Are you thinking of crappie fishing in Washington but you want to know exactly how to do so successfully and like the pros? When we think of crappie, all fishermen don't think of Washington first but if you live in this great state, you may already know that there are actually many great bodies of water for fishing for freshwater crappie of all sizes.

About Washington Crappie

Crappie are actually found in all of the continental states. They are a member of the sunfish family and they enjoy freshwaters such as ponds and lakes all over the country. Depending on where in the world you are from, crappie are known by many different names such as goggleye, bridge perch, paper mouth and speckled perch.

The state record for black crappie in Washington was caught from Lake Washington and the state record for white crappie was caught in the Columbia River at

Burbank Slough.

Types of Crappie

There are many different types of crappie and most all species can be found in Washington. The two main classifications of crappie are the white and the black. Black crappie, as the name suggests is usually darker and they have seven or eight dorsal spines and spotted sides. They are much more common in the northern states like Washington and are usually found in deeper waters such as river impoundments.

White crappie are more commonly found in southern states but some species are fished in Washington as well. They are lighter in color than the black crappie and they have only six dorsal spines. They may have eight or nine vertical bands on their sides. They enjoy the calmer, quieter backwaters. Both types can grow over five pounds but the average is more like one to three pounds.

Great Washington Crappie Waters

So now that you know about the great crappie that can be found in Washington, are you wondering about the best bodies of water to find them in? The great thing about crappie is that they can be found in most any freshwater location. However, there are some lakes and ponds that are especially known for having a lot of crappie or record-sized crappie in them.

Some Washington places known for great crappie fishing are:

Alder Lake

Banks Lake

Franklin D Roosevelt Lake

Lake Umatilla (John Day)

Lake Wallula (McNary)

Palmer Lake

Potholes Reservoir

Riffe Lake

Spirit Lake

Vancouver Lake.

Washington will affect the type of techniques you use. Spring is commonly the best time to fish for crappie, even in Washington. They most often spawn at this time and they spend more time in shallower waters. When you find a crappie hot spot this is the ideal time to stay at it and fish as long as you can.

In summer, it is best to fish for Washington crappie in the morning or evening hours. You may need to fish deeper in the waters, sometimes as far as 35-40 feet to find crappie. Try fishing with live bait, crappie jigs and spoons.