Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus
> There were likely introduced to the Willamette River basin in the 1980s for sportfishing purposes, but their introduction impacts are not known.
> They are more abundant than White Crappie in the Willamette River.
> They frequently hybridize with White Crappie.
Identification Tips
> They are easily confused with the white crappie, but can be distinguished by their black splotches, silvery green color, and number of spines on their dorsal fins (7-8 spines).
> The anal fin has 6 spines and is as long as the dorsal fin.
Natural History
> Black Crappie form schools and take cover near logs or other submerged structure during the day and then move to open waters at night in six to 15 feet of water depth.
> They spawn in the spring or when the water ranges from 14.4°C to 17.8°C.
> Males clear nest sites in gravel, sand, or mud substrates near submerged vegetation preferably with overhanging tree cover.
Range
> Black Crappie are native to freshwaters of eastern and central North America and introduced throughout the United States.
> They have been introduced in the Pacific Northwest, primarily in lakes near Spokane Washington, California, and in the Columbia and Willamette rivers in Oregon.
> In the Willamette River, Black Crappie are common in the mainstem, off channel habitats, floodplain ponds, and tributaries.
Size
> Black Crappie commonly are up to 10 in (25 cm) in length but have been recorded up to 19.3 in (49 cm) in length.
> They can reach up to 4 lbs (1.8 kg) in their native range, but are commonly found to be up to 2 lb (0.9 kg) in the Pacific Northwest.
Habitat
> Black Crappie live in calmer water such as lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and occasionally slow-moving streams and rivers in areas with cover or aquatic vegetation. Specifically, in rivers, they are found in warmer, slower moving off-channel habitats.
Diet
> As juveniles, Black Crappie typically eat zooplankton and aquatic insect larvae. As adults, they consume mostly aquatic insects and small fish, including small salmon fry.
Similar Species
> White Crappie, which has a shorter dorsal fin with only 5 to 6 spines, than Black Crappie with the 7 to 8 spines.
> Also, in Black Crappie the length of the dorsal fin is equal to or greater than the distance between that fin and the eye; whereas in White Crappie its length is less than the distance between the dorsal fin and eye.
References
For more information, see references.