Is speckled perch fishing really the same as crappie fishing? Let me know what is different (if anything) for catching speckled perch.

The term speckled perch has been often given to the Crappie, especially in the Southern United States. It is not the true scientific classification of this fish. The two species of this fish are correctly known as the White Crappie and the Black Crappie. In the Northern United States they are known by these names. This being the case, yes there is nothing different when fishing for speckled perch. There is however a difference in fishing for Crappie in the Southern United States when compared to the Northern United States. Crappie in the South are surprisingly less active than those in the North and hold much tighter to structure. In states like Minnesota you can often catch Crappie with a fast moving pink jig towards the surface of the water. If you try the technique on Crappie in most Southern lakes you will not enjoy the same positive results. This difference is more due to the body of water than any difference in the fish themselves. This species reacts one way in the colder slower moving waters of the North than it does the hotter faster moving Southern waters. Crappie fishing is all about finding forms of cover. Crappie are attracted to wood of any form. Standing or fallen timber or even man made structures all can hold large amounts of Crappie. As the season goes on they will gradually move to deep water after spawning in four to six foot deep water in spring. Once you locate them you should be able to catch them in large quantities.