Black Crappie
A deep-bodied, schooling panfish related to bluegill and bass, popular for its mild flavor and willingness to bite.
- Scientific name
- Pomoxis nigromaculatus
- Family
- Centrarchidae
- Adult size
- Commonly 8–12 inches.
Identification
Deep, laterally compressed silvery body with irregular black speckling (vs. the more vertically barred white crappie) and a dorsal fin with 7–8 spines.
Habitat
Weedy coves, brush piles, and drop-offs in lakes, ponds, and slow river backwaters.
Diet
Small fish, insects, and zooplankton.
Angling
Often caught around structure with small jigs or minnows, especially in spring when crappie move shallow to spawn.
Recommended Tackle & Gear for Black Crappie
Field-tested tackle, baits, and rigging strategies suited for catching Black Crappie.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jig & Plastic Kit
Micro-jig heads paired with soft swimbaits mimic tiny baitfish and insects for schooling crappie and bluegill.
Aluminum Fishing Pliers with Braid Cutters
Safely removes hooks, pinches split-shot sinkers, and cleanly snips braided, mono, and fluorocarbon lines.
Plano Waterproof Utility Tackle Box Tray (3600)
Keeps terminal tackle, weights, and spinners dry and corrosion-free with customizable compartments.
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Where Black Crappie is stocked
When Black Crappie is stocked
Top Black Crappie waters
Piute Reservoir
PIUTE County · 15 species · 741 records
Last stocked May 2026
Palisade Reservoir
SANPETE County · 8 species · 323 records
Last stocked June 2026
Palmer Lake
Okanogan County · 5 species · 294 records
Last stocked June 2026
Starvation Reservoir
SAN JUAN County · 12 species · 291 records
Last stocked July 2026
Fio Rito Lake N
Kittitas County · 3 species · 291 records
Last stocked June 2026
Rotary Lake
Yakima County · 6 species · 284 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lake Elmo
15 species · 263 records
Last stocked June 2026
Columbia Park Pond
Benton County · 11 species · 261 records
Last stocked May 2026
Sprague Lake
Adams County · 8 species · 256 records
Last stocked May 2026
Black Lake
Thurston County · 4 species · 249 records
Last stocked April 2026
Newcastle Reservoir
IRON County · 8 species · 244 records
Last stocked October 2025
Red Fleet Reservoir
UINTAH County · 13 species · 235 records
Last stocked July 2026
Roses Lake
Chelan County · 6 species · 223 records
Last stocked May 2026
Offutt Lake
Thurston County · 4 species · 220 records
Last stocked May 2026
Tongue River Reservoir
10 species · 205 records
Last stocked October 2025
Goose Lake
Skamania County · 7 species · 197 records
Last stocked June 2026
Baker Reservoir
WASHINGTON County · 6 species · 188 records
Last stocked October 2025
Pond #4
Yakima County · 4 species · 179 records
Last stocked May 2026
Leigh Hill Reservoir
IRON County · 10 species · 176 records
Last stocked March 2026
Lake Roesiger
Snohomish County · 6 species · 172 records
Last stocked May 2026
Parowan Pond
IRON County · 5 species · 161 records
Last stocked June 2026
Broadview Pond
12 species · 158 records
Last stocked May 2026
Upper Carters Pond
6 species · 158 records
Last stocked June 2026
Fresno Reservoir
13 species · 153 records
Last stocked October 2025
Frequently asked
Where is Black Crappie stocked?
Black Crappie is stocked in 100 waters across 3 states: Washington, Montana, Utah.
When is Black Crappie stocked?
Black Crappie is typically stocked year-round, most often in May, based on records across every state that stocks it.
How many Black Crappie are stocked?
About 26,293,106,256,815,060,000,000 Black Crappie have been stocked on record since 1966, across Montana, Utah, Washington.
What size Black Crappie are stocked?
Stocked Black Crappie average about 5.4 inches, based on sizes reported by Montana, Utah — not every state reports sizes.
What does a Black Crappie look like?
Deep, laterally compressed silvery body with irregular black speckling (vs. the more vertically barred white crappie) and a dorsal fin with 7–8 spines.