out, so do most of the crappie. Current in the creeks actually helps pull the fish up the creek. Water running out of the ground is warmer than the water in the lake. The crappie up the creek will stay there most of the winter. Although they may travel back and forth to the lake.

great info! thanks!

I have no idea why they do what they do .....
but as posted before ...
find bait fish /find crappie ....
some will go very deep with the bait
some will go rather shallow with the bait
listen close to the whispers
someone will give em up ....
monday I ketched crappie in 37 fow
last night I ketched em a shallow as 6 fow
tricky lil devils ....

Thank you all, now I understand it.

I don't!

In the 80's I had crappies number. I could limit every trip.

Move to the Gulf Coast, spent 20 years saltwater fishing.

Now I'm back in Texas, the crappie have my number!