Crappie Fishing In Washington State

Guide to fishing for white and black crappie in WA.

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Crappie Fishing

How To Fish For Crappie In Washington

Crappie, esteemed for their delectable flesh and spirited fights, present an enticing challenge for anglers of all experience levels. These schooling fish offer an array of opportunities for catching crappie throughout the year. Understanding their habits and preferred environments is key to success. Many Washington lakes offer both black crappie and white crappie.

Crappie Fishing Video

Best Way To Catch Crappie

Use light tackle, with 4 to 6-pound line and small hooks (#2 or #4) for live bait. Small crappie jigs are also productive and come in a wide range of colors to work in varied water clarity. Experiment with colors until you find the one that works best that day. For drifting or trolling, 1.2 miles per hour seems to be an ideal starting point. For jigging, experiment with very slow, to aggressive action.

Crappie Fishing Options

Black Crappie

Black crappie, also known as specks, are typically found in deeper, cooler waters. They are known for their distinctive black mottled patterns and their preference for submerged vegetation or woody cover. Anglers targeting black crappie often use techniques such as vertical jigging, casting with small jigs or minnow imitations, or fishing with live bait near structures. The current Washington state record for black crappie stands at over 4 pounds

White Crappie

White crappie, also known as silver perch, are known for their silvery coloration and vertical stripes. They are more tolerant of warm water and can be found in shallower areas with less cover. White crappie are often found near submerged brush, fallen trees, or rocky shorelines. Anglers targeting white crappie in Washington lakes often use similar techniques as with black crappie, such as jigging or using live bait. The current Washington state record for white crappie is over 2 pounds.

Locating Schools Of Crappie In Washington

Generally speaking, warm-water lakes with submerged brush create the ideal environment for crappie. In Washington, Palmer Lake, Potholes Reservoir and Lake Washington are among the best opportunities for finding great crappie holes this year. Other lakes in the state also have nice populations of crappie. Using a fish finder is the best way to locate crappie. They tend to be school up near brush (or other cover), and tend to stack vertically on the fish finder screen. Without a fish finder, use the old-fashion method of trial and error in areas with submerged brush.

Spring emerges as the prime season for crappie enthusiasts in Washington, as these cunning fish engage in their annual spawning runs. During this time, they exhibit heightened activity levels, making them more susceptible to angling efforts. Crappies are particularly fond of cover, seeking refuge among submerged brush, stumps, or artificial structures. These structures provide shelter and ambush points, making them ideal hunting grounds for crappie anglers.

Top Crappie Fishing Techniques

Still-fishing, casting, trolling, and drifting are all viable methods for enticing these elusive fish. Each approach requires careful consideration of factors such as water depth, structure, and prevailing weather conditions. Anglers must adapt their tactics accordingly.

In the early hours of dawn, crappies often venture closer to the surface in search of prey. As the sun ascends in the sky, they gradually descend to depths of 5 to 10 feet or more, depending on water clarity and environmental variables. Midday finds them seeking refuge in deeper waters, often retreating to depths of 25 feet or beyond. However, as dusk approaches, crappies may once again ascend towards shallower water depths, drawn by the fading light and the promise of nocturnal feeding opportunities.

Night Fishing For Crappie

Fishing for crappie at night presents a particularly enticing prospect for crappie enthusiasts, with the cover of darkness often enhancing their feeding instincts. Warm-water lakes, in particular, offer fertile grounds for nocturnal angling excursions year round. Crappie fishing lights, strategically positioned to attract insects and smaller baitfish, can serve as beacons of opportunity for opportunistic crappies prowling in the darkness. Live minnows or crappie jigs are the top producers at night. At night, anchor over deeper water nearby brushy shorelines and allow the crappie lights to draw the fish to you.

Ice Fishing For Crappie

When the cold winter weather sets in and the lakes in Washington freeze over, it's time to dig out the ice fishing gear. Crappie fishing through the ice can make a fun day for anglers of all ages. Visit the Washington Ice Fishing page for details.

Bait For Crappie

When it comes to bait selection, crappies exhibit a voracious appetite for a variety of offerings. Live bait, especially minnows, are often the best bait for crappie. In addition, worms and crickets are perennial favorites among many anglers, enticing bites with their natural movements and scents. Artificial lures, including jigs, spinners, and soft plastics, also hold considerable appeal, mimicking the appearance and behavior of crappie's preferred prey.

Where To Find Crappie

As for the question of where to catch crappie, the answer lies in their penchant for structure and cover. Washington lakes, ponds, rivers, and reservoirs all provide potential habitats for these versatile fish. Anglers should focus their efforts on areas with ample cover, such as submerged vegetation, fallen trees, and rocky outcrops. By carefully assessing the aquatic landscape and employing effective fishing techniques, anglers can unlock the secrets of crappie fishing and enjoy bountiful harvests year-round.

Best Crappie Fishing Lakes In The State

All about fishing for white and black crappie.

Washington has somewhat limited crappie fishing. There are healthy schools in a few major lakes including Alder Lake, Banks Lake, Lake Tapps, Lake Umatilla, Lake Wallula, Lake Washington, Palmer Lake, Potholes Reservoir, Riffe Lake, Rock Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Silver Lake and Vancouver Lake. Crappie can also be found in parks, ponds, rivers and small lakes across the state. Crappie are very popular among many ice fishing enthusiasts.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Top 5 crappie fishing lures for Washington this year

Crappie jigs work well in water from 2' to 40' deep, and are the most popular artificial lure for crappie ever. When crappie are shallow, spinners, small crankbaits and underspins are the often very productive. As they move deeper, spoons are among the top producers if the crappie are active. Review details for the best crappie rig options. Understanding the seasonal movements of crappie can enhance your chances of using these lures in the ideal locations.

The state record black crappie was taken out of Lake Washington.

The state record white crappie was caught from the Columbia River - Burbank Slough.

Small jigs, live minnows, small spinners and other small lures will catch crappie. Use light line (six pound or less) and work the baits slowly - especially in cold water.

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in many Washington lakes. Crappie are known by many different local names. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch, slabs and speckled perch, are just a few.

Check out crappie information, by state.

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