Black Crappie

Species illustration (Illustration Credit: U.S. Wildlife Service)

What it looks like

• small, deep-bodied fish
• silver with blue or green iridescence and irregular mosaic of distinct black blotches
• 7 to 8 dorsal fin spines
• 6 to 7 anal fin spines
• large mouth extends below middle of eye

Size

• length: 18-25 centimetres (7-10 inches)
• weight: 0.23–0.45 kilograms (0.5–1.0 pounds)
• Ontario record: 1.7 kilograms (3.8 pounds)

Similar fish

• White Crappie

Where it is found

Species distribution map (modified from Mandrak and Crossman, 1992)

Range

• found throughout southern Ontario, including protected bays of the southern Great Lakes and in northwestern Ontario
• use Fish ON-Line, an interactive mapping tool, to find specific lakes and rivers

Habitat

• warm, clear, vegetated lakes, ponds and rivers
• little current
• open areas adjacent to cover
• access to deeper water in winter and summer

Find a fishing spot with Fish ON-Line

Angling tips

• move in schools
• bite during the day, especially during overcast weather
• bite most often during low light periods (dawn and dusk)
• best fishing in April and early May as the ice clears, and crappie follow schools of bait into warmer, shallow water
• eyes are positioned to see upward, so work bait slightly above them
• use light spinning or fly-fishing tackle and 6-pound or less line

Common baits

• spinners
• panfish jigs
• small crankbaits
• streamer flies
• small live minnows, nymphs