The black crappie (a.k.a. speckled perch, speck, or papermouth) is a favorite sportfish throughout Florida. It is also a very tasty panfish, and a generous daily bag limit of 25 fish provides a healthy “mess” of fish for many anglers.

During warmer months, many speckled perch fanatics locate their quarry on or around deeper, underwater structures that will show on electronic fish finders. Others prefer slow-trolling or drifting in open water with live bait or small jigs, either singly or in tandem, to zero-in on concentrations of crappie. Warm weather fishing at nighttime, in the glow of lantern lights and Hydro Glow 12-volt light fixtures is also becoming increasingly popular with crappie anglers.

Locating the proper depth at which crappie are feeding is vital. Sometimes they’ll be just a foot or two from the surface, while at other times, they may be a foot or two from the bottom.  Figure out their depth preference and you’re in business.

No telling when or where you’ll meet up with this finny critter in Florida, as they’re apt to be just about anywhere and everywhere. To simplify the dilemma of where to fish, noted fisheries biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have come up with a Top 10 list of suggested crappie hotspots for 2005, in no particular order. For more information on Florida’s freshwater fisheries, visit www.FloridaFisheries.com/Fishes.  

The Top 10 crappie fishing areas remain relatively unchanged for 2005, with one exception.  After being a regular on the list for several years, Lake Trafford has been removed.  A massive fish kill occurred in April 2004 when the dissolved oxygen concentration reached lethally low levels.  There is always a degree of sorrow and concern anytime a fish kill of this magnitude occurs.  However, the kill on Lake Trafford was particularly difficult because the crappie fishery there was of such a high quality and because Trafford represented the southern-most crappie fishery in the state.  FWC biologists will closely monitor the fish population on Lake Trafford and will let you know when this crappie fishery returns. 

ORANGE LAKE – Orange Lake was selected to replace Lake Trafford on this year’s Top 10 Crappie List.  After several years of low water levels and poor fishing conditions, the crappie fishery on Orange Lake has returned.  Fisheries Biologist Eric Nagid, (352) 392-9617 ext. 266, reported that anglers were having great success early in the season.  Limits of crappie were common during October and November for those fishing in open water.  Catches slowed a bit in December, but should pick up later in the spring when the crappie move ashore to spawn and become easier to find.  Eric observed that anglers were catching crappie equally well with both jigs and minnows.  Water levels have returned to normal for now, and all ramps are usable.  If you are having difficulty finding crappie in Orange Lake, just motor through Cross Creek and run to Lake Lochloosa, also on our Top 10 list.

LAKE LOCHLOOSA. Located just southeast of Gainesville on U.S. Hwy 301, this 5,500 acre lake is a recent addition to the Top 10 List. Intensive FWC management efforts, combined with higher water levels have brought new life into Lochloosa’s crappie fishery. Biologist Travis Tuten, (352) 392-9617 ext. 266, recommends you try the lily pads located at the southeast and northwest parts of the lake, as well as the narrow connection to Little Lake Lochloosa. The lake also offers anglers ample areas of maidencane to fish when crappie get ready to spawn. 

LAKE MONROE. Thanks to an ongoing FWC habitat-restoration project begun in the late 1980’s, this 9,400-acre water body near Sanford is regaining its reputation as a quality crappie lake, according to fisheries biologist Jay Holder  (352) 732-1225. Anglers here will have an opportunity to collect some real “slabs” by using small jigs, Bream Killers, Hal-Flies or Beetlespins, along with Missouri minnows and grass shrimp.

LAKE JESSUP. This 10,000 acre lake, in Seminole County between lakes Monroe and Harney, historically produces the highest crappie catch rates in the area. While the fish are plentiful, they do run a little smaller than crappie from Lake Monroe. Biologist Jay Holder, (904) 985-7880, recommends minnows, drifting in mid-lake and near Bird Island. Other popular fishing spots include the Soldier Creek area and the north end of the lake that connects to the St. Johns River.

LAKE TALQUIN. West of Tallahassee, this 8,800-acre reservoir, which produced the current Florida record for crappie (a fish weighing 3 pounds, 13 ¼ ounces), is always high on any speck angler’s agenda. Due to submerged stumps and standing timber, boaters are urged to use caution when venturing out in search of another record crappie. Remember to immediately release all crappie less than 10 inches long caught in Talquin. Numerous fish camps off S.R. 267, south of Quincy, have launching sites, and many are reporting good catches of quality-sized fish. For up-to-date information, contact Rich Caliteux at (850) 627-9674.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE. Biologist Steve Gornak, (863) 763-4666, reports that crappie should be large and plentiful again this season in Lake Okeechobee. Recent crappie samples produced good numbers of slab-sized crappie. Most of the fishing effort has been in the Kissimmee River/Fisheating Bay/Taylor Creek areas on the north end of the lake. Steve recommends jigging along the grass lines and dropping minnows in holes in the vegetation. If offshore drift-fishing is more your style, Steve also recommends the areas near Little Grassy, Eagle Bay Island and Kings Bar. 

TENOROC FISH MANAGEMENT AREA. Think quality when venturing here for crappie, especially in the facility’s unreclaimed lakes, advises Danon Moxley (863) 499-2421. With its 14 intensely managed lakes and more to come, Tenoroc, near Lakeland, has earned a reputation as being one of the nation’s leading all-around fishing sites for bass, bream and specks. Tenoroc is open to the public four days a week, so it’s advisable to call ahead for a reservation before planning a mini safari to this popular place. Moxley suggests using Missouri minnows, Beetlespins, tiny curly-tail and tube jigs, or Hal-Flies for best results. Tenoroc has a 10-fish bag limit and a 10-inch minimum length for crappie to keep the fishery going strong.

LAKE ISTOKPOGA. In Highlands County between U.S. 27 and U.S. 98 south of Sebring, Istokpoga is the fifth largest natural lake in Florida at 28,000 acres. Winter is the best time for black crappie fishing, according to FWC biologist Beacham Furse (863) 462-5190. Anglers troll open water using small jigs (Hal-Flies, doll flies, spinner jigs, “Napier” jigs, etc.) to locate schools of crappie from November through April. As water temperatures stabilize around 65 degrees, crappie will move into bulrush and spatterdock along the shoreline to spawn. The trick to catching these fish is to move slowly through the vegetation in 3 to 6 feet of water and fish a crappie jig (with or without a minnow) around the vegetation.

LAKE KISSIMMEE. While Lake Kissimmee (35,000 acres) has always been regarded as one of the state’s top largemouth bass destinations, it is also gaining a reputation as one of Florida’s premier speck lakes. Biologist Marty Mann rated recent crappie seasons as “excellent”, with some anglers throwing back 10-inch crappie, and he believes this year should be as good. He recommends minnows and jigs along the grass line and offshore. The deeper holes off of the grass lines have been especially productive during the last several seasons.

LAKE MARIAN. For those “in the know”, this 5,739-acre lake east of Lake Kissimmee appears on most lists of Top 10 speck sites. While not known for producing large crappie, Marian is widely regarded as one of the better “numbers” lakes. Catch rates of crappie 9 inches and longer in FWC samples were some of the highest on record in recent surveys.

FWC biologists said that during this annual TOP 10 crappie survey, many other Florida lakes and rivers received enough enthusiastic votes that this list could (and maybe should) have been expanded. Here is a list of some others getting high marks: Lakes Harris, Griffin, Dora and Beauclair in the Harris Chain, Lake George, Lake Marion (Polk County), Crescent Lake, Lake Hampton, and the Holly Chain (Lake County).