White CrappieDescription The sides of the white crappie are silvery olive, blending into an olive green on the back. They have black spots on their sides that form eight or nine vertical bars, unlike the black crappie, whose black spots do not form into a pattern. Spots also cover the tail, dorsal, and anal fins. Their bodies have flat sides, making the crappie capable of quick movements Where They Live White crappie are found in warm areas of water, the ideal temperature being between 60 and 68 F. They are particularly successful in water as deep as sixty feet during the day. They are most commonly found in protective cover such as fallen trees, vegetation or boat docks and avoid areas with a strong current. What They Eat Most feeding takes place at night, dawn, and dusk. The majority of the adult white crappie’s diet is fish. They also eat mollusks, crayfish, and plankton. The young white crappie subsist mainly on aquatic insects. When They Spawn Spawning takes place in spring to early summer, usually when the water reaches about 60 F. During this time, males become darker, while females do not change in appearance. White crappie build their nests near cover such as brush or rocks at a depth anywhere from 3 to 23 feet. The nests are often constructed in areas away from wave action such as in coves. Males build the nests and guard the eggs and young once hatched, which is where the common name, “bachelor fish,” is derived.
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