Crappies are part of the sunshine family and they are known by several different names such as the speckled perch, goggleye and paper mouth. South Carolina is very popular for its crappie fishing and it continues to grow as word spreads about the wonderful opportunities this state has to offer. In fact, just about all the lakes, rivers and ponds in this state have crappie in them, which is why so many anglers are drawn to South Carolina to fish for this species.

Crappies are divided into two categories which are called Black Crappie and White Crappie. The black crappie is, of course, darker in color than the white crappie but this is not the only difference. It has seven or eight dorsal spines and several spots on its sides. When fishing in deep water and large impoundments you will most likely find the black crappie because this is the type of environment they prefer.

White crappies are lighter in color and have only six dorsal spines. They also have eight or nine vertical bands on both of its sides instead of spots and the white crappie prefer living in more quite remote places than the black crappie.

The average weight for a crappie is one pound but it is possible to catch crappie weighing up to five pounds.

Lakes in South Carolina

South Carolina has many lakes where you can go crappie fishing with great success. If you are not familiar with this state and all it has to offer, then the list of lakes listed below will help to give you an idea of some of the options that are available to you.

Lake Marion

Lake Murray

Hartwell Lake

Lake Wylie

Lake Moultrie

Lake Greenwood

Lake Jocassee

Wateree Lake

Lake Moultrie

Lake Keowee

These are just a few of the options that you have when you go crappie fishing in

South Carolina. You will find that there are many more areas where the crappie fishing is excellent. Talk to local bait shop owners and local fishermen to see where they would recommend you go.

If you are visiting friends or family in South Carolina they may be able to direct you to some remote ponds, creeks or lakes that have the potential for some great crappie fishing. These are places that you would probably never find on your own.

How to Catch Crappie

There are several ways to catch crappie as they are a fairly easy species to reel in. The most commonly used methods for crappie fishing are drifting, casting, trolling and still-fishing. Either of these techniques should render you some excellent results. Springtime fishing is the best time to go South Carolina crappie fishing because it is when the crappie are getting ready for spawning season. They will be migrating into the shallow, warm water to begin spawning.

In the summer the crappie will move out to deeper water during the middle of the day where the water is cooler and then back to the shallows during the night time hours. In the fall you need to fish in the shallow to moderately deep water during the late evening to early morning hours. However, they do still go out to the deeper water during the day when the sun is at its brightest.