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CRAPPIE Scientifi c name: Black – Poxomis nigromaculatus, White – Poxomis annularis From the Greek, Poxomis means "sharp opercle", nigromaculatus in Latin means "black spotted" and annularis in Latin means "having rings" in reference the grouping of spots on white crappie. Average size: 9-10 inches, but master angler fi sh measuring 15 inches (or weighing 2 pounds) are regularly caught in some Nebraska reservoirs and ponds. The Nebraska state record is 4 pounds, 8 ounces. (black). Habitat: ● Prefer water with aquatic vegetation and underwater structure such as logs, rock or dead trees. ● Can be found in shaded water under overhanging trees. ● In the heat of summer, will move to deeper water. ● Black crappie prefer clearer, quieter water. ● White crappie are more tolerant of turbidity. Diet: Adult crappie eat small fi sh, aquatic insects, crayfi sh and tadpoles. White crappie are more piscivorous (fi sh eaters) than black. Activity: Aggregate in loose schools; will eat during the day and night, but are most active feeding during the evening. Identifying characteristics: ● Deep bodied, but more elongate than bluegill. ● Larger mouth than bluegill. ● Dorsal, anal and caudal fi ns covered in black spots. ● Black crappie have mottled black spots covering their backs and sides and have 7-8 spines on the dorsal fi n. ● White crappie have black spots that are arranged into stripes on their sides and have only 5-6 spines on the dorsal fi n. ● White crappie tend to have greater length, but are less robust than black. Interesting facts: ● Crappie spawn in spring when water reaches 60 degrees F. ● Like other sunfi sh, crappie are nest builders. ● Crappie have high reproductive potential, which often leads to overpopulation and a smaller-sized fi sh. ● Males aggressively defend nests. ● Crappie can grow 3-5 inches in fi rst year, but growth rates are very irregular. Fishing tips: Still fi sh with a worm or minnow under a bobber or use deep, slow retrieve of small minnows, plugs, spoons, jigs or spinners. Fishing from shore is best in the spring. LARGEMOUTH BASS Scientifi c name: Micropterus salmoides This name doesn't make as much sense as others. The Greek word, micropterus means "small fi n." The specimen referred to in naming this genus of fi sh had damage to the soft dorsal fi n, so that it appeared to have an additional small fi n. Salmoides is derived from the Latin word salmo, or trout, because the species was historically called a trout in southern states. Average size: 12-17 inches. Adult bass can grow larger than other sunfi sh (the Family Centrarchidae includes, among other species, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie). A master angler is 20 inches or 5 pounds. The state record largemouth weighed in at 10 pounds, 11 ounces. Habitat: ● Prefers warm, quiet water. ● Often found near structure (like fl ooded timber and FISH SPECIES ARTWORK BY JOSEPH TOMELLERI 27 CHAPTER 5 ● IDENTIFICATION AND LIFE HISTORY