(Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
Common Names - speckled perch, specks, papermouth, bachelor perch, calico bass, strawberry bass, or white perch.
Description - The black crappie is a silvery-green to
yellowish fish with large dorsal and anal fins of almost identical
shape and size. The sides are marked with black blotches which become
more intense towards the back. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins also
are marked with rows of dark spots. Crappies have compressed bodies,
small heads and arched backs. It has a large mouth with an upper jaw
extending under the eye.
Subspecies - There are no recognized subspecies. They are
closely related to the white crappie that is found in Alabama and
Georgia. However, the white crappie is not found in Florida.
Range - Found statewide except in the Florida Keys.
Habitat - Black crappies thrive in clear, natural lakes
and reservoirs with moderate vegetation. They are also found in large
slow-moving less turbid rivers, provided the water is not too murky.
Crappies prefer water from 70 to 75 degrees but will tolerate water
over 80 degrees. It is gregarious and often travels in schools.
Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs from February to April
when water temperatures reach 62 to 65 degrees. They nest in
colonies. Circular nest are fanned by males over gravel or soft-muddy
bottoms and frequently around submerged vegetation in waters from
three to eight feet deep. After spawning, males guard the eggs and
fry. Females may produce between 11,000 and 188,000 eggs.
Feeding Habits - Primary food items are crustaceans,
aquatic insects and small fishes. Adults mainly eat small fish,
particularly open-water forage fish, like threadfin shad.
Age and Growth - Sexual maturity is reached in the second
or third year, with few fish surviving beyond their fifth year in
Florida waters. The oldest crappie aged in Florida, to date, has been
11 years old.
Sporting Quality - Black crappies are excellent game fish
and are highly regarded by bait fishermen and artificial-lure anglers
alike. They are easily caught during prespawning periods when the
fish are congregated in large schools. Trolling with small, live
minnows or a spinner-fly combination is very productive. They will
also strike subsurface flies, small spinners, jigs, and tiny
crankbaits. Crappies tend to suspend in midwater, so you may have to
experiment to find the right depth. As a sport fish, specific bag and
size limit regulations apply, and you can register a qualifying catch as part of the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Big Catch program.
Eating Quality - Considered to be excellent eating by many
anglers. The meat is prepared by rolling in cornmeal or dipping in
pancake batter and deep frying, and can also be baked or broiled.
World Record - 4 pounds, 8 ounces, caught in Kerr Lake, Virginia, in 1981.
State Record 3 pounds, 13.25 ounces, caught in Lake Talquin, in 1992.
Info Provided By Florida Fish and Wildlife
