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Oklahoma Record: 4lbs 10oz
World Record: 4lbs 15oz,
caught in Kerr Lake, Virginia, in 1981.
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Description: The black crappie
is a silvery-green to yellowish fish with large dorsal and anal
fins of almost identical shape and size. The sides are marked
with black blotches which become more intense towards the back.
The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins also are marked with rows of
dark spots. Crappies have compressed bodies, small heads and
arched backs. It has a large mouth with an upper jaw extending
under the eye.
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Other Names: speckled perch,
specks, papermouth, bachelor perch, calico bass, strawberry bass,
or white perch.
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Subspecies: There are no
recognized subspecies.
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Range: Found throughout
Oklahoma in ponds and major lakes.
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Habitat: Black crappies
thrive in clear, natural lakes and reservoirs with moderate
vegetation. They are also found in large slow-moving less turbid
rivers, provided the water is not too murky. Crappies prefer
water from 50 to 75 degrees but will tolerate water over 80
degrees. It is gregarious and often travels in schools.
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Spawning Habits: Spawning
occurs from February to April when water temperatures reach 62 to
65 degrees. They nest in colonies. Circular nest are fanned by
males over gravel or soft-muddy bottoms and frequently around
submerged vegetation in waters from three to eight feet deep.
After spawning, males guard the eggs and fry. Females may produce
between 11,000 and 188,000 eggs.
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Feeding Habits: Primary food
items are crustaceans, aquatic insects and small fishes. Adults
mainly eat small fish, particularly open-water forage fish, like
threadfin shad.
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Growth: Sexual maturity is
reached in the second or third year.
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Sporting Quality: Black
crappies are excellent game fish and are highly regarded by bait
fishermen and artificial-lure anglers alike. They are easily
caught during pre-spawning periods when the fish are congregated
in large schools. Trolling with small, live minnows or a
spinner-fly combination is very productive. They will also strike
subsurface flies, small spinners, jigs, and tiny crankbaits.
Crappies tend to suspend in midwater, so you may have to
experiment to find the right depth.
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Eating Quality: Considered to
be excellent eating by many anglers. The meat is prepared by
rolling in cornmeal or dipping in pancake batter and deep frying,
and can also be baked or broiled.
Hot
Lakes
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Eufaula |
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Murray |
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Kaw |
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Canton |
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Altus-Lugert |
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Sardis |
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