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Black Crappie

Black Crappie

Black crappie in Missouri are distinguished from white crappie by their 7-8 dorsal fin spines and irregularly arranged speckles and blotches rather than vertical bars.

These deep-bodied, laterally compressed panfish are found statewide but are most prevalent in large Ozark reservoirs, upper Mississippi River navigation pools, and natural lakes of the Bootheel lowlands, with lower abundance in extreme south-central Missouri.

Scientific Name: Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Deep-bodied, laterally compressed panfish with 7-8 dorsal fin spines and irregularly arranged speckles and blotches rather than vertical bars.
  • They typically reach 9-10 inches with some up to 14 inches and weights to 4 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found statewide but are most prevalent in large Ozark reservoirs, upper Mississippi River navigation pools, and natural lakes of the Bootheel lowlands, with lower abundance in extreme south-central Missouri.
  • They prefer clear water with submerged timber or aquatic vegetation in standing water bodies and slow-flowing backwaters.

Key Locations

  • Major populations exist at Table Rock Lake, Truman Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Lake of the Ozarks.
  • Key locations include Table Rock Lake's James River arm, Truman Lake's various creek arms, and Bull Shoals Lake's Theodosia arm.

Specific Spots

  • Concentrate fishing efforts around woody cover, brush piles, and docks regardless of season.
  • Target docks, concrete bridge piers, and submerged structures.
  • For summer fishing, target deeper brush piles in 15-20 feet of water around creek channels and main lake points, focusing on concrete bridge piers in reservoirs.
  • Night fishing around lighted docks and structures.

Black Crappie FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Black Crappie in Missouri?

Use small jigs (1/32 to 1/16 ounce) in chartreuse, white, and pink colors, often tipped with minnows. Small minnows for slip-bobber rigs.

What flies work for Black Crappie in Missouri?

Small streamers like Clouser minnows in chartreuse and white, woolly buggers, and small nymphs during spring spawning periods.

When is the best time to fish for Black Crappie in Missouri?

Spring offers the best fishing, particularly April through May after spawning. Summer fishing targets deeper brush piles in 15-20 feet of water. Night fishing during July and August can be productive. Fall brings excellent dock fishing in the upper 10 feet of the water column.

How do you catch Black Crappie in Missouri?

Effective techniques include vertical jigging around standing timber and brush piles, casting small jigs past structure and slowly retrieving, and using slip-bobber rigs with small minnows. Winter fishing requires very slow presentations.

What do Black Crappie eat?

They feed primarily on small fish like minnows and young shad, plus aquatic insects and small crustaceans. Juveniles consume zooplankton and microcrustaceans, transitioning to larger prey as adults.

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