Crappies are relatively easy to locate and catch and they have a very good flavor when cooked. Crappie are often found in large numbers around piers and brush. These loose aggregations are not really schools of fish but they can appear to come and go as they are fished out of a small area.

Crappies are found in vegetated areas of backwaters in streams, rivers, ponds and reservoirs. They prefer cool, clear waters. They predominantly feed on small fish, but may also consume mussels, snails, crayfish, aquatic insects.

As water temperatures approach 60 degrees Fahrenheit in late February to early May, male black crappie build their nests on top of sand, gravel or mud in shallow water. Females will deposit large amounts of eggs per spawn - 3,000 to 15,000 eggs! Large females can lay up to 150,000 eggs. The male guards the fertilized eggs until they hatch and the fry leave the nest.

Year Round Tips

Crappies are usually situated around structure including points, drop offs, creek beds, and cover such as brush piles, fallen trees and stumps.
In smaller lakes, crappie maybe very close to woody structure all year long.
If fishing deeper than 4 feet a slip bobber is very helpful.
If crappies are in the area and the bite is slow, a change in jig color may increase the bite rate.

Seasonal Crappie Fishing Tips

Spring: Use baitfish imitating tackle. Small crankbaits, plastics and marabou jigs. Minnows suspended by bobbers. Fish around woody cover. Crappies move from deep water to spawning areas using creek beds and deep channels to get there. As spawning nears, fish suspend over deep water close to spawning sites.

Late Spring: Use baitfish imitating tackle. Small crankbaits, plastics and marabou jigs. Minnows suspended by bobbers. Fish bait around woody cover. Fish have spawned and are moving back to main lake points and deeper water. Some fish can be found around fallen trees and other woody structure.

Summer: Trolling small crankbaits and twistertails are effective. Early morning and evening are best times. Most fish are suspended over main lake points and deep water. Will move up to shallower water at night to feed. Some fish can be found around fallen trees and other woody structure.

Fall: Marabou jigs and minnows suspended by a bobber is effective. Present jigs and minnows around woody cover by casting or vertical jigging. Crappies are moving back into shallow water to feed. Cover and baitfish are key to locating schools of crappie.

Winter: Fish minnows or light colored jigs very slowly. May need to let bait sit still with occasional movement. In deep creek beds or other deep water associated with a drop off that contains woody cover or rock.