Crappie
Pomoxis
Crappie school up around brush and docks, and a small streamer on a light fly rod is a fun and effective way to catch them, especially in spring.
- 17States
- 32River guides
- SpringBest time
Where to find crappie
Darker states have more crappie river guides. Tap a state to see its rivers.
Most crappie rivers
- Maryland4 rivers
- Montana4 rivers
- Wisconsin4 rivers
- Minnesota3 rivers
- Kansas2 rivers
- Kentucky2 rivers
- North Carolina2 rivers
- Virginia2 rivers
Top rivers for crappie
The best-known crappie water in our river guides.
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- Gold Medal
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- Gold Medal
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- Gold Medal
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- Wild Trout Waters
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- Smallmouth Bass Quality Waters
Fly fishing for crappie
There are two crappie species, black crappie and white crappie, and both live in lakes, reservoirs, ponds and slow rivers across much of the US. Black crappie prefer clearer, weedier water, while white crappie handle murkier water.
Crappie school around brush piles, fallen trees, docks and weed edges. In spring they move shallow to spawn, which is the easiest time to reach them with a fly rod. In summer and winter they often hold deeper.
Crappie eat small fish and insects, so small streamers are the go-to fly. They have thin, soft mouths, which is why they are called papermouths. A light rod and a gentle hookset help keep them on.
How to identify crappie
Crappie are silvery with dark speckles or bars, a deep, flat body and a large mouth. Black crappie have irregular dark speckles and usually 7 or 8 dorsal spines. White crappie have faint vertical bars and usually 5 or 6 dorsal spines.
How to catch crappie
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Fish the spawn
In spring, crappie move to shallow brush and weed edges. This is the best time to catch them on a fly.
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Strip slowly
Crappie like a slow retrieve with pauses. Many strikes come as the fly sinks.
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Set the hook gently
Crappie have soft mouths. A smooth strip-set or light lift keeps the hook from tearing out.
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Use a 4- to 6-weight
A 4- to 6-weight rod with a floating or intermediate line covers most crappie fishing.
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Count the fly down
If fish are deeper, count to five or ten before stripping and change the count until you find them.
Find crappie water near you.
- Fishability score for every river near you, updated live
- Live flows and water temps for the rivers you fish
- Hatch timing for your watershed
Crappie FAQ
Can you catch crappie on a fly rod?
Yes. Small streamers and jig-style flies fished slowly around brush and docks work very well, especially during the spring spawn.
What flies work for crappie?
Small marabou streamers, Clouser Minnows, Woolly Buggers and jig flies in white, chartreuse or olive are proven choices.
What size rod for crappie?
A 4- to 6-weight rod is ideal.
When do crappie spawn?
Crappie usually spawn in spring when water temperatures reach about the upper 50s to mid 60s F.
What is the difference between black and white crappie?
Black crappie have irregular dark speckles and 7 or 8 dorsal spines. White crappie have vertical bars and 5 or 6 dorsal spines.
Why do crappie come off the hook?
Crappie have thin, soft mouths. Use a gentle hookset and steady pressure when you fight them.
