Crappie
Crappie
sport almost as many nicknames as they do stripes and spots.
Common monikers include slabs, papermouths, thin mouths,
speckled bass, specks and bachelors. Whatever they’re called as
they’re collected on a stringer, the most important thing to
anglers is that these fish are called “delicious” at the dinner
table. In fact, primarily because of its popularity in the
frying pan, this species is the second-most sought-after sport
fish in Oklahoma.
Crappie are members of the sunfish family. Oklahoma is home to
two species, the white (Pomoxis annularis) and black (Pomoxis
nigromatulatis) crappie. White crappie tolerate muddy and
flowing water better than their cousins, although neither
species is common in swift currents. Both species thrive in
lakes and waterways throughout Oklahoma, with whites being the
most prevalent.
These two species easily distinguishable. The black crappie is
deeper-bodies with darker coloring and markings. They have seven
or eight dorsal spines. White crappie are more streamlines and
are lighter in color, often displaying vertical stripes or
bands, and have only six dorsal spines. Because of their
stockier bodies, black crappie generally weigh more than white
crappie of the same length. In other words, a 10-inch black
crappie often will weigh more than a 10-inch white crappie
Spawning occurs when water temperatures reach 55 to 65 degrees.
Both black and white crappie take on darker coloration during
the breeding season, when the fish move into the shallows.
Spawning generally takes place in water only 18 to 36 inches
deep, with black crappie usually found a bit deeper than white
crappie. Females may deposit between 25,000 and 75,000 eggs each
before returning to the depths, leaving the males at the
spawning site to guard the eggs. Once the eggs hatch, males
linger for a few additional days to continue guarding the fry.
Soon thereafter, though, the young crappie are on their own.
Adult crappie eat small fish such as minnows and shad. Crayfish
may also be taken, along with mollusks and insects. Mayflies are
an important seasonal food.
Crappie are native only to North America, but the white and
black species have proven their adaptability through the years.
At the time of the American Revolution they were popular with
Southern fisherman, but found only in an area extending south
from southern Manitoba through the eastern and central United
States to Florida and Texas. There were no crappie west of the
Rockies. However, modern fisheries management introduced crappie
into every state except Alaska, and today both species are found
coast to coast from southern Canada to northern Mexico.
Their adaptability and amazing capacity reproduction can allow
crappie to easily overpopulate small lakes and ponds, which
results in poor, stunted populations of fish. However, in bigger
reservoirs, they grow to a fairly large size. The average
crappie caught in Oklahoma ranges between a half- pound to 1 ½
pounds.
Crappie are schooling fish and often congregate near submerged
structure. These fish inhabit shallow water during spawn, but
later in the year they often reside in water 15 feet deep or
deeper. Standing timber and brush are good places for anglers to
look for crappie. Minnows and jigs are top bait choices.
While crappie will always remain popular with anglers, all
outdoors enthusiasts who appreciate well-rounded wildlife
ecosystems can be thankful for them, too. After all, no matter
what they’re called, the black and white crappie are important
members of Oklahoma’s native aquatic community.