Crappie
Black · White
25 per day total for black and white crappie (including hybrids and subspecies), minimum 10 inches.
Official lake regulations ↗
Habitat on Sam Rayburn
TPWD documents shallow vegetation during the spawn and deeper brush and creek channels at other times.
Fishing approach
TPWD recommends jigs and minnows. Fish shallow cover in spring and deeper brush and channels at other times.
Lake fishing guide ↗Not listed in DSHS Advisory 51. That does not establish that the fish is safe to eat.
Official consumption guidance ↗Species within this group
Black Crappie
Harvest: 25 black and white crappie combined; 10-inch minimum.
Eating guidance: Not listed in DSHS Advisory 51. That does not establish that the fish is safe to eat.
Typically shows irregular dark speckling; confirm using TPWD fish identification.
White Crappie
Harvest: 25 black and white crappie combined; 10-inch minimum.
Eating guidance: Not listed in DSHS Advisory 51. That does not establish that the fish is safe to eat.
Often has more organized vertical bars; confirm using TPWD fish identification.
Individual lake profiles
Choose the species for its own identification, harvest rules and eating guidance on this lake.
Source & occurrence note
TPWD Sam Rayburn lake guide and historical water-body records. Records establish occurrence, not current abundance.