Wisconsin Crappie Fishing

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Wisconsin Crappie Fishing

Here is a handy guide about Wisconsin crappie fishing.

Black Crappie
Wisconsin Crappie Fishing - White Crappie

White Crappie

One must use care when fishing for crappie. Also known as "papermouths," crappie have very delicate mouths which tear easily. Realize, too, that to be a successful in catching them means the bait always has to be kept moving.

Bass Pro Shops Marabou Tinsel Crappie Jigs

Click for crappie jigs

During the summer, successful Wisconsin crappie fishing may be more difficult because crappie feed on smaller fish and since spring is the typical spawning season, the summer months are rife with small fish. These keep the crappie well-fed during this time. In winter, however, crappie are much hungrier and small minnows are used for bait. They also feed on aquatic insects and zooplankton.

Wisconsin is home to both the Black Crappie and the White Crappie although the black variety is more common. Black Crappie have a black to dark olive back, silver sides with dark green or black blotches. White Crappie have a green back, silvery green to white sides with 7 to 9 dark, vertical bars, and is the only sunfish with six spines in both the dorsal and anal fin. Both are found all over the state in quiet, clear water of streams and mid-sized lakes. They often remain close to weed growth but may roam deep, open basins and flats particularly during winter. One fishing technique we found discussed finding changes in the terrain at the lake bottom, such as, a ledge, fallen tree or the edge of a weed bed. Crappie like to cling to these edges of change and looking for these has been known as a successful fishing technique.

Spawning occurs from May to June when water temperatures reach the high 50s, although during colder seasons, spawning may be delayed until July. In this species, the male guards the nest and fry until the young crappies are feeding on their own. The average size is from 7 – 12 inches and the average weight is 10 ounces to 1 pound.

Storm WildEye Live Series Lures - Crappie

Click for crappie lures

Pursued for its sweet-tasting white fillets, it is an aggressive carnivore that will hit everything from waxworms and fatheads to jigging spoons. Not noted as a tremendous fighter, but puts up a good struggle. The Crappie feeds at night and in the winter. Black Crappie prefer cleaner water and more vegetation than and rests in shallower water than the White crappie. Since White Crappie is so accepting of cloudy water, there is speculation that there is a relationship between White Crappie and the Common Carp.

The most popular is method employed to catch crappie is called "Spider Rigging," a method characterized by a fisherman in a boat with many long fishing rods pointing away from the angler at various angles like spokes from a wheel. Some of the most popular are plastic jigs with lead jig heads, crank baits or live minnows. Many anglers also chum or dump live bait into the water to attract the fish hoping the fish will bite their bait. Crappie are also regularly targeted and caught during the spawning period by fly fishermen, and can be taken from frozen ponds and lakes in winter by ice fishing. If you're planning on some crappie spider fishing, check out the rig below.

If you have your own tips or comments on Wisconsin crappie fishing, please share them with us.

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