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

During warmer months, many speck aficionados locate their quarry on or around deeper underwater structures that will show on electronic fish finders. Others have success by slow trolling or drifting in open water with live bait or small jigs, either singly or in tandem.

Locating a 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.

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. For an overview, noted fisheries biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have come up with what, collectively, they feel is a Top 10 list, in no particular order. For more information on Florida’s freshwater fisheries, visit www.FloridaFisheries.com.


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 the highest on record the last two falls.

LAKE TRAFFORD. About 30 miles southwest of Fort Myers, in Immokalee, this 1,500-acre lake is also regarded as a good “numbers” lake for black crappie. Preliminary reports indicate that the 2003-2004 season will be just as good as the previous two seasons when Trafford posted some of the best catch rates in the state. Biologist Ralph LaPrairie, (561) 625-5122, recommends drifting minnows early or late in the day, and if you can’t locate schooling crappie in the middle, try jigs and minnows along the vegetated shoreline.

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 (904) 985-7880. With a 12-inch minimum size limit still in effect, anglers here will have an opportunity to collect some real “slabs” by using small jigs, Bream Killers, Hal-Flies or Beetlespins, along with earthworms, crickets, Missouri minnows and grass shrimp.

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-size 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. The fall 2003 crappie samples produced good numbers of slab-size 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 Moxely (863) 499-2421. With it’s more than 13 (more to come) intensely managed lakes, Teneroc, near Lakeland, has earned a reputation as being one of the world’s leading all-around fishing sites for bass, bream and specks. Teneroc 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, 1/8 ounce Cotee Jigs or Hal-Flies for best results. Teneroc has a 10-fish bag limit and a 10-inch minimum length for crappie.

LAKE LOCHLOOSA. Located just southeast of Gainesville on U.S. Hwy 301, this 5,500 acre lake is the newest 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 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 and panicum grasses to fish when crappie get ready to spawn.

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 bass destinations, it is also gaining a reputation as one of our better speck lakes. Biologist Marty Mann rated the last two years’ 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 were especially productive last season.

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.

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, and Beauclair in the Oklawaha Chain, Lake George, Lake Marion (Polk County), Crescent Lake, Lake Hampton, and the Holly Chain (Lake County).