Crappie - Black

Dispatch Method:

To maximise their eating qualities crappies can be killed quickly and humanely by iki jime or a knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding. Placement of these fish directly into an ice slurry may also be humane if they are taken from warm water (> 21°C /70°F) during the summer months.

Fish Description:

• Black crappies have a number of irregular, randomly scattered small dark blotches along the sides of the body.
  
• The dorsal fin of the black crappie starts further forward on the body compared to the white crappie. Black crappies also have a more compressed body shape than white crappies, and prefer clearer waters.

Fish Distribution:

• Freshwater rivers, lakes and impoundments throughout North America, including the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay and Mississippi River basins south to the Gulf of Mexico.
  
• This species has also been introduced into Alaska and various parts of Central America.

Fish Size Common Length:

Commonly 8-14 inches long. Maximum size around 19 inches and nearly 6 pounds.