Black and white crappie are very similar fish that are often found schooling together. They are found pretty much everywhere in the country, with black crappie being more common in the northern US and Canada than white crappie. Though many people are unable to tell the difference between the two even when catching them together, it is fairly easy for the trained eye. Both types have the same colors, but white crappie have vertical bars on their sides and black crappie have just random blotches.

The average size of crappie is between one half and one pound, though they are known to grow much larger. Crappie are prolific breeders that will overpopulate small bodies of water very quickly if the population is not controlled. In light of this, bag limits are typically quite generous; making this is a very popular fish for serious recreational anglers and meat hunters alike.

Crappie have delicious, flaky, white flesh that has earned them the reputation among many as the finest tasting fish that swims in freshwater. The Cajun name for crappie in South Louisiana, "sac-a-lait," literally translated as "sack of milk," is a testament to the fine white meat of the crappie.

Be aware of the weather. Weather and barometric pressure can have great impact on where the crappie will be, and how they'll bite. Crappie often will bite better just ahead of a cold front. However, if a high front moves through the area after a cold front, the crappie tend to not bite well. They'll generally head for deeper water and hold tight against the brush. For more tips on how to catch more Crappie--Click Here

During postspawn, fish for crappie on the first dropoff away from the bank, between the spawning area and the creek channels. Though the bottom may drop two or three more times before it reaches the creek channel, postspawn crappie generally will concentrate in cover on the very-first drop-off near the bank.

Working cover effectively is critical to taking crappie. Crappie often will hold tightly to cover, especially in the spring and the summer. You have to know how to present the bait to those fish if you want to take them. If you use heavy lines, heavy sinkers and big corks, you'll often get hung-up in cover and either break-off your line or disturb the crappie concentrating there by shaking the brush as you try to retrieve your line.

Often, the most and biggest crappie in any lake will be found in the creeks in the middle of the lake. The water temperature in that section of a lake is usually the most stable. Generally, the water in the middle may be somewhat stained. Because the middle of the lake is more stable, the crappie in that area may grow more quickly and to larger sizes. This is because they are somewhat protected from adverse water and weather conditions.