Crappie - Blue Stem Lake

BlueStemLakeHomeowners.org - Crappie

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Updated: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 10:07 PM

Blue Stem Lake Homeowners Association, Inc. - Oklahoma City, OK

White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis

Rod/Reel: 4-6 lb. class
Hook Size: 10-6
Leader: None
Fishing Mode: Troll or cast

Facts – Crappie are a favorite winter fish in Oklahoma. They form loose schools and often when you find a school, others can be located close by. Crappie can be caught year-round and its sweet meat makes exquisite table fare. The average crappie caught in Oklahoma weighs between a half and one and a half pounds.

Both white and black crappie are found in Oklahoma, with white crappie being far more common. Although their appearances differ somewhat, these two species are almost identical in terms of fish-catching and eating qualities.

During the latter part of March, crappie begin moving into shallow water to spawn, making these tasty fish readily accessible to anglers. Whether you like to fish from a boat or tube, from the shoreline or using waders, March through May is without a doubt the best time of the year to catch lots of papermouths.

Minnows are an excellent bait choice, but some anglers prefer to use jigs, or jigs tipped with minnows.

Habitat – Crappie are usually associated with standing timber and brushy cover in lakes. In the spring they inhabit the shallow ends of coves, later moving to water 15 or more feet deep. Both black crappie and white crappie do well in lakes of at least 500 acres. While black crappie require clear lakes, white crappie are adapted to slightly turbid lakes. Neither species is suited for farm ponds because they tend to over populate these small bodies of water.

Natural Food Sources – Minnows, shad, crayfish, mollusks and insects.
Spawning – Spawning habits of white crappie are similar to other sunfishes except they usually nest in deeper water. Black crappie construct their nests and deposit their eggs at even greater depths than white crappie. Females of both species deposit from 3,000 to 15,000 eggs. Spawning occurs shortly after water temperatures reach 55 to 65 degrees F. After spawning, males guard the eggs and fry.

Crappie usually spawn in and around woody cover, so it pays to keep your offering near some kind of timber. Once spawning activities are completed, the fish head for deeper water again, where they spend the summer months. Anglers who concentrate on fishing brushpiles, docks and other structure in water 15-25 feet deep can catch fish throughout the summer and into the fall.

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BlueStemLakeHomeowners.org - Crappie
Home	Updated: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 10:07 PM
Blue Stem Lake Homeowners Association, Inc. - Oklahoma City, OK

White Crappie Pomoxis annularis
		Rod/Reel: 4-6 lb. class Hook Size: 10-6 Leader: None Fishing Mode: Troll or cast
Facts – Crappie are a favorite winter fish in Oklahoma. They form loose schools and often when you find a school, others can be located close by. Crappie can be caught year-round and its sweet meat makes exquisite table fare. The average crappie caught in Oklahoma weighs between a half and one and a half pounds. Both white and black crappie are found in Oklahoma, with white crappie being far more common. Although their appearances differ somewhat, these two species are almost identical in terms of fish-catching and eating qualities. During the latter part of March, crappie begin moving into shallow water to spawn, making these tasty fish readily accessible to anglers. Whether you like to fish from a boat or tube, from the shoreline or using waders, March through May is without a doubt the best time of the year to catch lots of papermouths. Minnows are an excellent bait choice, but some anglers prefer to use jigs, or jigs tipped with minnows. Habitat – Crappie are usually associated with standing timber and brushy cover in lakes. In the spring they inhabit the shallow ends of coves, later moving to water 15 or more feet deep. Both black crappie and white crappie do well in lakes of at least 500 acres. While black crappie require clear lakes, white crappie are adapted to slightly turbid lakes. Neither species is suited for farm ponds because they tend to over populate these small bodies of water.
Natural Food Sources – Minnows, shad, crayfish, mollusks and insects. Spawning – Spawning habits of white crappie are similar to other sunfishes except they usually nest in deeper water. Black crappie construct their nests and deposit their eggs at even greater depths than white crappie. Females of both species deposit from 3,000 to 15,000 eggs. Spawning occurs shortly after water temperatures reach 55 to 65 degrees F. After spawning, males guard the eggs and fry. Crappie usually spawn in and around woody cover, so it pays to keep your offering near some kind of timber. Once spawning activities are completed, the fish head for deeper water again, where they spend the summer months. Anglers who concentrate on fishing brushpiles, docks and other structure in water 15-25 feet deep can catch fish throughout the summer and into the fall.
		Click to see a larger image