When people first hear about a fish that is called a "crappie" they wonder if it is a bad joke. I personally wonder this myself. The real interesting this is just how delicious these fish are. Many fishermen hit the rivers and lakes with every rod they have to catch a "mess" of them and have a fish fry.
I don't know if you love a fish fry, but it reminds me of growing up. My family were all fishermen and tradesmen... usually both! So eating fish, oysters and clams on a daily basis was a normal thing. For many people, eating crappie is exactly the same. If you want to learn more about this "not crappie" fish keep reading!
What Is This Wonderful Thing Called A Crappie?
The Crappie is a freshwater fish that can be found in rivers and lakes all over North America. They are a close relative of the sunfish family and are known for their delicious taste. Many people enjoy eating crappie because they are considered to be a delicacy. In fact, in some parts of the country, people hold special events called "crappie fry's" where everyone gets together to eat this delicious fish.
If you're thinking about trying crappie for yourself, there are a few things you should know. First of all, they are very easy to catch. This makes them a great choice for those who are just starting out fishing or for experienced anglers who want to fill up their freezer quickly. Crappie are also very versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Whether you pan fry them, bake them, or even put them on the grill, they will taste delicious.
Is Crappie A Whitefish?
The short answer to this question is no, crappie are not whitefish. They are actually a type of sunfish. There are two different types of crappie, the black crappie and the white crappie. The main difference between the two is that the white crappie has six to eight dorsal spines while the black crappie only has five to seven.
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Other than that, these fish look very similar. They both have a torpedo-shaped body with large scales. Their coloring can range from almost pure white to dark brown or black and they usually have some sort of patterning on their sides.
Are Crappie and Perch The Same Thing?
No, they are not the same fish. Perch have a very different appearance then crappie. They also have a very different taste. Crappie are more of a light and delicate fish where as perch are more of a hearty fish.
So what do these "crappie" fish really look like? Well, they can vary in color but usually they are some type of greenish/brown with darker spots on their sides. They have large mouths and small teeth. One identifying factor is that they have two dorsal fins which many other types of fish do not have.
Is A Crappie A Bass?
The scientific name for a crappie is Pomoxis annularis. They are in the sunfish family which contains over 100 different species. This family also includes bass, perch, and bluegill. So yes, technically speaking a crappie is a type of bass.
Is A Bluegill A Crappie?
No, a bluegill is not a crappie. A bluegill is part of the sunfish family and has a very similar appearance to a crappie. The two fish can be easily confused if you don't know what to look for.
The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at the dorsal fin. You could also see that a crappie is silver or slightly dark with with dark spots all over it. A bluegill has a brownish/orangish tint with gill plates that are blueish.
What Is Another Name For The Fish Crappie?
The scientific name for the crappie fish is Pomoxis annularis. However, they are also commonly referred to as papermouths, calico bass, speckled perch and specks. No matter what you call them, these fish are popular among many fishermen because of how good they taste.
Crappie can be found in most types of freshwater including ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. They tend to stay close to submerged brush or logs but will move into open water to feed. These fish are usually between four and twelve inches long but can grow up to nineteen inches. The world record for the largest crappie ever caught was five pounds and three ounces!
What Does Crappie Taste Like?
Crappie fish have a light, delicate flavor. They are often compared to bass or sunfish. The taste of crappie is similar to other freshwater fish, but some say it has a slightly sweeter flavor. Many people enjoy eating crappie because it is a mild-tasting fish.
You can learn more about this by reading the following blog post
Are Crappie A Healthy Fish To Eat?
Crappie are healthy for you to eat. In fact, they are a great source of protein and omega-three fatty acids. Like any food, it depends on how the fish is prepared. If it is fried in unhealthy oils, then the health benefits are negated. The best way to eat crappie, and any fish, is to bake it or grill it. This retains the most nutrients in the fish.
Do Bass Eat Crappie?
YES, bass will eat just about anything including other fish. In fact, one of the best ways to catch bass is to use smaller fish as bait. That being said, you don't want to use just any small fish as bait. You want to use a fish that bass actually like to eat and crappie fit that bill perfectly.
Crappie are not only a favorite food of bass, but they are also a favorite food of just about every other predator fish in the water. This is one of the reasons why crappie are so popular with fishermen. No matter what kind of predator fish you're trying to catch, if you use crappie as bait you're bound to have success.
Most people would never try this in real life, but most fishermen wouldn't think twice about buying a foot long minnow lure that imatates a trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed, herring, gizzard shad, etc... Remember when it comes to bass fishing... if it fits in their mouth... they are going to try to eat it!
How Big Do Crappie Get?
The size of a crappie can vary greatly depending on what body of water they come from. In general, however, most adult crappie will be between seven and fourteen inches long. Some have been known to grow even larger, but this is relatively rare. The average weight for an adult crappie is between one and two pounds, although they can sometimes grow larger than this.
Will Crappie Take Over A Pond?
No, they will not. In fact, most Crappie are what is called panfish. This means that they are small enough to fit in a frying pan... with room to spare! Most people think that because something can fit in a frying pan that it must not be worth catching, but this simply isn't true.
When it comes to taking over a pond they are just like any other panfish when it comes to feeding. They are able to feed on larger minnows so they will consume some of the larger prey. If you have largemouth bass in your pond well all bets are off then. They are now the top of the food chain and everything else is prey.