White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Natural-history illustration of a white crappie with distinct dark vertical bars
Reviewed species illustration. Confirm your catch with current state identification resources before keeping fish.

White crappie are the more tolerant of the two crappie species, thriving in murkier, warmer water where black crappie struggle. They're often found in rivers and more turbid reservoirs, frequently in larger schools than black crappie. Identified by six dorsal spines and vertical bar patterns (vs. the scattered spots of black crappie), whites tend to run slightly larger on average. Like all crappie, they're excellent table fish with sweet, white, flaky flesh.

Catching Tips

White crappie relate strongly to structure — bridge pilings, rock riprap, and submerged timber. Fish small spinners and inline minnow lures on ultralight gear. Spider-rigging with multiple rods and slow-trolling crappie jigs at specific depths is the technique of tournament-level crappie anglers.

World Record

5.37 lbs
Weight
Enid Dam, Mississippi
Location
1957
Year

No stocking events recorded yet for White Crappie.