Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
One of the most popular panfish in the United States, black crappie are found in clear, weedy lakes and backwaters across the country. Spring spawning congregations and first-ice action draw enormous angler interest, and their delicate white fillets rival walleye for table quality.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- minnow under a slip-bobber
- small jigs
- ice fishing
- vertical jigging suspended schools
Top Baits
- small minnows
- tube jigs
- maribou jigs
- plastic grubs
- wax worms
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Black Crappie, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
Alabama 1 zone
Combined 30 crappie daily limit for black and white crappie. No minimum size.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdooralabama.com
Arizona 1 zone
No size or bag limit on crappie species.
Effective 2025 · Source: azgfd.com
Arkansas 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined crappie daily bag of 30.
Effective 2025 · Source: agfc.com
California 1 zone
No size limit. Open year-round. Popular in warmwater reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.ca.gov
Connecticut 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: portal.ct.gov
Delaware 1 zone
25 per day combined for black and white crappie. No minimum size.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov
Florida 1 zone
Minimum size 10 inches. Daily bag limit 25.
Effective 2025 · Source: myfwc.com
Georgia 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 30 in aggregate with white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: georgiawildlife.com
Illinois 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Combined crappie bag (black and white) of 25. Very popular in spring at southern Illinois reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov
Indiana 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Combined crappie bag (black and white) of 25. Popular at many Indiana reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: in.gov
Iowa 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined crappie daily bag of 25.
Effective 2025 · Source: iowadnr.gov
Kansas 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined crappie daily bag of 50.
Effective 2025 · Source: ksoutdoors.com
Kentucky 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 15 in aggregate with white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: fw.ky.gov
Louisiana 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined daily bag of 50 with white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: wlf.louisiana.gov
Maryland 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov
Massachusetts 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: mass.gov
Michigan 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined 25 daily limit with white crappie.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Minnesota 1 zone
Open year-round. Combined crappie bag (black and white) of 10. Popular ice fishing species. Some lakes have reduced limits.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.state.mn.us
Mississippi 1 zone
Combined 30 per day for black and white crappie. Special regulations on some state lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdwfp.com
Missouri 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined crappie daily bag of 30.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdc.mo.gov
Nebraska 1 zone
Combined 15 per day for all crappie species.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov
New Hampshire 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.nh.gov
New Jersey 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: nj.gov
New Mexico 1 zone
Combined 20 per day for all crappie species.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.state.nm.us
New York 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for crappie statewide.
Effective 2025 · Source: dec.ny.gov
North Carolina 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 20 in aggregate with white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: ncwildlife.org
North Dakota 1 zone
Combined 15 per day for black and white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: gf.nd.gov
Ohio 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Combined crappie bag (black and white) of 30. Excellent crappie fishing in Ohio reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: ohiodnr.gov
Oklahoma 1 zone
Combined 37 crappie daily limit. Oklahoma is known for outstanding crappie fishing.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlifedepartment.com
Pennsylvania 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Combined crappie bag (black and white) as part of panfish aggregate of 50. Pymatuning and Shenango are popular crappie destinations.
Effective 2025 · Source: fishandboat.com
Rhode Island 1 zone
No minimum size, 10 fish daily limit. Found in ponds and slow-moving rivers.
Effective 2025 · Source: dem.ri.gov
South Carolina 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 20 in aggregate with white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.sc.gov
South Dakota 1 zone
Combined 15 crappie daily limit. Found in glacial lakes and reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: gfp.sd.gov
Tennessee 1 zone
Minimum size 10 inches. Daily creel limit 15 in aggregate with white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov
Texas 1 zone
Minimum length 10 inches. Combined daily bag of 25 with white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: tpwd.texas.gov
Vermont 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: vtfishandwildlife.com
Virginia 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 25 in aggregate with white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov
West Virginia 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 15 in aggregate with white crappie.
Effective 2025 · Source: wvdnr.gov
Wisconsin 1 zone
Open year-round. Part of the panfish aggregate bag limit of 25 on most waters. Some lakes have 10-fish crappie limits or 8-inch minimum size.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
State Records
Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.
| State | Weight | Length | Angler | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN | 5.48 lb | — | Lionel Ferguson | 2018 | Private Pond, Loudon Co. |
| MN | 5 lb | — | — | — | — |
| MO | 5 lb | — | John R. Horstman | 2006 | Private Pond |
| NC | 4.94 lb | — | Dean Dixon | 1980 | Lake Lucas |
| IN | 4.69 lb | — | Willis Halcomb | 1994 | Private lake, Jennings Co. |
| VA | 4.63 lb | — | Justin Elliott | 1994 | Private pond |
| WA | 4.5 lb | — | John W. Smart | 1956 | Lake Washington |
| IL | 4.5 lb | — | John Hampton | 1976 | Rend Lake |
| WI | 4.5 lb | — | Allen A. Dollar | 1967 | Gile Flowage |
| OH | 4.5 lb | — | Ronald Stone | 1981 | Private pond |
| CA | 4.31 lb | — | David Burruss | 2021 | Clear Lake |
| GA | 4.25 lb | — | Shirley Lavender | 1971 | Acree's Lake |
| PA | 4.19 lb | — | Richard A. Pino | 2000 | Hammond Lake |
| MI | 4.12 lb | — | — | 1947 | Lincoln Lake |
| NY | 4.06 lb | — | William Wightman | 2018 | Lake Flavia |
| TX | 3.92 lb | — | George Ward | 2003 | Lake Fork |
| FL | 3.83 lb | — | Ben Curry Sr. | 1992 | Lake Talquin |
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