Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

White Crappie and Black Crappie both have the same colors, ranging from dark olive to black on top, with silvery/white sides and dark blotches.

The pattern of the dark blotches is often different between the two. White Crappie can have 5 to10 vertical bars along their body and Black Crappie have scattered, random spots.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	50 panfish total (no more than 25 White Crappie)
Delaware Range	Becks, Lums and Noxontown Ponds
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Uncommon
General Habitat and Food Preferences	White Crappie can be found around aquatic vegetation and submerged woody material such as tree tops and brush piles. In late winter/early spring, White Crappie congregate in large schools, often in deeper water. They feed on insects, small crayfish, and small fishes.
Did You Know?	White Crappie are an introduced species to Delaware (meaning they are non-native). White Crappie are much less common than the Black Crappie. White Crappies are more tolerant of turbid water than Black Crappies. Crappies are known as "paper mouths" because of their large thin lips.
Common Lures and Baits	White Crappie can be caught with artificial flies, small spinners, and jigs. Small minnow's fished suspended under bobbers are a favored technique.
Typical Sizes Caught	White Crappie are commonly caught at lengths of less than 12 inches (less than 1 pound) by Delaware anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 12 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 10 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 1 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 0.75 pounds (12 ounces) minimum White Crappie are eligible for the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament and Live Release "Crappie" awards, but not currently eligible for an individual species award.
Delaware State Record	4 pounds 9 ounces Marvin Billips 1976 "Crappie" is a general category and can be any crappie species. White Crappie are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government