White Crappie
White Crappie are an introduced, non-native species to Delaware that are much less common than Black Crappie. Their distribution is limited to just three locations: Becks Pond, Lums Pond, and Noxontown Pond, where they are considered uncommon.
Scientific Name: Pomoxis annularis
- They display dark olive to black coloration on top with silvery-white sides and can be distinguished from Black Crappie by their 5-10 distinct vertical bars rather than scattered random spots.
- White Crappie in Delaware waters are typically caught at lengths under 12 inches (less than 1 pound).
- White Crappie are known as 'paper mouths' due to their large, thin lips.
Fishing in Delaware
Delaware River
Lums Pond
Delaware Bay
Cohansey River
Leipsic River
Maurice River
Susquehanna River
Nantuxent Cove
Mispillion River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- White Crappie prefer areas around aquatic vegetation and submerged woody material such as tree tops and brush piles.
Key Locations
- Becks Pond, Lums Pond, and Noxontown Pond.
Specific Spots
- Focus on areas with structure like brush piles, tree tops, and vegetation where they hold for cover.
- In late winter and early spring, they congregate in large schools, often in deeper water.
White Crappie FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What flies work for White Crappie in Delaware?
Use small streamers and patterns that imitate their primary forage of insects, small crayfish, and small fish.
When is the best time to fish for White Crappie in Delaware?
White Crappie fishing in Delaware is open year-round. The best fishing occurs during late winter and early spring when they form large schools in deeper water, but avoid fishing during their spawning period in May-June when water temperatures reach 56-72°F.
How do you catch White Crappie in Delaware?
Effective techniques include artificial flies, small spinners, and jigs. Small minnows fished suspended under bobbers are a favored method. In deeper water situations, slowly work presentations near the bottom where schools congregate.
Where do White Crappie live in Delaware?
White Crappie prefer areas around aquatic vegetation and submerged woody material such as tree tops and brush piles.
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