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White Crappie

White Crappie

White crappie are abundant across Kansas and ideally suited to the state's large reservoirs, ranking as one of the most popular sportfish due to their prolific numbers and delicious white meat.

Kansas' rich northeastern reservoir waters produce some of the finest white crappie fishing found anywhere in the U. S.

Scientific Name: Pomoxis annularis

Physical Characteristics:
  • White crappie can be distinguished from black crappie by their 5-6 dorsal fin spines (versus 7-8 on black crappie) and distinctive dark vertical bars on their silvery sides rather than random spots.
  • They have deep, laterally compressed bodies that are iridescent olive green on the back and silvery white on the sides, with large oblique mouths equipped with small conical teeth.
  • Adults typically reach 9-10 inches and weigh around 2 pounds, though Kansas' state record weighed 4 pounds, 1/4 ounce.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • White crappie are most abundant in reservoirs and lakes greater than 5 acres.

Key Locations

  • Focus on northeastern Kansas reservoirs like Toronto (ranked #1), Melvern, Hillsdale, Perry, and Elk City, plus productive smaller waters like Scott State Fishing Lake, Eureka City Lake, and numerous community lakes.
  • Kansas waters supporting excellent white crappie populations include major reservoirs like Toronto, Melvern, Hillsdale, Perry, and numerous state fishing lakes and city lakes throughout the state.

Specific Spots

  • They thrive in areas with cover such as submerged trees, stumps, brush, aquatic vegetation, and boulders around dropoffs, standing timber, and brushy cover.
  • Target depths of 6-20 feet during most seasons, moving to deeper creek channels and river channels in winter.

White Crappie FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Effective lures include 1/8-ounce jigs with plastic or marabou bodies in chartreuse and white for clear water, switching to black and chartreuse in murky conditions. Small soft plastic lures, curly tail grubs, hair jigs, baby shad imitations, and tubes in sizes 1.5-3 inches work well.

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

Prime white crappie fishing in Kansas occurs during spring (April-May) when fish move shallow before spawning, and again in fall when they feed aggressively preparing for winter. They feed most actively from June through October, with moderate spring feeding and reduced winter activity.

How do you catch White Crappie in Kansas?

Fish slowly with slip bobber rigs or vertical presentations around submerged timber, brush piles, rocky areas, and dropoffs. For bank fishing, focus on areas with gradual depth changes near spawning habitat, fishing jetties, marina areas, and rocky shorelines.

What do White Crappie eat?

Their diet consists primarily of zooplankton as juveniles, transitioning to small fish like minnows and young shad, large invertebrates like crayfish, and insects as adults.

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