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Black crappies are known as eager biters and a much sought-after food fish. They are found in most lakes and rivers in our region, and have been introduced into other waters across the continent. Because of this, these fish are a familiar sight almost everywhere you fish.
Other Names: Papermouth, Speckled Perch, Calico Perch, Strawberry Bass, Bachelor Perch, Oswego Bass, Speck
Male black crappies develop dark black heads and front halves during the spawn, which makes for easy identification. They spawn in spring, when water temps approach 60 degrees, on shallow flats scattered with reeds or brush. Spawning fish are easy targets, as large schools can be spotted and fished for from a distance. After spawning they vacate the shallows and move to nearby deep water, forming tight schools suspended around the primary break. They stay here throughout the day, and can be difficult to locate without the aid of electronics. As evening sets in, these huge schools move into shallower, brushy areas such as beaver feed piles around lodges to scarf down shiners, dace or whatever the primary native forage may be. In the winter, black crappies usually suspend in deep water and are easy targets for the ice angler who knows how to find them. Once you locate crappies, you'll catch a bunch if you can stay on the school.
