Fish Id: A Guide To East Coast Fishes

Black Crappie, Calico Bass (panfish family) Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Greenish-black, heavily spotted with a horizontal pattern like a calico print(hence calico bass), related to the white crappie which is lighter in color with vertical spotted stripes. The black crappie has a larger eye than the white, and 7-8 dorsal spines as opposed to 6. Often found in schools, in quiet, more vegetated waters. The white crappie is more readily found than the black, but both species can be difficult to find during some seasons due to baby-boomer years--a good year can produce a large brood of fish who dominate the area--devouring subsequent broods--until the quantity of fish in the area is depleted, and what is left are the larger, older fish. They are caught, die out, etc; then the cycle starts all over again with a new batch of stronger, younger fish.

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