White Crappie Information

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White Crappie Information
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Thank you for visiting White Crappie Information. We try to provide you with the most complete information we can about fish and fishing. We update our sources constantly. Please scroll down to learn more.

Description
Pomoxis is Greek for "opercle sharp" and refers to the fact that the fish's gill covers have spines. The word annularis is Latin for "having rings" and refers to the dark bands (vertical bars) around the body. The white crappie is deep-bodied and silvery in color, ranging from silvery-white on the belly to a silvery-green or even dark green on the back. There are several vertical bars on the sides. The dorsal fin has a maximum of six spines. Males may develop dark coloration in the throat region during the spring spawning season.

Feeding Habits
Taken together, "crappie" (white and black combined) are among the most popular game fish in the U.S.. The crappie group is the third most preferred group overall, ranking behind only "Trout, Bass" Pike and catfish.. Crappie are sought after by both bank and boat anglers. Typically, minnows are the preferred bait, but Crappies will bite at anything, including worms. They usually congregate in deep water but if hungry, they will be around half submerged trees, boat docks, or other structures waiting for caterpillars and other insects to fall into the water.

Biology
Like other members of the sunfish family, white crappie are nest builders. They are similar to bluegills in that they tend to nest in relatively large "beds," and they have very high reproductive potential which often leads to overpopulation and stunting in small lakes.. White crappie nest in the spring, generally when water temperatures reach 65°F to 70°F. However, spawning activity has been observed at temperatures as low as 56°F. Fry hatch in three to five days, but remain attached to nest substrate by an adhesive substance from the egg for a few more days. Just before leaving the nest, fry free themselves by vigorous swimming actions.

Once they are free, the tiny Crappies begin feeding on microscopic animals. Early on they feed as indivuals. Later, the fingerlings will gather in large schools, often in the middle of lakes. Typically, white crappie grow three to five inches in length the first year, and reach seven to eight inches during the second year. Maturity is usually reached in two to three years. Adults feed on small fish and insects.

Distribution

Distribution:
Both the Ehite and black crappie occur throughout the United States from Maine to California and are particularly prevalent in the MidWest and South through Texas

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