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Black Crappie
Duane Raver/USFWS

Oklahoma Distribution – Now found statewide in many lakes and rivers, crappie were originally stream fish in Oklahoma. Both black crappie and white crappie do well in lakes of at least 500 acres. While black crappie require clear lakes, white crappie are adapted to slightly turbid lakes. Neither species is suited for farm ponds because they tend to over populate these small bodies of water.

Habitat – Crappie are usually associated with standing timber and brushy cover in lakes. In the spring they inhabit the shallow ends of coves, later moving to water 15 or more feet deep.

Natural Food Sources – Minnows, shad, crayfish, mollusks and insects.

Spawning – Spawning habits of white crappie are similar to other sunfishes except they usually nest in deeper water. Black crappie construct their nests and deposit their eggs at even greater depths than white crappie. Females of both species deposit from 3,000 to 15,000 eggs. Spawning occurs shortly after water temperatures reach 55 to 65 degrees F. After spawning, males guard the eggs and fry.

Facts – Crappie are a favorite winter fish in Oklahoma. They form loose schools and often when you find a school, others can be located close by. Crappie can be caught year-round and its sweet meat makes exquisite table fare. The average crappie caught in Oklahoma weighs between a half and one and a half pounds.