Species profile
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Identify Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 43 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 49 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (South Dakota); the most generous is 100 (Utah).
Across 27 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 9.9 in.
Confirmed by 8,010 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ohio, North Carolina, and Ontario the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Black crappie have 7–8 dorsal spines, compared to 5–6 on white crappie.
- They prefer clear, cool water with dense aquatic vegetation rather than the turbid conditions white crappie tolerate.
- Their irregular dark spots create a speckled pattern distinct from the white crappie's faint vertical bars.
- Black crappie can live up to 10 years in ideal conditions.
- A trophy black crappie can exceed 4 pounds, though most caught by anglers weigh under 1 pound.
Where Black Crappie are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Black Crappie
Background
The black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) is a freshwater fish found in North America, one of the two crappies. It is very similar to the white crappie in size, shape, and habits, except that it is darker, with a pattern of black spots.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Black Crappie article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Black Crappie?
Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 49 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Black Crappie?
Black Crappie is Pomoxis nigromaculatus.
Is Black Crappie regulated for fishing?
Yes — Black Crappie has fishing regulations in 43 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Black Crappie?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Black Crappie along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.