White Crappie Fishing Guide

Cast & Retrieve
Fishing

Cast & Retrieve Tips

Slow and Steady Retrieve
Cast your lure near structures or drop-offs and retrieve it at a slow, consistent pace to mimic the movement of a baitfish.
Stop-and-Go Retrieve
Reel in your lure with short pauses between retrieves. This erratic motion can trigger crappie to strike.
Vertical Jigging with a Cast
Cast your jig and let it sink to the desired depth, then retrieve it slowly with subtle upward jigging motions to imitate a distressed minnow.
Pendulum Swing
Cast beyond your target area and let the lure swing naturally toward you while maintaining a steady retrieve. This technique works well near submerged cover.

Best Bait & Lures

Still “Bobber” Fishing

Still Fishing Tips

Depth Adjustment
Set your bobber so that the bait is suspended just above the crappie’s likely holding depth, typically near brush piles or drop-offs.
Lightly Weighted Rig
Use a small split shot to keep your bait at the desired depth while allowing natural movement, which can attract crappie.
Minnow and Hook Setup
Hook a live minnow just below the dorsal fin and let it swim naturally under the bobber, drawing crappie’s attention.
Casting Near Cover
Cast your bobber and bait close to submerged structures like brush piles, fallen trees, or docks, where crappie often congregate.
Use of Scented Baits
Pair your bobber rig with scented soft plastics or bait, which can enhance attraction in low-visibility water.

Best Bait & Lures

Berkley Gulp! Maggot

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Powerbait Panfish Nibbles

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Berkley PowerBait Power Honey Worm

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Powerbait Fishing Bait Attractant Crappie Panfish

Berkley Gulp! Killer Crawler Fishing Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

YUM Ribbontail Grub Curly-Tail Swim-Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Baitmate Classic Scent Fish Attractant For Lures Baits

Berkley Powerbait Panfish Nibbles Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Strike King Mr Crappie Sausage Head Spins Pre Rigged Slabalicious Jig

Berkley Gulp! Alive! Waxies Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Still “Bobber” Fishing

Still Fishing Tips

Slip Sinker Rig
Use a slip sinker above a swivel, with a leader and baited hook. This allows the crappie to take the bait without feeling resistance.
Drop Shot Rig
Set up a drop shot rig with a small hook tied above the weight. Keep the bait suspended slightly off the bottom to target crappie feeding near the substrate.
Anchor Near Structure
Position your setup near underwater structures like logs, stumps, or brush piles, where crappie often feed close to the bottom.
Scented Bait Enhancements
Add scent to your bait, such as using pre-scented soft plastics or bait dips, to attract crappie in murky water or low-light conditions.

Best Bait & Lures

Berkley Gulp! Alive! Minnow Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Crappie Magnet Crappie Magnet Slab Bites

Purchase on Amazon →

Pro-Cure Crappie & Panfish Magic Super Gel

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Gulp! Maggot Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

CRP-02 Crappie Bites

Purchase on Amazon →

Rubber Maggots Fishing Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley PowerBait Crappie Nibbles Dough Fishing Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Still “Bobber” Fishing

Still Fishing Tips

Slow Strip Retrieve
Cast your fly near structure or drop-offs and retrieve it slowly with steady, short strips to mimic the movement of small baitfish or insects.
Pause and Drift
Allow the fly to drift naturally with the current after each strip. This simulates a dying or injured baitfish, which can entice crappie.
Use Weighted Flies
Fish with weighted nymphs or streamers to reach the deeper water where crappie often hold, especially in cooler months.
Target Shallow Spawning Beds
During spawning season, cast to shallow areas near vegetation or structure using surface flies like poppers to imitate small insects or minnows.
Cast and Suspend
Use a strike indicator or floating fly to keep your fly suspended at a fixed depth, making it easier for crappie to see and strike.

Best Bait & Lures

Clouser Minnow Fishing Flies

Purchase on Amazon →

Wet Fly and Nymph Fly Lure Assortment

Purchase on Amazon →

Dry/Nymph/Streamer Fly Fishing Flies

Purchase on Amazon →

Wooly Bugger Streamer Fly Hooks

Purchase on Amazon →

E-Z Floats

Purchase on Amazon →

Foam Spider Fly Fishing Set

Purchase on Amazon →

Jig Heads for Fly Fishing

Purchase on Amazon →

Dancing Waxie

Purchase on Amazon →

Ice
Fishing

Ice FIshing Tips

Jigging with Small Lures
Use small jigs or spoons tipped with live bait like minnows or waxworms. Subtle, rhythmic jigging motions can entice crappie to bite.
Dead Sticking
Let your baited hook or jig remain motionless just above the crappie’s depth. This technique is especially effective when crappie are sluggish in cold water.
Use Electronics
Employ fish finders or flasher units to locate schools of crappie and determine their depth. Adjust your bait presentation to target them directly.
Hole Hopping
Drill multiple holes in the ice and fish each briefly to locate active crappie. Move between holes until you find a productive spot.

Best Bait & Lures

Berkley Berkley PowerBait Power Honey Worm

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Gulp! Killer Crawler Fishing Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Gulp! Maggot

Purchase on Amazon →

YUM Ribbontail Grub Curly-Tail Swim-Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Powerbait Panfish Nibbles

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Powerbait Panfish Nibbles Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Gulp! Alive! Waxies Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Fishing for White Crappie is a blast, and it’s perfect for anyone who loves a fun day on the water! These fish are a bit different from their Black Crappie cousins, mainly because they thrive in murkier water and tend to hang out in schools around structures like brush piles, docks, and submerged trees. They’re also known for being a bit longer and leaner with those signature vertical stripes on their sides.

When it comes to catching White Crappie, live bait like minnows is a surefire way to go. They can’t resist it! If you prefer using lures, small jigs or crankbaits work wonders. Just make sure to fish slowly and near the bottom, especially in deeper water where they like to hide.

Spring is the best time to reel them in because they move to shallower waters to spawn. But don’t worry, you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. Whether you’re fishing from a boat or the bank, keep an eye on your line because these guys can be sneaky biters.

All in all, White Crappie fishing is simple, relaxing, and so rewarding. Plus, they make for a delicious dinner if you’re into cooking your catch!

White Crappie Fishing Facts

Location

Lakes
Ponds
Rivers
Streams

Habitats

Water clarity:
White crappie are more tolerant of turbidity.
Reservoirs and Lakes
Large bodies of water with plenty of underwater structures and varying depths are ideal habitats for White Crappie.
River Backwaters
Calm areas off main river channels, like backwaters and eddies, are often full of White Crappie.
Brush Piles and Fallen Trees
They love hiding around submerged brush, logs, or fallen trees where they can ambush prey and feel protected.
Submerged Vegetation
Aquatic plants near the shoreline or in deeper water provide cover and attract baitfish, making them a favorite spot for White Crappie.
Docks and Piers
These man-made structures offer shade and protection, making them prime locations to find crappie.

Diet

Minnows
Small Shad
Insects
Zooplankton
Crustaceans
Worms
Small Sunfish
Insect Larvae
Frogs and Tadpoles
Fish Eggs

Activity

Schooling
White Crappie often gather in large schools, making them easier to locate once found.
Feeding at Dawn and Dusk
They are most active during low-light conditions, feeding heavily in the early morning and late evening.
Suspending in Open Water
They often suspend in the water column, especially in deeper areas near drop-offs or ledges.
Sheltering in Cover
White Crappie frequently hide around brush piles, submerged logs, and aquatic vegetation for protection and ambush feeding.
Migrating with Seasons
They change locations with the seasons, moving to deeper water during the colder months and shallower areas in warmer weather.
Night Feeding
White Crappie are known to feed actively during the night, especially under the cover of darkness.

White Crappie Fishing Techniques

Cast & Retrieve
Fishing

Cast & Retrieve Tips

Slow and Steady Retrieve
Cast your lure near structures or drop-offs and retrieve it at a slow, consistent pace to mimic the movement of a baitfish.
Stop-and-Go Retrieve
Reel in your lure with short pauses between retrieves. This erratic motion can trigger crappie to strike.
Vertical Jigging with a Cast
Cast your jig and let it sink to the desired depth, then retrieve it slowly with subtle upward jigging motions to imitate a distressed minnow.
Pendulum Swing
Cast beyond your target area and let the lure swing naturally toward you while maintaining a steady retrieve. This technique works well near submerged cover.

Best Bait & Lures

Crappie Marabou Feather Hair Jigs

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley PowerBait Power Grubs Fishing Soft Bai

Purchase on Amazon →

rappie Baits Plastics Jig Heads Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

Dovesun Crappie Lures Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

Crappie Jigs and Lures Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

TRUSCEND Pre-Rigged Soft Fishing Lures

Purchase on Amazon →

TRUSCEND Pre-Rigged Soft Fishing Lures

Purchase on Amazon →

Still “Bobber” Fishing

Still Fishing Tips

Depth Adjustment
Set your bobber so that the bait is suspended just above the crappie’s likely holding depth, typically near brush piles or drop-offs.
Lightly Weighted Rig
Use a small split shot to keep your bait at the desired depth while allowing natural movement, which can attract crappie.
Minnow and Hook Setup
Hook a live minnow just below the dorsal fin and let it swim naturally under the bobber, drawing crappie’s attention.
Casting Near Cover
Cast your bobber and bait close to submerged structures like brush piles, fallen trees, or docks, where crappie often congregate.
Use of Scented Baits
Pair your bobber rig with scented soft plastics or bait, which can enhance attraction in low-visibility water.

Best Bait & Lures

Berkley Gulp! Maggot

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Powerbait Panfish Nibbles

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Berkley PowerBait Power Honey Worm

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Gulp! Killer Crawler Fishing Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

YUM Ribbontail Grub Curly-Tail Swim-Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Powerbait Panfish Nibbles Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Gulp! Alive! Waxies Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Still “Bobber” Fishing

Still Fishing Tips

Slip Sinker Rig
Use a slip sinker above a swivel, with a leader and baited hook. This allows the crappie to take the bait without feeling resistance.
Drop Shot Rig
Set up a drop shot rig with a small hook tied above the weight. Keep the bait suspended slightly off the bottom to target crappie feeding near the substrate.
Anchor Near Structure
Position your setup near underwater structures like logs, stumps, or brush piles, where crappie often feed close to the bottom.
Scented Bait Enhancements
Add scent to your bait, such as using pre-scented soft plastics or bait dips, to attract crappie in murky water or low-light conditions.

Best Bait & Lures

Berkley Gulp! Alive! Minnow Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Crappie Magnet Crappie Magnet Slab Bites

Purchase on Amazon →

Pro-Cure Crappie & Panfish Magic Super Gel

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley Gulp! Maggot Fishing Soft Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

CRP-02 Crappie Bites

Purchase on Amazon →

Rubber Maggots Fishing Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Berkley PowerBait Crappie Nibbles Dough Fishing Bait

Purchase on Amazon →

Still “Bobber” Fishing

Still Fishing Tips

Slow Strip Retrieve
Cast your fly near structure or drop-offs and retrieve it slowly with steady, short strips to mimic the movement of small baitfish or insects.
Pause and Drift
Allow the fly to drift naturally with the current after each strip. This simulates a dying or injured baitfish, which can entice crappie.
Use Weighted Flies
Fish with weighted nymphs or streamers to reach the deeper water where crappie often hold, especially in cooler months.
Target Shallow Spawning Beds
During spawning season, cast to shallow areas near vegetation or structure using surface flies like poppers to imitate small insects or minnows.
Cast and Suspend
Use a strike indicator or floating fly to keep your fly suspended at a fixed depth, making it easier for crappie to see and strike.

Best Bait & Lures

Clouser Minnow Fishing Flies

Purchase on Amazon →

Wet Fly and Nymph Fly Lure Assortment

Purchase on Amazon →

Dry/Nymph/Streamer Fly Fishing Flies

Purchase on Amazon →

Wooly Bugger Streamer Fly Hooks

Purchase on Amazon →

E-Z Floats

Purchase on Amazon →

Foam Spider Fly Fishing Set

Purchase on Amazon →

Jig Heads for Fly Fishing

Purchase on Amazon →

Dancing Waxie

Purchase on Amazon →

Ice
Fishing

Ice FIshing Tips

Jigging with Small Lures
Use small jigs or spoons tipped with live bait like minnows or waxworms. Subtle, rhythmic jigging motions can entice crappie to bite.
Dead Sticking
Let your baited hook or jig remain motionless just above the crappie’s depth. This technique is especially effective when crappie are sluggish in cold water.
Use Electronics
Employ fish finders or flasher units to locate schools of crappie and determine their depth. Adjust your bait presentation to target them directly.
Hole Hopping
Drill multiple holes in the ice and fish each briefly to locate active crappie. Move between holes until you find a productive spot.