Fish ID
Crappie
Schooling panfish that holds around brush and docks. Excellent table fare.
Key ID marks
- Black speckles over silver
- Tall rounded dorsal and anal fins
- Big upturned mouth
Mouth ID
Thin, papery mouth — set the hook gently.
Typical size
8–14 in
Best season
Best in spring
Where
Clear Lake, New Hogan, Delta sloughs, foothill lakes
Look-alikes
Bluegill (dark ear flap, small mouth).
Find it here
Shasta LakeClear LakeNew Melones LakeLake TullochDon Pedro ReservoirLake McClureLake McSwainModesto ReservoirWoodward ReservoirTurlock LakeCamanche ReservoirPardee ReservoirNew Hogan LakeLake AmadorFolsom LakeLake NatomaRollins LakeCollins LakeEnglebright LakeLake OrovilleLake BerryessaAnderson LakeCoyote LakeSan Luis ReservoirMillerton LakeBass Lake