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Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
8–12 inches
Typical Length
0.25–1 lb
Typical Weight
Year-round (no closed season)
Season Opens
23%
% of MN Lakes
Black crappie are among Minnesota's most popular panfish, prized for their delicate, flaky meat and willingness to bite. They school in large numbers and are a favorite target for ice anglers and open-water fishermen alike.
Habitat
Crappie favor clear to moderately stained lakes with abundant submerged vegetation and woody cover. They suspend over deep basins in summer and move to brush piles, fallen trees, and weed edges to feed. They spawn in shallow, sandy bays.
When to Fish
Best months: May, June, December, January
Season opens: Year-round (no closed season)
Pre-spawn crappie in May offer the best bank and dock fishing of the year. They suspend at specific depths — electronics help locate schools. Ice fishing with small jigs tipped with waxworms is a Minnesota winter tradition.
Did You Know?
- Crappie get their name from the French-Canadian word 'crapet,' a term for various sunfish species.
- A single female crappie can produce over 100,000 eggs in a spawning season.
- They're paper-mouthed — their thin mouth membranes tear easily, so a steady retrieve is important when fighting them.
Minnesota State Record
5 lbs 0 oz (Vermillion River, 1940)
Lakes with Black Crappie near you
790 Minnesota lakes have Black Crappie on record. Find the closest ones to you.
Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) is a panfish species found in Minnesota lakes and rivers. DNR surveys have documented black crappie in 790 Minnesota lakes. The Minnesota state record is 5 lbs 0 oz (Vermillion River, 1940).