Black crappie in California
Limits, records and where CDFW flags black crappie.
- 25 a daydaily bag
- 4 lbs., 5 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of California: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
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black crappie in California
Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) is one of the panfish species CDFW covers on fresh water. Under the Statewide rule, the bag is 25 a day with a size of none.
The record book shows 4 lbs., 5 oz. from Clear Lake (2021). The Fishing Guide map marks 114 lakes and 6 streams for it.
California limits on black crappie
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Hodges and El Capitan lakes (San Diego Co.) | 25 a day | 10 in minimum | All year |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
black crappie in the record book
| Category | Method | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater angling | Lure | 4 lbs., 5 oz. | Clear Lake | 2021 |
CDFW Angling and Diving Records. Angler names left out.
Lakes and streams for black crappie
Lake pages for black crappie
- Clear Lake, Lake County43,000 acres
- Shasta Lake29,500 acres
- Havasu Lake19,300 acres
- Lake Oroville15,378 acres
- Lake Berryessa13,000 acres
- Don Pedro Reservoir12,960 acres
- New Melones Lake12,122 acres
- Folsom Lake11,450 acres
- Lake Isabella7,731 acres
- Camanche Reservoir7,700 acres
- McClure Reservoir7,127 acres
- San Antonio Reservoir, Monterey County5,720 acres
- Nacimiento Reservoir5,370 acres
- Diamond Valley Lake4,822 acres
- Bullards Bar Reservoir4,800 acres
- Black Butte Lake4,500 acres
- Millerton Lake4,398 acres
- Lake Crowley4,145 acres
- Indian Valley Reservoir4,000 acres
- Lake Elsinore3,278 acres
- Turlock Reservoir3,267 acres
- Lake Cachuma3,167 acres
- Lake Sonoma2,500 acres
- Lake Casitas2,463 acres
Stream pages for black crappie
- San Joaquin RiverMadera
- Colorado RiverSan Bernardino
- Kings RiverFresno
- Santa Ana RiverSan Bernardino
- Stanislaus River, Stanislaus CountyStanislaus
- Deep CreekSan Bernardino
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; largest waters first.
Species near black crappie
- Sacramento perchpanfish
- White crappiepanfish
- Bluegillpanfish
- Redear sunfishpanfish
California black crappie, answered
How many black crappie can I keep in California?
25 a day (Statewide), size none.
What does the California record black crappie weigh?
4 lbs., 5 oz. from Clear Lake (2021).
Where can I catch black crappie in California?
CDFW flags 120 waters, including Clear Lake, Lake County, Shasta Lake and Havasu Lake.
Do hatcheries raise black crappie?
No.
What does black crappie look like?
Scientific name Pomoxis nigromaculatus.
What months can I keep black crappie?
All year, except closures under district or special regulations
Do I need a report card for black crappie?
The $64.54 resident license covers it; sturgeon, steelhead and lobster need cards.
Do party boats target black crappie?
No listing names it.
Find black crappie near you
Open a water above for launches and limits.