Black crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months: Feb · Mar
Typical depth: 3-8 spawn nests; offshore deeper open water when not spawning ft
Typical size
Catch minimum: 14 inches or 2
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Recorded profile

habitat summary: Unlike most other panfish, crappie spend much of their time offshore feeding on small fish in lakes or in large slow-moving clear water rivers.
diet: eather favorite and excellent table fare.
preferred bait: Drift Missouri minnows or grass shrimp below a float, with a #4 hook and small split shot.
preferred lures: jig or Hal-flies will produce.
techniques: Specks are a cool-weather favorite and excellent table fare. Crappies are common throughout Florida. Drift Missouri minnows or grass shrimp below a float, with a #4 hook and small split shot. Depth is key, as crappie school at the same level. When crappie move inshore to spawn, a bright 1/16-oz. to 1/8-oz. jig or Hal-flies will produce. Image Credit: © Duane Raver, Jr.
peak months: Feb · Mar

States with a source record

Alabama · Arkansas · Arizona · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Iowa · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Massachusetts · Maryland · Maine · Michigan · Minnesota · Missouri · Mississippi · Montana · North Carolina · North Dakota · Nebraska · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · Nevada · New York · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Virginia · Vermont · Washington · Wisconsin · West Virginia · Wyoming

Source evidence by state

Alabama — Black Crappie · seed: www.outdooralabama.com · www.outdooralabama.com
Arkansas — Black Crappie · seed: www.agfc.com · www.agfc.com
Arizona — Black Crappie · seed: www.azgfd.com · www.azgfd.com
California — Black Crappie · seed: wildlife.ca.gov · wildlife.ca.gov · nrm.dfg.ca.gov · wildlife.ca.gov
Colorado — Black Crappie · seed: cpw.state.co.us · cpw.state.co.us
Connecticut — Black Crappie · seed: portal.ct.gov · portal.ct.gov
Delaware — Black Crappie · seed: dnrec.delaware.gov · dnrec.delaware.gov
Florida — Black Crappie · enriched: myfwc.com · myfwc.com · myfwc.com · www.floridasportsman.com · myfwc.com
Georgia — Black Crappie · seed: georgiawildlife.com · georgiawildlife.com · georgiawildlife.com
Iowa — Black Crappie · seed: www.iowadnr.gov · www.iowadnr.gov
Idaho — Black Crappie · seed: idfg.idaho.gov · idfg.idaho.gov
Illinois — Black Crappie · seed: dnr.illinois.gov · dnr.illinois.gov
Indiana — Black Crappie · seed: www.in.gov · www.in.gov
Kansas — Black Crappie · seed: ksoutdoors.com · ksoutdoors.com
Kentucky — Black Crappie · seed: fw.ky.gov · fw.ky.gov
Louisiana — Black Crappie · seed: www.wlf.louisiana.gov · www.wlf.louisiana.gov · www.wlf.louisiana.gov
Massachusetts — Black Crappie · seed: www.mass.gov · www.mass.gov · www.mass.gov
Maryland — Black Crappie · seed: dnr.maryland.gov · dnr.maryland.gov · dnr.maryland.gov
Maine — Black Crappie · seed: www.maine.gov · www.maine.gov
Michigan — Black Crappie · seed: www.michigan.gov · www2.dnr.state.mi.us · www.michigan.gov
Minnesota — Black Crappie · seed: www.dnr.state.mn.us · files.dnr.state.mn.us · www.dnr.state.mn.us
Missouri — Black Crappie · seed: mdc.mo.gov · mdc.mo.gov
Mississippi — Black Crappie · seed: www.mdwfp.com · dmr.ms.gov · www.mdwfp.com
Montana — Black Crappie · seed: fwp.mt.gov · fwp.mt.gov
North Carolina — Black Crappie · seed: www.ncwildlife.gov · auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov · www.deq.nc.gov · www.ncwildlife.gov
North Dakota — Black Crappie · seed: gf.nd.gov · gf.nd.gov
Nebraska — Black Crappie · seed: outdoornebraska.gov · outdoornebraska.gov
New Hampshire — Black Crappie · seed: www.wildlife.nh.gov · www.wildlife.nh.gov
New Jersey — Black Crappie · seed: dep.nj.gov · dep.nj.gov · dep.nj.gov
New Mexico — Black Crappie · seed: www.wildlife.state.nm.us · www.wildlife.state.nm.us
Nevada — Black Crappie · seed: www.ndow.org · www.ndow.org
New York — Black Crappie · seed: dec.ny.gov · dec.ny.gov · dec.ny.gov · dec.ny.gov · dec.ny.gov
Ohio — Black Crappie · seed: dam.assets.ohio.gov · ohiodnr.gov
Oklahoma — Black Crappie · seed: www.wildlifedepartment.com · www.wildlifedepartment.com
Oregon — Black Crappie · seed: www.dfw.state.or.us · myodfw.com · www.dfw.state.or.us
Pennsylvania — Black Crappie · seed: www.pa.gov · www.pa.gov · www.pa.gov
Rhode Island — Black Crappie · seed: dem.ri.gov · dem.ri.gov
South Carolina — Black Crappie · seed: www.dnr.sc.gov · www.dnr.sc.gov · www.dnr.sc.gov · www.dnr.sc.gov
South Dakota — Black Crappie · seed: gfp.sd.gov · gfp.sd.gov
Tennessee — Black Crappie · seed: www.tn.gov · www.tn.gov
Texas — Black Crappie · seed: tpwd.texas.gov · tpwd.texas.gov
Utah — Black Crappie · seed: wildlife.utah.gov · wildlife.utah.gov
Virginia — Black Crappie · seed: dwr.virginia.gov · mrc.virginia.gov
Vermont — Black Crappie · seed: vtfishandwildlife.com · vtfishandwildlife.com
Washington — Black Crappie · seed: wdfw.wa.gov · wdfw.wa.gov · wdfw.wa.gov
Wisconsin — Black Crappie · seed: dnr.wi.gov · dnr.wisconsin.gov
West Virginia — Black Crappie · seed: wvdnr.gov · wvdnr.gov
Wyoming — Black Crappie · seed: wgfd.wyo.gov · wgfd.wyo.gov

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.