Minnesota waters are home to white and black crappies, which are a part of the sunfish family. They're commonly found in lakes and ponds throughout Minnesota. Because they are good to eat, crappies are a favorite fish among anglers.

Identification

General description: Black crappies and white crappies are hard to tell apart. Both are small, flat-bodied, white-and-black fish found in medium-sized lakes and larger streams. They grow to 12 inches in about 8 years.

Length: Adults average about 6 to 8 inches.

Weight: Adults average 1 pound or less.

Color: Black-and-white and gray.

Reproduction

Crappies mate when they're two or three years old. Mating or spawning takes place in May and June when water temperatures reach 66 to 68 degrees. A female may lay as many as 20,000 to 140,000 eggs. The eggs hatch in 5 to 10 days. The male guards the eggs and the newly hatched fish.

Food

Crappies eat underwater insects, minnows, and other small fish. They feed mostly at sunrise and sunset, which is the best time to catch these fish.

Predators

Bigger fish, such as northerns, largemouth bass, and walleye.

Habitat and range

Small to medium-sized lakes. White crappies are commonly found in southern Minnesota. Black crappies are in lakes throughout the state, except for some deep, cold lakes near Lake Superior. Black crappies prefer cleaner water than white crappies.

Population and management

Aside from bluegills, more crappies are caught each year by Minnesota anglers than any other fish. In most lakes, crappies reproduce naturally, which makes stocking unnecessary. Many lakes have too many crappies, which often slows their growth and results in smaller fish.

Fun facts

In the spring, both crappie species move to shallow water to mate, giving anglers a good chance to catch them. Some anglers think the crappie is the best-tasting fish that swims.