BLACK CRAPPIE, Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Other Common Names: speck, speckles, slab (large fish), google eye.
There are two species of crappies, the Black Crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus and the White
Crappie, Pomoxis annularis. They are found in almost all waters with the exception of mountain
streams. They are more abundant in large impoundments, natural lakes and backwaters. White
crappies are more tolerant of turbid conditions with the black crappie preferring clearer lakes.
Crappie are found in almost all warm waters of the state, but are more abundant in large
impoundments, natural lakes and backwaters. White crappies are more common in large reservoirs
and tend to be more tolerant of turbid conditions. Black Crappie tend to dominate in clear water
habitats that have large amounts of submerged vegetation.
Range: Statewide
Common Size: 8-14 inches, .8 to 1.25 pounds
Food Habitats: Young Crappie feed on invertebrates such as water fleas and insects. At about 7
inches, fish become more prevalent in the diet. In large impoundments, adult crappie feed on
threadfin shad and small gizzard shad throughout the year, however, they will feed extensively on
mayflys during the summer months.
Spawning: As water temperatures approach 60°F, the male crappie will prepare a nest by fanning
out a shallow depression on top of sand, gravel, or mud in from two to eight feet of water. Nests
range from 8" to 15" in diameter and are usually found in colonies, with as many as 30 nests found in
a 9-square yard area. Females deposit from 3,000 to 15,000 eggs per spawn, but may spawn with
several different males. Large females have the potential to lay up to 150,000 eggs. The fertilized
eggs are guarded by the male until hatching after 2 to 3 days and guarding continues for an
additional 3 to 4 days until fry leave the nest.
Miscellaneous: The black crappie is very similar to the white crappie, differing only in some body
characteristics, color patterns and slight habitat preference. In most impoundments, one species or
the other will predominate. It is relatively easy to locate and catch and it has a very good flavor.
Crappies are often found in large numbers around piers and brush. These loose aggregations are
not really schools of fish but they can appear to come and go as they are fished out of a small area.
The SCDNR constructs and marks brush piles designed to attract crappie as a service to sport
fishermen. These fish attractors do a good job at attracting crappie but fishing pressure can reduce
the number of fish at the site for short periods of time.
Crappie are relatively short lived and their populations can fluctuate widely from year to year.
Crappie populations tend to decline as a reservoir ages. However, habitat management has the
potential to significantly improve crappie populations
Other Common Names: speck, speckles, slab (large fish), google eye.
There are two species of crappies, the Black Crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus and the White
Crappie, Pomoxis annularis. They are found in almost all waters with the exception of mountain
streams. They are more abundant in large impoundments, natural lakes and backwaters. White
crappies are more tolerant of turbid conditions with the black crappie preferring clearer lakes.
Crappie are found in almost all warm waters of the state, but are more abundant in large
impoundments, natural lakes and backwaters. White crappies are more common in large reservoirs
and tend to be more tolerant of turbid conditions. Black Crappie tend to dominate in clear water
habitats that have large amounts of submerged vegetation.
Range: Statewide
Common Size: 8-14 inches, .8 to 1.25 pounds
Food Habitats: Young Crappie feed on invertebrates such as water fleas and insects. At about 7
inches, fish become more prevalent in the diet. In large impoundments, adult crappie feed on
threadfin shad and small gizzard shad throughout the year, however, they will feed extensively on
mayflys during the summer months.
Spawning: As water temperatures approach 60°F, the male crappie will prepare a nest by fanning
out a shallow depression on top of sand, gravel, or mud in from two to eight feet of water. Nests
range from 8" to 15" in diameter and are usually found in colonies, with as many as 30 nests found in
a 9-square yard area. Females deposit from 3,000 to 15,000 eggs per spawn, but may spawn with
several different males. Large females have the potential to lay up to 150,000 eggs. The fertilized
eggs are guarded by the male until hatching after 2 to 3 days and guarding continues for an
additional 3 to 4 days until fry leave the nest.
Miscellaneous: The black crappie is very similar to the white crappie, differing only in some body
characteristics, color patterns and slight habitat preference. In most impoundments, one species or
the other will predominate. It is relatively easy to locate and catch and it has a very good flavor.
Crappies are often found in large numbers around piers and brush. These loose aggregations are
not really schools of fish but they can appear to come and go as they are fished out of a small area.
The SCDNR constructs and marks brush piles designed to attract crappie as a service to sport
fishermen. These fish attractors do a good job at attracting crappie but fishing pressure can reduce
the number of fish at the site for short periods of time.
Crappie are relatively short lived and their populations can fluctuate widely from year to year.
Crappie populations tend to decline as a reservoir ages. However, habitat management has the
potential to significantly improve crappie populations
