Black Crappie Native
🔬 Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Schooling fish, excellent eating. Suspended near structure.
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Bite this month
Good
Best season
Spring, Summer
Keeper size
9" at ~3 yrs
Ice fishing
Viable target
Regulations
limit 25
Where to Catch Black Crappie in Michigan
Black Crappie Conservation Status
Native Black Crappie is native to Michigan waters. Abundant statewide. One of the most commonly caught Michigan panfish. The daily bag limit is 25.
Black Crappie Habitat & Behavior
Clear, deep lakes with good oxygen. Schools near submerged brush piles, docks, and bridge pilings. DNR records show Black Crappie present in 374 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Clare, Oakland and Livingston counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov. Black Crappie is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.
Best Black Crappie Techniques
Small jigs, minnows under a bobber near brush piles
Best Black Crappie Baits
Small jigs, minnows, wax worms, tiny spinners, soft plastic grubs
Black Crappie Fishing Regulations in Michigan
25
Daily limit
50
Possession limit
Year-round
Season
No minimum size on most waters. Check specific lake regulations as some have 9" or 10" minimums.
⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually.
Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.
Michigan DNR Black Crappie Stocking Records
Black Crappie Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 25, 2025 | Dewey Lake | 1,500 | 5" | |
| Nov 5, 2025 | Big Clinton Lake | 250 total | 5" | |
| Nov 5, 2025 | stocking event | 150 | 5" | |
| Nov 15, 2024 | stocking event | 100 | 5" | |
| Nov 4, 2025 | Clinton Trails Lake | 250 total | 5" | |
| Nov 4, 2025 | stocking event | 150 | 5" | |
| Nov 15, 2024 | stocking event | 100 | 5" | |
| Nov 1, 2025 | Jose Lake | 741 total | 5" | |
| Nov 1, 2025 | stocking event | 348 | 5" | |
| Nov 23, 2024 | stocking event | 393 | 5" | |
| Oct 9, 2025 | Jewell Lake Alcona County | Alcona | 4,500 | 4" |
| May 10, 2025 | Eagle Lake Allegan County | Allegan | 1,000 | 6" |
| Nov 26, 2024 | Lake Bel Air | 300 total | 3.5"–5" | |
| Nov 26, 2024 | stocking event | 200 | 5" | |
| Nov 29, 2022 | stocking event | 100 | 3.5" | |
| Nov 26, 2024 | Lake Le Ann | 1,000 | 5" | |
| Nov 21, 2024 | Lake St. Helen Roscommon County | Roscommon | 1,500 | 5" |
| Nov 19, 2024 | Bennett Lake Livingston County | Livingston | 588 total | 4.5" |
| Nov 19, 2024 | stocking event | 238 | 4.5" | |
| Nov 3, 2022 | stocking event | 350 | 4.5" | |
| Nov 19, 2024 | Lobdell Lake Genesee County | Genesee | 550 total | 3"–4.5" |
| Nov 19, 2024 | stocking event | 200 | 3" | |
| Nov 3, 2022 | stocking event | 350 | 4.5" | |
| Nov 1, 2024 | Huyck Lake | 1,000 | 5" | |
| Oct 30, 2024 | Eight Point Lake Clare County | Clare | 680 | 5" |
| Oct 31, 2023 | Arnold Lake Clare County | Clare | 750 | 5" |
| Jun 7, 2023 | Bertha Lake | 150 | 5" | |
| May 6, 2023 | Wildfowl Lake | 1,000 | 4.5" | |
| Nov 21, 2022 | Cedar Lake Lapeer County | Lapeer | 200 | 5" |
| Nov 21, 2022 | Cedar Lake Leelanau County | Leelanau | 200 | 5" |
| Nov 8, 2022 | Shamrock Lake Clare County | Clare | 380 | 5" |
Showing the 25 most recent stocking events for Black Crappie, across 19 lakes. Lakes with several events can be expanded.
Black Crappie DNR Stocking History
Total stocked: 168,723
Stocking events: 228
Peak year: 2014 (17,179)
228
Historical stocking events
116
Lakes stocked
May
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Oct
Nov
May
Top Stocked Lakes
Eight Point Lake
Clare Co.
Bennett Lake
Livingston Co.
Lobdell Lake
Genesee Co.
Townline Lake
Schoolcraft Co.
Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
Estimated Mature Black Crappie, November
Based on DNR stocking records from 2021–2024 (2–5 years ago), these 15 lakes likely hold mature Black Crappie at or near 9" keeper size today.
1
Victoria Reservoir
~1500
est. mature
→
2
Jewell Lake
~450
est. mature
→
3
Eight Point Lake
~425
est. mature
→
4
Chain Lakes
~250
est. mature
→
5
Lake St. Helen
~225
est. mature
→
6
Wildfowl Lake
~150
est. mature
→
7
Huyck Lake
~150
est. mature
→
8
Lake Le Ann
~150
est. mature
→
9
Budd Lake
~100
est. mature
→
10
Arnold Lake
~100
est. mature
→
11
Bennett Lake
~90
est. mature
→
12
Lobdell Lake
~80
est. mature
→
13
Barnes Lake
~60
est. mature
→
14
Jose Lake
~60
est. mature
→
15
Shamrock Lake
~60
est. mature
→
Estimates based on average stocking-size survival rates. Actual populations vary by habitat, fishing pressure, and lake conditions. Data sourced from Michigan DNR.
Best Times to Fish Black Crappie
❄️ Black Crappie is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.
Angler Tips for Black Crappie
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