Description
Non-native. Introduced in 1905. Head and back heavily and irregularly spotted
with black blotches on a silver-olive background; Tail, dorsal and
anal fins are spotted. Seven or eight spines on dorsal fin. Body is
compressed or flat. Length: 6 to 12 inches. Weight: 3 oz. to over 4
pounds.
Location and
Habitat
Black crappie are far more abundant than white crappie and are found in
most of Arizona's major warmwater reservoirs. Black crappie (and White
crappie) are attracted to submerged brush and trees and generally travel
in schools. Spawning is often in open water, typically over mud, sand or
gravel bottoms. Males guard the nest, and young after the eggs hatch. Generally
mature in second or third year of life, rarely live more than 6 to 7 years.
Food
Insect and plankton eaters until they reach four or five inches switching
to a fish diet. In Arizona, threadfin shad are their main diet.
Angling
Effective bait and lures are minnows, small jigs, silver spoons, spinners
and flies fished along shorelines around submerged brush piles and fallen
trees.
Table
Quality
The meat is white, fine textured and tasty.
