Black Crappie Management Plan

Black Crappie Regulations Review Public Virtual Meetings

FWC is currently reviewing crappie regulations.  We have conducted 12 virtual meetings and surveys are currently underway to gather stakeholder input.  A team is also currently reviewing biological data related to crappie regulations.

Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) is a highly valued game fish throughout much of North America, including Florida, where the species is commonly known as “speckled perch” or “specks”. Florida’s black crappie fisheries are seasonal, largely occurring during winter and spring, making Florida a popular winter destination for travelling anglers. Florida’s crappie fisheries are important to resident and non-resident anglers alike, making black crappie the most targeted fish during winter at some lakes and in some cases the most targeted fish for the entire year.

To best direct management and research for this popular species, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staff have drafted a comprehensive Black Crappie Management Plan, which utilizes a thorough review of existing scientific literature and extensive communications with crappie anglers.