White Crappie(Pomoxis annularis)
Quick Facts
- Size Range: Up to 4 pounds
- Native Species?: Yes
- Food Value: Excellent eating
State Record
- Louisiana State Record: 3.8lbs
- State Record Date: 5/1/2010
- State Record Holder Tim Ricca
White crappie and black crappie are very similar fish that are often found schooling together. Though many people are unable to tell the difference between the two, even when catching them together, it is fairly easy for the trained eye. Both types have the same colors, but white crappie have vertical bars on their sides and black crappie have just random blotches.
They can be found everywhere in the country, with black crappie being more common in the northern US and Canada than white crappie. The white crappie is the official state fish of Louisiana.
All crappie can be caught on live minnows, small jigs, and crankbaits.
White Crappie Rules and Regulations
| Bag and Possession Limit : | 50 daily, 100 fish possession limit |
| Seasons : | Finfish |
| Special Rules : | See Freshwater Creel & Size Limits for restrictions |
Inland Fisheries Management Programs
Louisiana is home to an incredibly diverse inland freshwater system of rivers, streams, lakes, swamps and ponds. All of these systems are able to support ... Read More
Related Fishing Methods
Drift Fishing
Drift fishing can encompass a variety of fishing methods. Bottom fishing over structure is often done while drifting. Timing the drop of your baits as you pass by the structures below is the trick. Also knowing when you have drifted beyond the fish is a key element to being succesful. Anglers also drift while live bait fishing and chunking for bluewater pelagic fish like tuna. The use of live bait or chunks is a slower presentation where the fish are drawn to the boat by smell or vibration of live fish. Inshore you can drift along while casting for trout and redfish with baits or lures. One of the main benefits of drift fishing is that you can quietly cover ground while searching for feeding fish.
Jigging
A versatile method of fishing for many types of fish in both freshwater and salt. A jig is a lure, normally a lead-headed lure with many various types of body/tail configurations made of rubber, hair and feather. Jigs are one of the most versatile of all lures and can be tipped with bait or not. Traditionally jigs are worked in variety of up and down motions, and can be fished throughout the entire water column, depending on the fishery. A modern form of jigs called metal jigs has taken hold and many varieties and shapes have been developed to work different ways. Made famous by the Shimano Butterfly Jig and now produced by many companies in many variations. If I could only have one lure to fish with it would be a jig.
Live Bait
Live bait is a term given to many different types of fish, crustaceans, insects and worms that are popular food items for fish and used by fishermen for bait. There are many benefits to live bait as well as a few cons. The pros normally out weigh the negatives, and live bait is widely used. The biggest benefit for fishermen is that they are using the real thing and often puts a fish's guard down. Small fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, crickets and the good ole earthworm are all used to entice a fish to the hook. The only negatives to live bait is just that, keeping it alive. Sometimes catching it can be a challenge, as only some species can be bought as live bait. No matter how you get it, live bait is a great way to target many types of fish.
Trolling
Trolling is the presentation of lure and/or baits from a moving boat. Many types of predatory fish are caught this way in both fresh and salt water. Speeds and presentations vary greatly depending on the target species. One may troll a small beetle spin for crappie with trolling motor in the lake, or charge around oil rigs at 15 knots with a high-speed wahoo spread. Trolling ballyhoo offshore is one of the most common, broad spectrum ways to catch all types of gamefish. Again there are many different methods to choose from.
