Pomoxis nigromaculatus, the Black Crappie

Until recent years, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department hadn’t considered the black crappie worthy of being an important game fish species. However, as the popularity of this fish became quite evident among Granite State anglers, the Department finally decided to increase the availability of the black crappie. They began netting and re-introducing them into other waters around the state. These fish inhabit the weedy waters of lakes, ponds and rivers. They spawn in the spring when water temperatures are between 58 and 64 degrees. The females of this species, weighing about a half pound, will lay between 20,000 and 60,000 eggs. Adult fish may vary in lengths up to 12 inches , weighing a half-pound. Large specimens will weigh a pound or more and measure 15 to over 17 inches. The current state record black crappie was caught through the ice by Tom Noyes, on February 9, 2000 in the Bellamy Reservoir. The crappie was 17.25 inches in length and weighed 2 lbs. 12.8 ozs.

Black crappie are a challenge to catch through the ice. Generally, crappies stay at a certain level in the water column when feeding. Thus, it is important to find the depth at which they are feeding and to keep your bait or lure at that depth or slightly above if you want action. A depth-finder is a big help to the angler for finding suspended crappies. However, if you don’t have one, not all is lost. Try fishing at different levels until you find action. Crappies are a schooling fish and if you catch one, you’ll usually catch more. Also, crappies tend to bite gently, mouthing the bait or lure offered. Actually, they appear to inhale the offering. I call it a kind of "vacuum" action rather than a strike. As they have very paper-thin mouths, which allows a hook to tear out easily, do not strike hard when a crappie nibbles the bait. Raise the rod and keep the tension on. If using live baits, minnows of no more than 1 ½ inches in length work best.

Lower your bait to the bottom. If you get no results, raise the minnow up a couple feet and try that depth. If there are still no takers, come up a little higher and let your minnow swim there for awhile. Keep doing this until you find the depth where the crappies are active. Black crappies will also hit tiny spoons, jigs and, yes, even flies fished through the ice if these lures are jigged gently up and down very slowly. Adding a piece of worm or mealworm to your jig will generally bring even more bites and hook more fish. Crappies aren’t the greatest fighters on the end of the line, unless they are of a larger size. They usually wage a slow, short fight giving up easily. 

The black crappie is one of the tastiest panfish known. You can bake or fry their fillets using your favorite fish recipe. I rank the crappie even above the white perch and yellow perch for goodness, but all three are favorites of mine. Today, there are a number of waters in the Granite State that contain populations of black crappie, including our own Glen Lake in Goffstown and Lake Massabesic in Auburn and Manchester. Other waters where crappie are now present can be found in New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s booklet, "Fishing Waters of New Hampshire", which lists the water bodies by township and county and the fish species available in each listed lake, pond and river. Look for species #15. This booklet is available free from: Public Affairs Division, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H.ll (603) 271-3211. Anglers should also obtain the 2008 edition of the "Freshwater Fishing Digest" which is also available from the Department or license agents within the state.

Be advised that there is a 25 daily fish limit for both black crappie and white perch. Over-fishing of black crappie can and has taken its toll on this species in the state. According to southern fisheries biologists, crappie populations are very sensitive to over-fishing. Let’s not fish out a good thing. By all means, keep a few for a great meal and then practice catch and release. Enjoy this wonderful fish. Tight lines and Happy Holidays to all of our readers.