Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)

Black Crappie is a fish native to eastern North America. It is also seen in all of the other 48 mainland states of the U.S., but it is thought to originally live in the eastern states. Black crappies can be distinguished from white crappies (the only other crappie in the U.S.) by counting the dorsal fin rays and by noting the pattern on its body. Black crappies have 7-8 dorsal fin rays, and white crappies have 5-6 dorsal fina rays. The pattern on black crappies is a series of black dots all over the body including the fins, and white crappies have vertical stripes running along its body. Generally, black crappies are darker than white crappies, but not in all cases especially as seen above in this beautiful light clear specimen.