Texas freshwater anglers know they have entered prime time for catching both white and black crappie in Texas.  These “papermouths” are just finishing up spawning in shallow water on inland lakes or have already spawned and started congregating around in deeper water around submerged trees or bushpiles.

Renowned artist Mark Susinno has painted a scene of the larger white crappie around flooded brushy structure as this months cover art.  In Texas the state record white crappie weighs 4.56 pounds and was caught on February 14, 1968 from Navarro Mills Reservoir by G. G. Wooderson.

Texas state record black crappie weighs 3.92 pounds and was caught from Lake Fork on April 27, 2003 by George Ward while fishing a minnow.  Both live minnows and small jigs are very effective on both crappie species.

“Brush Bite-White Crappie” by Mark Susinno is provided courtesy of the artist, Wild Wings and Art Brand Studios.  For more information visit www.wildwings.com or call (800) 445-4833. All rights reserved. — Bill L. Olson