Identification: Black crappie are pan-size fish which are silver and black. They have a large mouth and their spiny-rayed and soft-rayed dorsal fins are connected. They also have irregular black spots or blotches along their sides like a checkerboard. Black crappie have seven or eight dorsal spines and white crappie have six dorsal spines.
Habitat: Black crappie can be found throughout West Virginia in our larger streams, rivers and reservoirs. They like brushy habitat including standing timber, fallen trees and brush piles. Crappies begin to congregate near spawning areas in early spring and spawning begins when water temperatures reach 64 degrees. This is a great time of year to introduce kids to fishing because crappies can be caught easily with hook and line at this time of year.
Other: White crappie have five to six dorsal spines, rarely seven or eight like black crappie.
Habitat & Range
Black crappie can be found throughout West Virginia in our larger streams, rivers and reservoirs. They like brushy habitat including standing timber, fallen trees and brush piles. Crappies begin to congregate near spawning areas in early spring and spawning begins when water temperatures reach 64 degrees. This is a great time of year to introduce kids to fishing because crappies can be caught easily with hook and line at this time of year.
Status, Trends & Threats
Black crappie are an important recreational ïŹsh and can be managed through recreational ïŹshing regulations, which may include but are not limited to season, bag/creel limits, size limits or water body.
License & Regulations
A valid West Virginia fishing license is required for anglers age 15 and older. Licenses are available for residents, non-residents, and short-term durations. A West Virginia Trout Stamp is required to fish for or possess trout in designated trout waters. Purchase online through the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website or at authorized license retailers throughout the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Identification
Black crappie are pan-size fish which are silver and black. They have a large mouth and their spiny-rayed and soft-rayed dorsal fins are connected. They also have irregular black spots or blotches along their sides like a checkerboard. Black crappie have seven or eight dorsal spines and white crappie have six dorsal spines.
Habitat
Black crappie can be found throughout West Virginia in our larger streams, rivers and reservoirs. They like brushy habitat including standing timber, fallen trees and brush piles. Crappies begin to congregate near spawning areas in early spring and spawning begins when water temperatures reach 64 degrees. This is a great time of year to introduce kids to fishing because crappies can be caught easily with hook and line at this time of year.
Interesting Facts
Their diet consists mainly of small fish, insects, and crustaceans. Anglers use small minnows and small lures fished in brushy areas. The black crappie is a very popular sportfish in WV especially and can be found in all U.S. Army Corps. reservoirs, small impoundments and slow-moving sections of rivers and streams. The WV state record crappie was 19.75 inches and was 4.05 lbs. (Leonard Edgell, 1971). The world record crappie is 5.46 lbs. and was caught in Tennessee, 2018. Black crappie are thought to be less tolerant than white crappie to turbid water but mostly occupy the same waters in WV. One of the prettiest fish in fresh water, anglers have given them many nick names including: croppie, calico bass, speckled bass, papermouth, and speckled bass.
Regulations
West Virginia fishing regulations apply to Black Crappie. A valid West Virginia fishing license is required for anglers 15 and older. Bag and size limits vary by species and water body. Some waters have special regulations including catch-and-release only, artificial lures only, or specific size limits. Check the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Fishing Regulations for current rules specific to your fishing location.
References
| State | Category | Directory | Subcategory | Content | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | Fishing | License | License & Fees | A valid West Virginia fishing license is required for anglers age 15 and older. Licenses are available for residents, no | Link |
