Guide To Crappie Fishing In Nevada

All about fishing for white and black crappie.

Nevada offers exciting opportunities for crappie fishing, with both black crappie and white crappie species available in various waters across the state.

Black crappie are commonly found in Nevada's lakes and reservoirs, where they thrive in clear, cool waters with submerged structures such as submerged trees, brush piles, and underwater vegetation. Popular fishing spots for black crappie include Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and Lake Tahoe. They are known for their delicious, flaky white meat and are highly sought after by anglers.

White crappie, although less abundant in Nevada compared to black crappie, can still be found in certain lakes and reservoirs. They prefer slower-moving waters with abundant vegetation. Lakes such as Rye Patch Reservoir and Wild Horse Reservoir may hold populations of white crappie. Similar to black crappie, white crappie are prized for their tasty fillets and provide an enjoyable fishing experience.

The best time to target crappie in Nevada is during the spring and fall when water temperatures are favorable for their feeding habits. Crappie are known to be more active during low light conditions, so early mornings and late evenings can be productive times to fish. Anglers often use light tackle and various artificial baits, such as small jigs or live minnows, to entice these finicky fish. As with any fishing, it is essential to abide by local fishing regulations and practice catch-and-release when appropriate to maintain healthy crappie populations for future generations of anglers.

Crappie Waters In NV

Lake Lahontan, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Rye Patch Reservoir and Weber Reservoir are the primary places to find crappie in NV. Other lakes with crappie include Chimney Dam Reservoir, Dufurrena Ponds, Echo Canyon Reservoir, Humboldt River and Willow Creek Reservoir

Click the images and links above for species details.

Top 5 Crappie Fishing Lures For Nevada

Crappie jigs work well in water from 2' to 40' deep, and are the most popular artificial lure for crappie ever. When crappie are shallow, spinners, small crankbaits and underspins are the often very productive. As they move deeper, spoons are among the top producers if the crappie are active. Review details for the best crappie rig options. Understanding the seasonal movements of crappie can enhance your chances of using these lures in the ideal locations.

Nevada State Record Crappie

The state record black crappie was caught from Weber Reservoir.

The state record white crappie came out of Rye Patch Reservoir.

Small jigs, live minnows, small spinners and other small lures will catch crappie. Use light line (six pound or less) and work the baits slowly - especially in cold water.

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in many Nevada lakes. Crappie are known by many different local names. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch, slabs and speckled perch, are just a few.

Crappie Fishing Basics Video

Check out crappie information, by state.