Crappie Information

Crappies are the most popular North American panfish. The black (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and the white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) are members of the sunfish family.

Other names – speckled perch, speckled bass, strawberry bass, Oswego bass, sacalait, croppie, papermouth and many others.

How they look like?

Both species are similar in color – dark on the back, silvery sides with dark spots. The dark spots on the black crappie appear short and irregular than the white crappie with vertical bars and paler overall. Both species have a deep and compressed body. The most accurate way of telling the black from the white is by counting the spines – the black – 6 spines on the anal fin and 7 – 8 on the dorsal – the white has only 6 spines on each of these fins.

Where they live?

They are widely distributed in ponds, lakes, streams and rivers. The black species prefer deeper, cooler and clearer water with rich vegetation while the white species prefer much shallow, warmer and turbid water with less vegetation. Although both species hang around in schools the whites are usually found in larger concentrations.

When and where they spawn?

They spawn in spring and summer in water temperatures between 60 – 68 degrees F. Spawning take place in weedy, muddy and sandy areas.

What and when they like to eat?

The young eat zooplankton and insect larvae. The adults also eat insects, fish such as threadfin shad, and crustaceans. They tend to feed early in the morning and dusk. And they are very active feeding during the winter which made them the favorite target for ice-fishers.

Size and Age

Both species can attain weight up to 5 lbs. but usually the average is less than 2 lbs. Those commonly caught on rod and line is less than a pound. They can live to about 10 years of age.

IGFA World Record

The black crappie all-tackle world record is 5 lbs. 1 oz and for the white crappie is 5 lbs. 3 oz.

Crappie are abundant so there is no harm to keep some of these fish for the table. They have firm white meat that is well-suited for many ways of cooking. Both species are considered excellent food fish and gamefish.

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