UTERBlack crappie fishing in Michigan freshwater
In Michigan freshwater, black crappie peak March and May–June and October and December–January and are around year-round, spawning in June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Ice crappie in the inland lakes.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Black crappie in Michigan freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakIce crappie in the inland lakes.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchPeakLast ice in the canals.
- AprilArriving
- MayPeakPre-spawn in the canals and channels.
- JuneSpawning
- JulyLeaving
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberAround
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish black crappie near Au Sable River, Pere Marquette, Houghton Lake
Eleven thousand inland lakes for walleye, pike, bass and panfish, the Au Sable and Pere Marquette trout rivers, and the Great Lakes' runs (see the lake guides).
What to use for black crappie
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- Grass shrimpTwo or three on a #6 hook under a small cork — the bream, crappie, sheepshead and mangrove snapper bait nobody sells.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 38–86°F water, best at 56–72°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch black crappie in Michigan freshwater?
Peak season is March and May–June and October and December–January, with fish spawning in June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Black crappie are here year-round. January: Ice crappie in the inland lakes.
Where do black crappie hold in Michigan freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, dock / pilings, bridge, river, pond / pit — around Au Sable River, Pere Marquette, Houghton Lake, Lake St. Clair, Burt Lake, Manistee River.
What is the best bait for black crappie in Michigan freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), grass shrimp. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for black crappie in Michigan freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/license-info.
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