Black Crappie
Black Crappie: The Panfish That’s Easy to Catch and Delicious to Eat
Black crappie are a freshwater fish that are native to North America. They are a popular game fish and are often caught in lakes, ponds, and rivers. Black crappie are known for their delicious white flesh and their aggressive feeding habits.
While your here check out the comparison between The Black Crappie and White Crappie at the link below.
Clash of the Crappies: Black Crappie vs White Crappie
| Black Crappie | Pomoxis nigromaculatus |
|---|---|
| Body shape | Deep and laterally compressed |
| Scales | Cycloid scales |
| Fins | Two dorsal fins, one anal fin, and one pelvic fin |
| Mouth position | Subterminal mouth |
| Habitat | Quiet, warm temperate waters; usually associated with abundant aquatic vegetation and sandy to muddy bottoms |
| Feed behavior | Feeds primarily on small fish, insects, and crustaceans |
| Diet | Piscivorous |
| Reproduction | Spawns in the spring, generally when water temperatures reach 60°F |
| Size | Common length for black crappie is 10.8 inches and the maximum reported length for a black crappie is 19.3 inches. Average weight is about 1.5 pounds and up to 5 pounds. |
| Life span | Up to 15 years |
| Conservation status | Least concern |
| States found in | (48) AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY |
| Record Weight | 5Ibs 7oz | Richeison Pond, Tenn. |5/15/18 | Lionel Ferguson |
| Record Length | 14.56in | Gull Lake, MI. | 5/8/18 | Clark Lozier |
Black crappie have a deep, laterally compressed body that is slightly larger than white crappie. They have a large head with a small mouth and a forked tail. The body of a black crappie is typically greenish-brown with dark blotches and black spots. The sides are silvery, and the belly is white. Black crappie can grow to be up to 18 inches long and weigh up to 5 pounds. They prefer quiet, shallow waters with abundant aquatic vegetation. They are often found in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms. Black crappie are found in 48 states, as well as parts of Canada.
Black crappie can weigh anywhere from 0.5 to 5 pounds, with an average weight of 1.5 pounds. The heaviest black crappie ever caught weighed 5.1 pounds. Black crappie typically grow to be between 10 and 12 inches long, but some can reach lengths of up to 18 inches. The size and weight of a black crappie can vary depending on the age of the fish, the water temperature, and the food availability.
Here are some additional facts about the black crappie:
- Black crappie are a member of the sunfish family, Centrarchidae.
- They are native to North America and can be found in most of the eastern and central United States, as well as parts of Canada.
- Black crappie prefer shallow, clear water with abundant aquatic vegetation.
- They are omnivores and feed on a variety of small fish, insects, and crustaceans.
- Black crappie are a popular game fish and are often caught using live bait, such as minnows and worms.
- They can also be caught using artificial baits, such as jigs and crankbaits.
- Black crappie are a good-tasting fish and their flesh is firm and white.
- They can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as pan-frying, grilling, or baking.
- Black crappie are not considered to be a threatened or endangered species.
- However, they are susceptible to overfishing and habitat loss.
- It is important to practice catch-and-release fishing when targeting black crappie.
- You should also avoid fishing in areas where there is a lot of pollution.
Find more Fish Profiles on the Fish Index or check out the White Crappie while you are here! Or looking to compare the Black and White Crappie?
