| Are you thinking of crappie fishing in Washington | | | | quieter backwaters. Both types can grow over |
| but you want to know exactly how to do so | | | | five pounds but the average is more like one to |
| successfully and like the pros? When we think of | | | | three pounds. |
| crappie, all fishermen don't think of Washington | | | | Great Washington Crappie Waters |
| first but if you live in this great state, you may | | | | So now that you know about the great crappie |
| already know that there are actually many great | | | | that can be found in Washington, are you |
| bodies of water for fishing for freshwater crappie | | | | wondering about the best bodies of water to find |
| of all sizes. | | | | them in? The great thing about crappie is that |
| About Washington Crappie | | | | they can be found in most any freshwater |
| Crappie are actually found in all of the continental | | | | location. However, there are some lakes and |
| states. They are a member of the sunfish family | | | | ponds that are especially known for having a lot |
| and they enjoy freshwaters such as ponds and | | | | of crappie or record-sized crappie in them. |
| lakes all over the country. Depending on where in | | | | Some Washington places known for great crappie |
| the world you are from, crappie are known by | | | | fishing are: |
| many different names such as goggleye, bridge | | | | Alder Lake |
| perch, paper mouth and speckled perch. | | | | Banks Lake |
| The state record for black crappie in Washington | | | | Franklin D Roosevelt Lake |
| was caught from Lake Washington and the state | | | | Lake Umatilla (John Day) |
| record for white crappie was caught in the | | | | Lake Wallula (McNary) |
| Columbia River at | | | | Palmer Lake |
| Burbank Slough. | | | | Potholes Reservoir |
| Types of Crappie | | | | Riffe Lake |
| There are many different types of crappie and | | | | Spirit Lake |
| most all species can be found in Washington. The | | | | Vancouver Lake. |
| two main classifications of crappie are the white | | | | Washington will affect the type of techniques you |
| and the black. Black crappie, as the name | | | | use. Spring is commonly the best time to fish for |
| suggests is usually darker and they have seven | | | | crappie, even in Washington. They most often |
| or eight dorsal spines and spotted sides. They are | | | | spawn at this time and they spend more time in |
| much more common in the northern states like | | | | shallower waters. When you find a crappie hot |
| Washington and are usually found in deeper | | | | spot this is the ideal time to stay at it and fish as |
| waters such as river impoundments. | | | | long as you can. |
| White crappie are more commonly found in | | | | In summer, it is best to fish for Washington |
| southern states but some species are fished in | | | | crappie in the morning or evening hours. You may |
| Washington as well. They are lighter in color than | | | | need to fish deeper in the waters, sometimes as |
| the black crappie and they have only six dorsal | | | | far as 35-40 feet to find crappie. Try fishing with |
| spines. They may have eight or nine vertical | | | | live bait, crappie jigs and spoons. |
| bands on their sides. They enjoy the calmer, | | | | |