Black Crappie

Common Name:

Black Crappie

Other Names:

Calico Bass, Crappies

Scientific Name:

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Origin:

Introduced

Adult Size:

Sexual maturity is reached between 2 and 4 years of age, at which time crappies may be 6 to 10 inches long. Typical crappie fisheries produce fish between 6 and 11 inches long, although crappies exceeding 14 inches and 3 pounds have been caught in Maine.

Identification:

Closely resembling bass and sunfish species, which have 10-12 dorsal fin spines, crappies possess 6-8 dorsal fin spines. Body form is very deep and narrow (laterally compressed). Coloration is silvery-olive to golden brown, with an irregular mosaic of dark black blotches.

Find more information on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.