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Hertzler
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and Feed Inc.
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Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) Black Crappie are the largest of the so called pan fish. They are easily caught, making them a favorite of young fisherman. The Black Crappie is a silvery black sunfish with a deep compressed body, small head, and large mouth. The Black Crappie tend to grow better in clear water as opposed to muddy. They should only be stocked in ponds or lakes that are a minimum of two acres in size, preferably five acres. The spawning season begins in mid April to early June, but the nesting actually starts when the water temperature is 56 degrees. Spawning occurs when the water temperature is 64-68 degrees Fahrenheit. They are not as prolific as their cousins the White Crappie, therefore are more suitable for stocking recreational ponds. They are stocked mostly in Fall, Winter, and early Spring since they are delicate to handle and it can only be done when temperatures are cool. Crappie are not a strong swimming fish but a predator fish which feed on zooplankton, insects, small fish, and minnows. Therefore, we recommend you stock fathead minnows at eight or sixteen pounds per surface acre, for forage base. Crappies reproduce quite readily. We recommend stocking fifty fish per acre. Largemouth Bass should be stocked with Crappie to offset excessive reproduction. The average growth rate of Black Crappie is one-fourth to one-half pound per growing season attaining a maximum size of two to three pounds when mature. The Black Crappie life span occasionally reach seven years, but is usually two to three years.
Portions of this information was taken from literature provided by Fish Wagon and Arkansas Pondstockers. Other Links to Black Crappie Fish |
