Get to know black crappie: identifying features, habitat, food, and life cycle.
Identification & habitat
- Scientific name: Pomoxis nigromaculatus; sunfish family.
- Pattern: Irregular dark speckles and blotches, not regular vertical bars.
- Dorsal spines: Usually seven or eight.
- Shape: Deep and strongly flattened from side to side.
- Mouth: Large, with a long upper jaw.
- Habitat: Standing water and quiet backwaters with timber or vegetation.
- Water: Less tolerant of turbidity and silt than white crappie.
- Sites: Sheltered coves with clean substrates.
- Females: Can spawn with several males and produce multiple egg batches.
- Regional size: Often 9–10 inches; larger fish occur.
Food & behavior
- Food: Small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans.
Spawning, growth & lifespan
- Spawning: Missouri mid-April–early June, after water exceeds about 56°F.
- Growth: Often heavier than white crappie of the same length.
- Longevity: Agency gives commonly about four years, occasionally eight or more.
Sources & further reading
Research checked October 18, 2026. Common sizes and ages are examples rather than hard limits. Missouri spawning dates are regional unless another location is named. Consult the current local fishing rules for the water you plan to fish.