Get to know white crappie: identifying features, habitat, food, and life cycle.
Identification & habitat
- Scientific name: Pomoxis annularis; sunfish family.
- Pattern: Usually five to ten faint vertical dark bars.
- Dorsal spines: Usually six.
- Shape: Deep, silvery, and slab-sided.
- Nickname: Papermouth.
- Habitat: Lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and quiet river backwaters.
- Cover: Submerged trees and woody structure are important.
- Sites: Protected coves and silt-free substrate.
Food & behavior
- Activity: Often active evening and night, but can feed by day.
- Food: Minnows, young shad, aquatic insects, and crustaceans.
Spawning, growth & lifespan
- Spawning: Missouri mid-April–early June, above about 56°F.
- Nest colonies: Numerous nests may cluster near vegetation.
- Longevity: Usually three or four years regionally, occasionally eight or more.
Angling & the bigger picture
- Fishing: Small minnows near submerged cover, still-fished or slowly trolled.
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.