Crappie from shore?

[MuskieBait]

Eli's bang on with technique.

I would also add slip float rig to the repertoire. You can fish tubes or swimbait as Eli mentioned, or simple splitshot and minnow, or small jig and minnow. With the float, you are able to fish slower around structures if fish are less active. You are also able to search each depth zone systematically until you find the depth they are holding. They are often suspended over weed tops or around a structure. They usually feed upward, so too deep and you may not get any hits.

Another favourite of mine are the good ole Beetle Spin. The little spinning blade attracts their attention, the jig/grub combo is the small morsel that they will hit.

Lots of lakes within 1h drive from Pickering should have crappies. Even that big bay in town should have crappie...but the water is often quite murky there so it is more difficult to find them with reduced visibility.