White Crappie
White Crappie are native to Arkansas and one of the state's most popular panfish species.
Scientific Name: Pomoxis annularis
- Distinguished from black crappie by their 5-6 dorsal spines (versus 7-8 for black crappie) and distinct vertical bands of dark spots on their silvery sides.
- In Arkansas waters, white crappie typically range from 9-10 inches in length and average 0.5-1.5 pounds, though specimens up to 5+ pounds are possible.
Fishing in Arkansas
Lake Conway
Arkansas River
Fourche LaFave River
Bayou Meto
Greers Ferry Lake
Lake Dardanelle
Petit Jean River
Little Red River
Saline River
Lake Ouachita
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Inhabit virtually every major lake and reservoir in Arkansas, including many smaller impoundments.
Key Locations
- Lake Conway, Lake Nimrod, Greers Ferry Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Ouachita, White River National Wildlife Refuge oxbow lakes, and numerous smaller impoundments.
Specific Spots
- Fish around standing timber, brush piles, and creek channels in 8-18 feet of water.
- Target deeper brush piles and creek channels.
- Focus on brush piles on flats adjacent to main channels.
- Travel in loose schools around cover like standing timber, brush piles, and submerged structures.
White Crappie FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for White Crappie in Arkansas?
1/16-1/8 ounce jigs with minnows, small hair jigs in white or chartreuse, 2-inch soft plastic tubes, curly tail grubs, live minnows, small jigs, inline spinners like 1/16 ounce Rooster Tails, various soft plastics in 1.5-3 inch sizes, crankbaits for trolling, 1/32-1/64 ounce Tennessee shad-colored tubes.
When is the best time to fish for White Crappie in Arkansas?
Spring (March-May) offers the best white crappie fishing in Arkansas, with peak action during the pre-spawn period when water temperatures are 45-55°F. Summer: target deeper brush piles and creek channels. Fall fishing can be excellent around Lake Nimrod and other impoundments.
How do you catch White Crappie in Arkansas?
Bobber jigging with stick floats is highly effective - crappie bite upward so the bobber falls flat rather than going under. Use slip floats when fish are suspended in deeper water. Vertical presentations with jigs and minnows. Trolling with crankbaits in summer.
What do White Crappie eat?
Their diet consists primarily of minnows, shad, small crayfish, aquatic insects, and zooplankton.
Where do White Crappie live in Arkansas?
Inhabit virtually every major lake and reservoir in Arkansas, including many smaller impoundments.
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