White Crappie

• The white crappie is the smaller of the two crappie species, but it is also more prolific. White crappies build large nests during March and April and can lay 20,000 eggs during a spawn. The white crappie can quickly over-populate smaller ponds, so they are not suggested as stock fish for lakes smaller than 100 acres. The white crappie is light in color, with dark spots running down the side of the fish. White crappies typically grow to about 8 inches in length.
  
  

Black Crappie

• Black crappie are the larger and more sought-after game fish. The black crappie has a darker color that is silver, green and yellow. Black crappies' dark spots run along both sides of the fish, but tend to cluster toward the tail. The black crappie also has large dorsal and anal fins when compared to a white crappie. Black crappies will not over-populate small bodies of water and can be stocked in ponds as small as one acre.
  
  

Where Crappie Can Be Found

• It is common for both species of crappie to populate lakes and streams in the United States and Canada. Crappie tend to spawn in the early spring and seek cooler waters during the summer. While both species of crappie will school, making large catches possible, during post-spawn months the fish will swim suspended off the bottom, which can make locating crappie difficult. Good crappie lakes feature clear waters and plenty of vegetation. Crappie can also be found in murky rivers with slow-moving currents.
  
  

Fishing for Crappie

• Crappie are panfish and do not require heavy tackle. A standard 6- to 7-foot casting rod with a spinning reel is a common setup. Use lightweight fishing lines with 4- to 8-pound test. Crappie, especially in shallow waters, will be in structure such as logs, so be certain the line can stand up to a beating. Live minnows are a common bait used to catch both white and black crappie.