ND White Crappie Fishing Guide

Sunfish Family: Sunfish family members are deep and stockily built, attractive in coloration and popular as panfish. Most sunfish spawn in early summer, when water temperatures warm to the mid-60 and low 70-degree range. Male sunfish build nests by excavating soft substrate with their fins to expose sand, gravel, roots or other firm objects for females to lay their eggs over.

Identification: Dorsal fin has a spiny front portion and a soft-rayed rear portion Looks similar to the black crappie , but only has 5-6 spines in the dorsal fin The dark spots on its sides are consolidated into vertical bars

Notes: The white crappie is more tolerant of turbid water and well-suited to reservoirs where those conditions exist. Black and white crappies are commonly captured together. Anglers will often locate crappies suspended in the water column, typically in relation to creek or river channels in reservoirs.

Habitat & Range

The white crappie is more tolerant of turbid water and well-suited to reservoirs where those conditions exist. Black and white crappies are commonly captured together. Anglers will often locate crappies suspended in the water column, typically in relation to creek or river channels in reservoirs.

Fishing Season

Open year-round (April 1 – March 31)

License & Regulations

A valid North Dakota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident licenses are available. Two free fishing days per year (typically in June and December) allow fishing without a license. Purchase licenses online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website.

References

• North Dakota — White Crappie