Black Crappie

Black crappie are less widely distributed than the white crappie in Ohio, but are generally found throughout the state, including western Lake Erie. Generally, black crappie prefer clear water containing aquatic vegetation. They are less tolerant of silt and turbidity than white crappie. Black crappie closely resemble the white crappie but have deeper bodies with dusky or black blotches on their head, back, and sides. The most notable characteristic is that the black crappie has seven or eight dorsal spines. 2-4"