Skip to main content

Black Crappie

Black Crappie

Black crappie are a non-native species now distributed throughout New Hampshire.

First documented in 1938 in Horseshoe Pond (Merrimack) and the Merrimack River (Nashua), they've expanded to over 100 water bodies across the state through NH Fish and Game stocking (1990-2002) and illegal transfers.

Scientific Name: Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These deep-bodied, laterally compressed fish have large mouths extending past the eye's middle when closed, with 7-8 dorsal spines and 5-7 anal spines.
  • They display dark olive backs with yellowish-green to silver sides featuring dark mottling.
  • Adults typically range 5-12 inches but can reach 16+ inches and 1-2 pounds in New Hampshire waters.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Black crappie are found in eight of New Hampshire's ten counties: Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, and Strafford.
  • They inhabit quiet waters near cover like vegetation, fallen trees, and boulders, forming small schools.

Key Locations

  • Productive New Hampshire waters include Lake Massabesic (Auburn/Manchester), Pawtuckaway Lake (Nottingham), Lake Winnipesaukee, Bellamy Reservoir (Madbury), Turtletown Pond (Concord), Big Island Pond (Derry), Glen Lake (Goffstown), and numerous smaller ponds and river systems including the Merrimack River.

Specific Spots

  • Target depths of 2-12 feet during spring spawning season around vegetation, rocks, and large woody material, then focus on deeper main basin areas (10-25+ feet) during summer, fall, and winter.
  • Males building circular nests in 3-8 feet of water on mud to sand bottoms hidden in vegetation.

Black Crappie FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

The most effective lures are small jigs (1/16, 1/32, and 1/8-ounce jigheads), tubes, and live minnows. For jig colors, use bright combinations for sunny days and darker colors for overcast conditions or stained water - monkey milk, chartreuse combinations, and contrasting color combos are particularly effective.

What flies work for Black Crappie in New Hampshire?

Size 8-10 single-hook streamers including Gray Ghost, Black-Nosed Dace, Mickey Finn, Black Ghost, Meredith Special, Beadhead Olive Crystal Bugger, and Beadhead Chartreuse Crystal Bugger.

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

Most productive during spring pre-spawn and spawn periods when water temperatures reach the mid-50s to low 60s, and again in fall when fish feed aggressively preparing for winter. They spawn when water temperatures reach 58-64°F in spring.

How do you catch Black Crappie in New Hampshire?

Popular techniques include vertical jigging, casting small lures, and fishing under slip bobbers. Use depth finders to locate schools and target whatever depth they're swimming at or slightly above, as crappie will come up for bait but won't dive down.

Where do Black Crappie live in New Hampshire?

Black crappie are found in eight of New Hampshire's ten counties: Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, and Strafford. They inhabit quiet waters near cover like vegetation, fallen trees, and boulders, forming small schools.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Black Crappie.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Black Crappie water

    Pick Black Crappie and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Black Crappie

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Black Crappie are.

Open the map, filter by Black Crappie, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

New Hampshire licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore New Hampshire waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.