UTERBlack crappie fishing in Wisconsin freshwater
In Wisconsin 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 at dusk over the basin.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Black crappie in Wisconsin freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakIce crappie at dusk over the basin.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchPeakLast ice.
- AprilArriving
- MayPeak
- JuneSpawningSpawn in the reeds.
- JulyLeaving
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberAround
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish black crappie near Lake Winnebago, Wolf River, Chippewa Flowage
Northern muskie and walleye lakes around Hayward and the Vilas County chain, the Winnebago system's walleye, white bass and sturgeon, driftless trout creeks, and the Mississippi.
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 Wisconsin 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 at dusk over the basin.
Where do black crappie hold in Wisconsin freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, dock / pilings, bridge, river, pond / pit — around Lake Winnebago, Wolf River, Chippewa Flowage, Madison chain, Lake Geneva, Mississippi River.
What is the best bait for black crappie in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Wisconsin DNR) and change — read the current rule at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/outreach/FishingLicenses.
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