Crappie fish are fun to catch for all ages. They range in shape and size and can be found either deep or shallow.

Crappie Fishing and Getting to Know the Fish

An experienced angler has plenty of fishing spots on their maps to find the perfect fish at a specific time of the year. However, one species can not only be found all year round, but can also be found across North America and that is the Crappie.

There are only two recognized species for the Crappie and those are the White Crappie and the Black Crappie. The record catch for the white is 5 pounds and the black is 5.2 pounds. Although they may not be considered trophy fish, they are a delight to eat. They are considered to be one of the most common and best tasting fish that can be caught in freshwater. One of the reasons they are so common is that they can be caught on nearly any type of bait from live minnows to fake bait or spinners.

Best Time and Locations for Crappie Fishing

Time plays a part in most outdoor sports and fishing is not excluded. Crappie tend to be more productive around a full moon, but once that full moon happens, they tend to be drawn back and not very active. During the spring Crappie can be found closer to the banks and in shallow waters. If the fishing is done in the mid to late summer months the Crappie will be further out and in deeper waters.

For the most lucrative results in catching Crappie, it is recommended in the early spring when the night temperature does not hit freezing. If the weather is cold and freezing the Crappie will stay in deeper waters and become less active. There are many more crappie fishing tips that include the best time and spots to fish, but keep in mind that the catch results of each location can vary.

Spawn Times and Fishing Crappie

The spring time is when Crappie tend to spawn making it one of the best times to fish for Crappie. Lakes that have creek run offs are perfect for Crappie. When the spring time starts the western end of the lake or pond will warm up first, making it the perfect spot to cast in. The Crappie will start to move into shallow water where if you’re lucky you can see the tip of their fins sticking out.

The male Crappies are known to be very aggressive during the spawning time, especially near the nests. Females will bite if the bait is in the nest or within an immediate vicinity. Although males are aggressive and will bite at anything that comes within the comfort zone of their nest, it takes little effort to real one in comparison to a larger species. Once the summer temperatures come in, the Crappie tend to move out of the shallow waters where they spawned and find deeper waters that are cooler. Crappie are more likely to be around brush or other submerged objects most of the time.

The local and state requirements for a fishing license or where not to fish should be adhered to. There is a fine for those who are caught fishing without a license. Some states may also have other rules for Crappie fishing in effect, such as a catch limit. Catch limits can vary from 5 to 25 crappie per person on a daily basis or a certain limit for the entire fishing season, month, or other time specific limit. For information regarding your state’s fishing laws contact your local parks and wildlife facility.