UTERBlack crappie fishing in North Dakota freshwater
In North Dakota 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: Devils Lake and the prairie reservoirs.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Black crappie in North Dakota freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakDevils Lake and the prairie reservoirs.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchPeak
- AprilArriving
- MayPeak
- JuneSpawning
- JulyLeaving
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberAround
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish black crappie near Devils Lake, Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe
Devils Lake's perch, walleye and pike, the Missouri River reservoirs, paddlefish at the confluence, and the Red River's trophy channel cats.
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 North Dakota 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: Devils Lake and the prairie reservoirs.
Where do black crappie hold in North Dakota freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, dock / pilings, bridge, river, pond / pit — around Devils Lake, Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe, Missouri River, Red River of the North.
What is the best bait for black crappie in North Dakota 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 North Dakota freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) and change — read the current rule at https://gf.nd.gov/regulations/fishing before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://gf.nd.gov/fishing/licensing.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores black crappie for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about black crappie · North Dakota fresh water, the whole year