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Pomoxis spp.
Family: Centrarchidae
| State | Opens | Closes | Daily Limit | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Year-round | Year-round | Varies by water | Varies |
| Wisconsin | Year-round | Year-round | 25 combined panfish | None |
| Michigan | Year-round | Year-round | 25 | None |
| North Dakota | Year-round | — | Varies | None |
| South Dakota | Year-round | — | 15 combined | None |
Minnesota
Opens: Year-round · Limit: Varies by water · Size: Varies
Wisconsin
Opens: Year-round · Limit: 25 combined panfish · Size: None
Michigan
Opens: Year-round · Limit: 25 · Size: None
North Dakota
Opens: Year-round · Limit: Varies · Size: None
South Dakota
Opens: Year-round · Limit: 15 combined · Size: None
The crappie genus includes two species commonly found across the Upper Midwest: black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis). Black crappie prefer clearer water with abundant vegetation, while white crappie are more tolerant of turbidity and are often found in river systems and reservoirs. Both species are among the most popular panfish targets in the region and are considered excellent table fare — many anglers rank crappie fillets among the best-eating freshwater fish.
Crappie are colonial spawners, building nests in 3–8 feet of water over sand or gravel substrate near submerged brush, fallen trees, or emergent vegetation. Spawning typically occurs when water temperatures reach 58–65°F, usually in May across the Upper Midwest. Males fan out nest depressions and guard eggs aggressively after spawning. The pre-spawn period — when fish stage just off spawning flats — is widely considered the best crappie fishing of the year.
Crappie are schooling fish, and this behavioral trait is central to how anglers target them. When you locate one crappie, there are usually many more in the immediate area. Schools can be tightly grouped, especially in summer and winter when fish suspend over deep basins following baitfish. Modern electronics — particularly forward-facing sonar — have transformed crappie fishing by allowing anglers to locate and track suspended schools in real time.
Crappie populations can be cyclical, with boom-and-bust years driven by year-class strength. A single strong spawn year can produce exceptional fishing for 2–3 seasons as that cohort grows to harvestable size. Conversely, consecutive poor spawns can lead to thin years. State DNR agencies monitor crappie populations through gill-net and trap-net surveys, and this data — available through NomadPath’s lake reports — can help anglers identify waters with strong incoming year classes.
Spring
Crappie move from deep wintering areas toward shallow spawning habitat as water warms through the 50s. Pre-spawn fish stage on brush piles, fallen trees, and weed edges in 6–12 feet before committing to beds in 3–8 feet. This transition period offers some of the year’s most consistent fishing.
Summer
Post-spawn crappie suspend over deep basins and follow baitfish schools in 15–25 feet of water. Fish can be challenging to locate without electronics as they roam open water. Dawn and dusk remain the most productive windows, with fish moving shallower to feed during low-light periods.
Fall
Cooling water temperatures push crappie toward deeper structure as they follow shad and minnow schools. Fish begin concentrating on deep brush piles, channel edges, and basin slopes in 15–30 feet. Fall crappie can be aggressive feeders as they build reserves for winter.
Winter
Crappie are one of the most popular ice fishing targets across the Upper Midwest. Fish suspend 8–20 feet over deep basins, often in large schools. Small jigs tipped with waxworms or plastic micro-baits fished on light line are the standard presentation. Sunset through the first hour of darkness is typically the hottest bite window.
NomadPath tracks panfish stocking events and DNR survey data across all five states. While crappie naturally reproduce in most waters, stocking reports and population survey results can help you identify lakes with strong year classes entering harvestable size. Enable alerts to stay ahead of emerging crappie fisheries.
NomadPath notifies you the day crappie are stocked at your home lakes — so you’re there when fish are freshest.
Set Stocking Alerts — Free →Get stocking alerts for your crappie lakes
NomadPath notifies you the day crappie are stocked in any tracked water body across MN, WI, MI, ND, and SD.
Set Up Free Stocking Alerts| Date | Water Body | Count | Size | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28, 2025 | Jamestown Reservoir | 4 | Fingerling | North Dakota |
| May 6, 2025 | Moran Lake | 12 | Adult | North Dakota |
| Jul 1, 2024 | Cropless | 1,008 | adult | Minnesota |
| Jun 13, 2024 | Pipestem Reservoir | 153 | Adult | North Dakota |
| May 14, 2024 | Elsie, Lake | 880 | Adult | North Dakota |
| May 10, 2024 | Elsie, Lake | 258 | Adult | North Dakota |
| May 7, 2024 | Elsie, Lake | 407 | Adult | North Dakota |
| May 3, 2024 | Jamestown Reservoir | 8 | Adult | North Dakota |
| May 2, 2024 | Cottonwood | 500 | adult | South Dakota |
| Apr 25, 2024 | Elsie, Lake | 7 | Adult | North Dakota |
| Apr 22, 2024 | Ole Breum Lake | 6 | Adult | North Dakota |
| Apr 22, 2024 | Deuce Lake | 6 | Adult | North Dakota |
| Apr 15, 2024 | Tosse Slough | 567 | Adult | North Dakota |
| Jul 1, 2023 | lbs. Red Wing Pottery Pond | 285 | adult | Minnesota |