Crappie

Black Crappie

Common Names: Calico bass, strawberry bass, crappie, spotted crappie.

Description: Anal fin almost the same size as the dorsal fin.  Color pattern of irregular dark splotches on a light background.  Best method of identification: black crappie has 7 or 8 spines in the dorsal fin.
 

White Crappie

Common Names: Crappie, silver crappie, bachelor, newlight.

Description: Anal fin almost the same size as the dorsal fin.  Color pattern of dark splotches arranged in vertical bands on a pale background.  Best method of identification: white crappie have 5 or 6 spines in the dorsal fin.

   Both white and black crappie are found throughout Carlyle Lake.  However, it is the bays with stickups, river and creek channels, bottomland lakes, and rock rip-rap areas that generally produce the better catches as they like an abundance of cover that also offers shade.  There are no striking differences in the habits of these two species; however, it appears black crappie seem to prefer stump or heavy brush areas more than white crappie.  These species spawn in April and May.  Fishing success deteriorates during the summer months as they move into deeper water.  Anglers who can locate crappie in their deeper haunts will find that these fish can be caught even during the summer.
     Minnows and jigs, or a combination of the two, are the most popular baits.  Both can be fished in a variety of ways.  Long shanked wire hooks, No. 6 to No. 2, are the most common sizes used by minnow fishermen.  Fiberglass extension poles 8 to 12 feet long, fly rods, and cane poles are the types of rods generally used.  These are rigged with monofilament line, with a tensile strength of  8 to 15 pounds, so crappie can be pulled from the brush upon hooking or so the line is strong enough to pull free from snags by straightening out the wire hook.
 

Species

Illinois State Record

North American Record

Black Crappie: 

4 lb. / 8 oz.-  5/15/76
Rend Lake; Franklin County

6 lb. / 0 oz.  -  11/28/69
Westwego Canal, LA

White Crappie: 

4 lb. / 7 oz.  -  4/8/73
Farm Pond; Morgan County

5 lb. / 3 oz.  -  7/31/57
Enid Dam, MS