Short answer: Fall is one of the two best times of year for crappie. Iowa DNR says crappies are most vulnerable during spring spawning and autumn, when they move back toward shallower water after a summer spent at 8 to 25 feet (Iowa DNR). Fish small minnows or 1/80 to 1/16 ounce jigs slowly over brush and other cover, on 2 to 4 pound line. Bluegill leave their summer spots around late September and slide deeper as winter nears, so follow them out from shore.
Everything here comes straight from the state wildlife agencies: the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Iowa DNR and Minnesota DNR, with regulation links for Kansas and Illinois. Rules change and differ by lake, so check the linked page before you head out.
Know your panfish
- White crappie: usually 9 to 10 inches, seldom over 15. MDC says it is more abundant and widespread in Missouri than the black crappie and one of the most important fish in the creel in large lakes (MDC).
- Black crappie: also usually 9 to 10 inches. It is less tolerant of muddy water and silt, and it is most common in large Ozark reservoirs, upper Mississippi River pools and Bootheel lakes (MDC).
- Bluegill: to about 9.5 inches. Found statewide in Missouri, from farm ponds to large reservoirs. They like warm, clear water with plants or other cover, feed in the shallows in the morning and evening, and move deeper or into shade at midday (MDC).
Both crappie species eat mostly small fish such as minnows and young shad, plus insects and small crustaceans. That's why minnows and minnow shaped jigs work so well.
Fall crappie: where to find them
Once the water cools, the summer pattern falls apart. Iowa DNR notes that crappies leave the deeper water they used in summer and move into shallower depths during autumn (Iowa DNR). Minnesota DNR adds that later in the year crappies tend to stay deep except at dawn and dusk, when they move toward shore to feed, and that you can find them along underwater points, humps, deep weedlines and other structure (Minnesota DNR).
Iowa DNR's October fishing reports describe the pattern after lakes turn over: look for fish on deeper habitat, and slowly troll small plastics or vertical jig plastics or minnows over brush piles, roadbeds and other habitat (Iowa DNR fishing report). Minnesota's crappie profile says to use your spring and summer methods in deeper water in fall as crappies move toward winter spots (Minnesota DNR).
Find the brush: MDC publishes GPS files of fish attractors it has placed in Missouri lakes (MDC fish attractor GPX files). For a lake specific plan, see our Lake of the Ozarks crappie guide.
Fall crappie: how to fish them
- Minnow under a float: Iowa DNR calls small minnows the best live bait. Use a 1 to 1.5 inch minnow hooked through the back just below the dorsal fin, a No. 4, 6 or 8 hook, and a light split shot about a foot above the hook (Iowa DNR).
- Jigs: the lead head jig is Iowa DNR's most productive artificial lure. Heads from 1/80 to 1/16 ounce are most popular. White, yellow and chartreuse are the most consistent colors, especially in stained water, and blue or black work well in clear water. Under a float, keep the jig at least a foot off the bottom.
- Slip floats for depth: Minnesota DNR says a slip bobber lets your bait drop to any preset depth while still casting easily. A 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32 ounce jig can also be counted down and slowly reeled back (Minnesota DNR).
- Slow trolling: MDC lists still fishing or slow trolling small minnows near submerged trees or other cover as one of the most effective methods for white crappie (MDC).
- Gentle hook sets: crappies have soft mouths. Iowa DNR warns that too much force tears the thin membrane near the jaw and loses fish.
Fall bluegill
Iowa DNR says large bluegill leave their summer hangouts around late September to prepare for fall and winter, and move into deeper water as autumn turns to winter (Iowa DNR). Minnesota DNR says fall sunfish can still be in late summer spots or in shallow areas near weedbeds, bulrush beds and other cover, and that midday fishing can be good in autumn as water cools (Minnesota DNR).
- Rig: 2 to 4 pound test line and size 6 or 8 long shank hooks, which are easier to remove from a bluegill's small mouth (Iowa DNR). Minnesota DNR suggests 4 pound test and No. 6 to No. 10 hooks.
- Bait: worms are Iowa DNR's all time favorite. Pinch off an inch or two. 1/32 and 1/64 ounce jigs with marabou, grubs or twister tails also work, and a bit of worm on the jig often adds bites.
- Float weight: add just enough split shot that the float rides low and is easy for a fish to pull down (Minnesota DNR).
- Handling: bluegill have sharp dorsal spines. Minnesota DNR says to slide your hand from the head toward the tail to fold them down.
Panfish gear checklist
Everything below was live and in stock on the site when we wrote this. Browse the full fishing aisle for more.
- Light rods and jig poles: BnM Graphite Crappie Combo Spinning 6ft, BnM West Point Crappie Combo 10ft, HT Crappie Pole Graphite 11 ft or BnM Slow Troller Crappie Pole 10ft for slow trolling.
- Jigs: Do-It Tapered Tube Jig Assortment, 1/32 and 1/16 oz, Eagle Claw Tube Jig Head 1/16 oz, or browse the lures aisle.
- Floats: Leland E Z Panfish Floats, Leland E Z Crappie Floats, Betts Mr Crappie Balsa Slip Thang 3/4 in with a Comal slip float bobber stop, or the bobbers and slip floats aisle.
- Hooks and rigs: Eagle Claw Crappie Hooks Size 1/0, Eagle Claw Crappie Rigs or HT Crappie Rigs Size 1.
- Keep minnows alive: Frabill 8 qt insulated minnow bucket with built in aerator or the Challenge 10 qt insulated minnow bucket.
Check the rules before you keep fish
Crappie and bluegill limits, and any length limits, differ by state and often by lake. We do not list numbers here because they change. Check MDC (Missouri), Iowa DNR, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Illinois DNR or Minnesota DNR. Minnesota DNR notes that inland crappie fishing there is open all year, with special rules on some waters (Minnesota DNR).
Make it a weekend
Fall nights get cold in a hurry, so pack for them with our fall camping guide. Heading for trout instead? See the Missouri trout parks guide. For lakes and reservoirs, try Missouri lake fishing gear, Kansas reservoir gear, Iowa state park camping and fishing a Missouri state park without a trailer. More trips are on the Midwest camping guides hub.
Panfish FAQ
When is the best time to catch crappie in the fall?
Iowa DNR says crappies in lakes are most vulnerable during spring spawning and autumn, and that they move back into shallower water in autumn after spending summer at 8 to 25 feet. Minnesota DNR adds that later in the year crappies hold deeper except at dawn and dusk, when they move toward shore to feed.
Where do crappie go in October?
Look for them on structure. Minnesota DNR points to underwater points, humps, deep weedlines and brush. Iowa DNR's fall reports suggest slowly trolling small plastics, or vertical jigging plastics or minnows, over brush piles, roadbeds and other habitat once lakes turn over.
What is the best bait for crappie?
Iowa DNR calls small minnows the best live bait, ideally 1 to 1.5 inches long on a No. 4, 6 or 8 hook, and calls the lead head jig the most productive artificial lure. White, yellow and chartreuse are its most consistent colors in stained water; blue or black works in clear water.
Where do bluegill go in the fall?
Iowa DNR says large bluegill leave their summer spots around late September, then move into deeper water as autumn turns to winter. Minnesota DNR says fall sunfish can be in late summer spots or in shallow areas near weedbeds and bulrush, and midday fishing can be good as water cools.
What line and hooks should I use for panfish?
Iowa DNR recommends 2 to 4 pound test line, not over 6 pound for crappie, and size 6 or 8 long shank hooks for bluegill. Minnesota DNR suggests 4 pound test and No. 6 to No. 10 hooks for sunfish.
What are the crappie and bluegill limits?
Limits differ by state and by lake, and some waters have length limits. Check the current rules from MDC, Iowa DNR, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Illinois DNR or Minnesota DNR before you keep fish.
