Crappie are known by many different local names. Paper mouth, bridge perch, slabs and Speckled perch. From muddy tidal rives to deep, clear mountain lakes, anglers can find great Crappie action in just about any freshwater system in Alabama.
Alabama offers a whole lot of choices when it comes to Crappie fishing because just about every wet spot in the state has either Black Crappie or White Crappie, and many have both.
Crappie fish
Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in many Alabama lakes. Anglers can catch Crappie all year, but in the spring, they usually catch the biggest fish and find the largest concentrations. High water opens up a lot more areas to spawning with more cover and forage available.
Crappie in Alabama has shorter life but they do grow more. The warm and fertile waters in most of the state routinely turn out big numbers of eating – size Crappie over 9 inches long, whether you are a trophy hunter or just want to enjoy some tasty fillets, Alabama has a lot of offers.
Alabama state Record Crappie : The state record Black Crappie was caught from Fort Payne Reservoir, and one from Paint Creek.
When should anglers go Crappie fishing?
Spring is prime time to find them as they come to the shorelines and feeder creeks to spawn. In southern Alabama, Crappie start moving up into the spawning flats from mid of March to early April. The spawn might begin in March and could run all the way into June.
On a cool morning, fish prefer the sunny side. As the sun climbs higher, fish might move to the shady side.During summer heat, Crappie often plunge into deep waters to find more comfortable temperatures. Black Crappie prefer clearer water. White Crappie can tolerate more turbid conditions, such as in the Alabama systems.
Hot spots for Crappie fishing
When Crappie fishing in Alabama, anglers generally know the top destinations. Alabama has 4 of nation’s top 50 Crappie lakes such as Logan Martin, Weiss Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Alabama river
Harris Lake
The lake is unique in that the Crappie are so unexploited that many tend to die of old age. Crappie fishing in Alabama generally rates good
Weiss
Many anglers flock to Weiss Lake, the uppermost Coosa impoundment in northeast Alabama, and the pressure and crowded conditions in late winter. Two types of Crappie live in Alabama Black Crappie and White Crappie, with hybrids of the two occurring naturally in some lakes, such as Weiss Lake.
Weiss Lake, the “Crappie Capital of Alabama”, famed not only in the state but nationally as a spot to catch lots of Crappie.
Fishing is good from January through May on pre – spawn, spawning and post – spawn fish, and again starting in late September into early December on the ledges and deeper creeks. Fishing slows in the coldest part of winter and in the heat from June through early September.
Claiborne
We recommend Claiborne as a likely option for Crappie fishing in south central Alabama. Good Crappie fishing can also be found on the main river. Claiborne, the last impoundment on the Alabama River, is one fishery that surfaces immediately in the discussion of overlooked Crappie hotspots. it is better in numbers but not in size. This lake fish best in relatively dry springs.
Lake Guntersville
The state’s largest lake is famed as a bassing spot, but it also has really good Crappie fishing in spring. The numerous causeway bridges are often hotspots prior to the spawn and just after, particularly when there’s current flow. As spawning season ends, Crappie scatter. With warming weather, the fish might seek cooler, shady waters. Docks provide shade and abundant cover to attract and hold baitfish.
But Alabama Crappie fishing is not confined to just the top destinations. Bear Creek and Yellow Creek are famed tributaries that load up with Crappie. Also on the Tennessee River, Lake Wheeler has lots of good Crappie water from Decatur on downstream towards the dam. First Creek, Second Creek and Elk River all have plenty, and attract to a lot of fish from mid of March to mid of April.
West of central Alabama, Demopolis Reservoir looks like a hotspot in the spring. Demopolis is narrow and frequently murky with rich farm runoff, which makes it productive of bait and Crappie.
Lakes Gainesville and Aliceville have been good Crappie spots in the past. Bankshead and Holt reservoirs have good numbers of larger Crappie.
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