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White Crappie

White Crappie

White crappie (Pomoxis annularis) is the official state freshwater fish of Louisiana, known locally as 'sac-a-lait' (French for 'sack of milk') in south Louisiana and 'white perch' in north Louisiana.

Scientific Name: Pomoxis annularis

Also known as sac-a-lait, white perch

Physical Characteristics:
  • They can be distinguished from black crappie by their 5-6 dorsal fin spines (vs 7-8 for black crappie) and faint vertical bars on their silvery sides.
  • They typically reach 10-13 inches, though Louisiana has produced multiple 3+ pound specimens, with the state record white crappie weighing 3.52 pounds from Poverty Point Reservoir.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • White crappie prefer more turbid waters than black crappie and are commonly found in rivers, bayous, and muddy waters throughout Louisiana.

Key Locations

  • Toledo Bend Reservoir, Lake D'Arbonne, Poverty Point Reservoir, the Atchafalaya Basin, Saline-Larto complex, and numerous other lakes, rivers, and bayous.
  • Popular Louisiana destinations include Toledo Bend's Chicken Coop area, Lake D'Arbonne's channels and flats, Poverty Point Reservoir's submerged structure, and the Atchafalaya Basin's Henderson Lake area.

Specific Spots

  • They prefer areas with cover such as submerged trees, brush piles, grass beds, and structure.
  • Target areas with moving water, submerged timber, brush piles, grass lines, bridge pilings, and points.

White Crappie FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Live shiners (considered among the best), 1/16 to 1/4-ounce jigheads with soft plastics in colors like monkey milk, electric chicken, Cajun grasshopper, black and chartreuse, blue and pearl, and crawfish patterns. Bobby Garland jigs and Road Runner lures in white or chartreuse work exceptionally well.

What flies work for White Crappie in Louisiana?

Small streamers like chartreuse and white Clouser minnows and minnow-imitating patterns are effective.

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

In winter, fish deeper waters (12-25 feet) around main channels, creek bends, and deep structure. As water warms to the 60s, target pre-spawn staging areas like flats, drop-offs, and the edges of spawning areas in 5-8 feet of water.

How do you catch White Crappie in Louisiana?

Use vertical jigging techniques. Use spider rigs with multiple poles for covering water efficiently, or double minnow rigs. Present baits under popping corks in shallow areas or free-line jigs near bottom structure.

What do White Crappie eat?

White crappie are aggressive predators that feed primarily on small fish including minnows, shad, and even their own young, along with insects, crustaceans, and zooplankton.

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