Black Crappie

Key identifying characteristics:

• Small deep-bodied fish
• Silver with blue or green iridescence and irregular mosaic of distinct black blotches
• 7-8 dorsal fin spines
• 6 or 7 anal fin spines
• Large mouth extends below middle of eye

Distribution/Habitat:

• Black crappie are found in warm, clear, vegetated lakes, ponds, and rivers. They prefer little current, open areas adjacent to cover, and access to deeper water in winter and summer.
• Black crappie range has been gradually expanding, and they are now found throughout southern Ontario including protected bays of the southern Great Lakes and in northwestern Ontario.

Angling Tips:

• Black crappie move in schools. Their eyes are positioned to see upward, so bait should be worked slightly above them. Light spinning or fly-fishing tackle and 6-pound or less line is suitable. Black crappie will hit during the day, especially during overcast weather, but often bite best during low light periods (dawn and dusk). As ice clears in April and early May, crappie follow schools of bait into warmer shallow water. During this period some of the best crappie fishing is available for anglers.

Common Baits:

• Small live minnows
• Spinners
• Panfish jigs
• Small crankbaits
• Nymphs
• Streamer flies

Illustration credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service