Florida Crappie Fishing Tips (Free Guides)

Florida Crappie Fishing Tips
Florida Crappie Fishing Tips

One of the most sought-after pan fish in Florida, crappie, or speckled perch as they are sometimes called can be found in most lakes, rivers, and other sizable bodies of water. Because of the warm weather the year-round, particularly in the southern part of the state, crappie can be caught whenever you feel like going out on the lake.

Thanks to the warm conditions and the many sources of food for the crappie, they tend to grow larger in Florida compared to most other states. Although you can find white crappie, black crappie is generally more desirable to catch at least in Florida.

However, there are some tips that will help you catch more crappie when fishing the freshwater bodies of water in Florida.

Florida Crappie Fishing Tips

Limit

The bag limit for the state is 25 crappie per day. The possession limit is 50 or two days for all licensed anglers. Keep that in mind when going on a crappie fishing trip.

Late Fall to Early Spring

Although you can catch crappie the year-round, they are most likely to be caught starting in the late fall and going through the early spring. The water temperatures are cooler, but in the early spring, that is their breeding season when they become hungrier.

The Right Depth

For those fishing for the speckled perch, finding the right depth for your lures is the crucial part of catching the fish. You will need to find the level at which the crappie are feeding. You may spend most of your time locating the right depth using your electronic fish finders.

Sometimes they might be close to the surface while at other times near the bottom. But once you locate the proper depth, you should be able to pull one crappie after another into the boat.

Best Lakes in Florida

While all lakes in Florida offer excellent chances to catch crappie, there are some that stand out more than others. What follows are just a few of the many lakes that offer good chances to catch crappie.

Lake Kissimmee: Most noted for bass fishing, it has become a hot spot for crappie as well. Plus, at 35,000 acres there is plenty of room to fish.

Lake Monroe: Located near Sanford, this hidden gem is less than 10,000 acres, but offers a substantial number of crappie just waiting to be caught.

Lake Talquin: You can find this 8,800-acre lake just west of Tallahassee. It offers plenty of cover for crappie which makes it a great place to fish. Just remember that this lake has a 10” minimum size limit.

Lochloosa Lake: This lake can be found near Ocala and Gainesville and has been the subject of substantial lake management to ensure the development of crappie.

Orange Lake: This favorite is also located between Ocala and Gainesville offers plenty of opportunities to catch crappie.

The best fishing tips for crappie in Florida start by finding a good freshwater body of water and using the basics to catch the crappie. A little effort and good timing should result in a successful fishing adventure.

Related:

Leave a Comment