Crappie

The black crappie is easily confused with the white crappie. However, it is deeper-bodied than the white crappie, and silvery-green in color. There are no distinct vertical bars, rather there are irregular black blotches.

The white crappie is deep-bodied and silvery in color, ranging from silvery-white on the belly to a silvery-green or even dark green on the back. There are several vertical bars on the sides. The dorsal fin has a maximum of six spines. Males may develop dark coloration in the throat region during the spring spawning season.

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TipMasters: Crappie Catching
Trolling, long lining and rigs tipped with live minnows are proven strategies for catching black crappie and white crappie. No matter which species you fish for, we’ve got a tip, video and article to help your summertime crappie fishing success in the crappie species page. If you like the simplistic approach, dunking a minnow off the dock or the more technical side of trolling, we’ve got all things crappie covered in this special section.

Buckbrush Crappie
Sorting through hundreds of acres of brushy shoreline can be a frustrating proposition for crappie anglers, especially when the fish are scattered throughout the cover. This show helps explain how to eliminate unproductive water and pinpoint the areas where crappie will congregate in brushy areas.

Strange Lake Crappie
Is your summer vacation taking you to a strange lake? Don’t sweat the details. The experts from Midwest Crappie use this strategy when charting unknown territories on the tournament trail. Crack the crappie code using these techniques and you’ll have a solid game plan.

Long Pole Crappie
If you want a summertime treat take a crappie fishing foray. But don’t pack the ultralight gear, tiny tube jigs and micro crankbaits. Do like Bill Dance, who goes back to basics with a long pole and the simple approach to crappie. Take his advice and you’ll put fish on the line and have a good time.

Hesitation Crappie
Freshwater predator fish don’t belong to the shark family, but they exhibit similar tendencies as this saltwater terror. These fish have a killer instinct when they see a helpless looking prey. Here’s a tip you can use to trigger the predator instinct of a crappie when all other techniques aren’t working.

Virtual Kitchen
Click inside this virtual kitchen and you’ll meet the Scott Leysath, the Sporting Chef. The nickname is backed up by a professional chef who happens to be a skilled outdoorsman. His page includes a video and written blog, recipes and tips that will make your summertime fish fry a big success.