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White Crappie

White Crappie

White Crappie are a warmwater panfish species found throughout Colorado's reservoirs and lakes. They are not native to Colorado but have been widely introduced as a popular sport fish.

Scientific Name: Pomoxis annularis

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished from Black Crappie by their 5-6 dorsal spines (versus 7-8 for Black Crappie) and distinctive vertical dark bars on their silvery sides.
  • White Crappie have deep, laterally compressed bodies with olive-green backs fading to silvery-white sides, small heads with large oblique mouths, and can reach up to 21 inches in Colorado waters.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Colorado's reservoirs and lakes.

Key Locations

  • Major Front Range reservoirs including North Sterling Reservoir (which has excellent populations), Jackson Lake, Boyd Lake, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Pueblo Reservoir, Chatfield Reservoir, John Martin Reservoir, and Elkhead Reservoir.
  • North Sterling Reservoir offers some of the state's best White Crappie fishing due to its abundant structure and healthy populations.

Specific Spots

  • Structure-oriented fish that seek cover around submerged brush, fallen trees, docks, rock piles, and vegetation.
  • Target structure-rich areas including docks, submerged brush piles, fallen timber, rock formations, and vegetation edges.

White Crappie FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for White Crappie in Colorado?

1/32 to 1/16 ounce jigs with soft plastic bodies - particularly tube jigs, grubs, and small minnow imitations in chartreuse, white, pink, and glow colors. The Southern Pro Lit'l Hustler Tube and Z-Man 2-inch GrubZ. Road Runner jigs with spinner blades. Small crankbaits like the Rapala Ultra Light Shad for trolling.

When is the best time to fish for White Crappie in Colorado?

Best time is during spring and fall when water temperatures are ideal (68-72°F), with peak fishing typically occurring from May through October. During winter, focus on deeper water (15-25 feet). In summer, fish deeper during the day and target shallower structure during low-light periods.

How do you catch White Crappie in Colorado?

Present baits slowly and vertically around structure, as crappie often hold tight to cover. Fish very slowly with small jigs during winter. Successful techniques include vertical jigging, slow trolling, casting parallel to structure, and still fishing with live bait.

What do White Crappie eat?

Visual hunters that feed on small fish including minnows, threadfin and gizzard shad, young gamefish, insects, larvae, microcrustaceans, and zooplankton. Adults become increasingly piscivorous, feeding heavily on fathead minnows and small shad.

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