Springtime in Oklahoma is special. For hunters, April signals that it's time for spring turkey hunting, but for diehard anglers the month shouts that now is the time to sack up a mess of spawning crappie at a waterhole near you.

Truly, nothing's more fun than finding a school of hungry crappie eagerly attacking whatever bait is presented them. The action usually comes fast and furious, and the fish fry later is a gourmet reminder that for Oklahoma City anglers, right now is crappie time!

Below are some of the top crappie spots in our mid-state area, with a bonus spot lying less than two hours away.

LAKE THUNDERBIRD
Just 30 minutes south of Oklahoma City near Norman is Thunderbird Lake, a 6,070-acre impoundment that locals have nicknamed "T-Bird" and -- because its water is normally muddy year 'round -- "Dirty Bird." Celebrated in the 1970s as a lunker bass factory, Thunderbird is also well known for its healthy population of crappie. However, the average crappie at T-Bird at one time typically ran between 6 and 7 inches -- at least, until steps were taken to better that situation.

"Most of the fish in the lake are stunted, and as a result many never reach trophy potential," said Jeff Boxrucker, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's senior biologist at the lake. "To remedy the problem, we introduced saugeyes into the lake to eat the smallest crappie, and as a result, the average-sized crappie is now getting bigger."

An expert on Lake Thunderbird, Boxrucker offered some savvy advice based on his biological findings. "Most crappie tend to move into shallow water and be more active at night," he said. "Male crappie are smaller and can usually be caught near the bank, while females, being larger on average, prefer slightly deeper water."

Boxrucker suggests that anglers key on Thunderbird in mid to late April, when spawning activity normally peaks. Give the area west of the boat ramp near the water tower a try, he says, as it's a longstanding spawning area. This site can be reached by taking Alameda Street east from I-35 until it dead-ends at the lake. He also speaks highly of Snake Pit Cove, Clear Bay, Duck Blind Cove, and Old River Range Cove, located in the Hog Creek arm of the lake.

T-Bird regular Russ Horton is partial to the south dam area and Calypso Cove; he notes that the action around boat docks is also very worthwhile, but adds a warning that the many private boat docks may well allow no fishing. Anglers can also fish numerous brushpiles, which are marked by buoys.

Another expert angler is Todd Huckabee, a local guide who lives near the lake and fishes the turbid impoundment often. "April is a great month for T-Bird crappie" he opined. "The area near the dam is a good spot to find crappie, with access for both boat and bank anglers. Other good spots are the riprap area around Twin Bridges and near any of the marinas. Your chances are good to catch a 16-inch slab."