crappie

The genus name Pomoxis literally means "sharp cover", referring to the fish's spiny gill covers (opercular bones).{{cite book|last1=Ross|first1=Stephen T.|last2=Brenneman|first2=William Max|title=The Inland Fishes of Mississippi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WEaKXWRt10kC&pg=PA436|year=2001|publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi|isbn=978-1-57806-246-1|page=436|quote= Pomoxis: sharp opercle, in reference to the opercle bone ending in two spines}} It is composed of the Greek {{transliteration|grc|poma}} ({{wikt-lang|grc|πῶμα}}, cover) and {{transliteration|grc|oxys}} ({{wikt-lang|grc|ὀξύς}}, "sharp").{{cite book|last1=Wallus|first1=Robert|last2=Simon|first2=Thomas P. |title=Reproductive Biology and Early Life History of Fishes in the Ohio River Drainage |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uZ2rHfYHYncC&pg=PA355|volume=6|year=2008|publisher=CRC|isbn=978-1-4200-0361-1|page=355|quote= Pomoxis, Greek: poma, 'lid, cover' and oxys, 'sharp', alluding to the opercles ending in two flat points instead of an ear flap}}

The common name (also spelled croppie{{M-W|croppie}}: "variant of crappie" or crappé{{cite book|last=Murray|first=James Augustus Henry |display-authors=etal |title=A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oickAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1141 |year=1893|publisher=Clarendon Press|page=1141|quote= Crappie. U.S. Also crappé, croppie. A species of sunfish, Pomoxys annularis}}) derives from the Canadian French {{lang|fr|crapet}}, which refers to many different fishes of the sunfish family. Other names for crappie are papermouths, strawberry bass, speckled bass or specks (especially in Michigan), speckled perch, white perch,{{Cite web|title=Louisiana Fisheries – Fact Sheets |url=https://www.seagrantfish.lsu.edu/resources/factsheets/sackofmilk.htm|website=seagrantfish.lsu.edu |access-date=2019-03-06}} crappie bass, calico bass (throughout the Middle Atlantic states and New England),{{Cite web |title=Massachusetts Wildlife |url=http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/publications/mwmag/pdf/fishing_issue.pdf |access-date=16 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008215020/http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/publications/mwmag/pdf/fishing_issue.pdf}} and Oswego bass.Schultz, Ken. Ken Schultz's Field Guide to Freshwater Fish. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2010.

In Louisiana, it is called sacalait ({{langx|frc|sac-à-lait}}, {{literally|milk bag}}),{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Hugh M. |title=Common Names of the Basses and Sun-fishes |journal=Report of the Commissioner |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gblFAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA357 |year=1904|publisher= Government Printing Office|page=357 |quote=The euphonious French name {{lang|fr|sac-à-lait}} (bag of milk), which is heard in the lower Mississippi Valley and now apparently is applied to other centrarchids, as well as to P. annularis, to which it was originally given, has been corrupted to 'suckley perch' in Louisiana near New Orleans.}} seemingly an allusion to its milky white flesh or silvery skin.{{cite book|title=Bulletin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SG7VAdA8F0gC|year=1917|publisher= Louisiana Department of Conservation|page=9|quote= When properly cooked the white, flaky, juicy flesh ({{lang|fr|sac-à-lait}} means a 'bag of milk' therefore our French-speaking population has most appropriately named this fish) has an exceptionally fine and delicate flavor.}}{{cite book |title=Louisiana Conservation Review|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=847kAAAAMAAJ|volume=9–10|year=1940|page=31|quote= believed to have received its name {{lang|fr|sac à lait}}, {{abbr|m.|masculine}}, 'milk bag' because of the silvery olive appearance of the fish, or because of its extraordinarily white flesh. Read's further investigations, however, revealed that the Choctaw Indian {{lang|cho|sakli}}, 'trout'}} The supposed French meaning is, however, folk etymology, because the word is ultimately from Choctaw {{wikt-lang|cho|sakli}}, meaning "trout".{{M-W|sacalait}} "Louisiana French {{lang|fr|sac-à-lait}}, by folk etymology (influence of French {{lang|fr|sac}} bag, French {{lang|fr|à}} to, for, and French {{lang|fr|lait}} milk) from Choctaw {{lang|cho|sakli}} trout"

The currently recognized species in this genus are:{{FishBase genus | genus = Pomoxis| month = February | year = 2013}}

The extinct fossil species †Pomoxis lanei Hibbard, 1936 (common name "Ogallala crappie") is known from a single well-preserved specimen recovered from Late Miocene-aged sediments of the Ogallala Formation of Kansas. An undescribed fossil Pomoxis (known as the "Wakeeney crappie") is also known from more fragmentary remains recovered from older Middle Miocene-aged sediments of the formation, representing the earliest record of the genus.{{Cite book |title=Centrarchid Fishes |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781444316032 |date=2009 |language=en |doi=10.1002/9781444316032 |isbn=978-1-4051-3342-5 |editor-last1=Cooke |editor-last2=Philipp |editor-first1=S. J. |editor-first2=D. P. }}

Both species of crappie as adults feed predominantly on smaller fish species, including the young of their own predators (which include the northern pike, muskellunge, and walleye). They have diverse diets, however, including zooplankton, insects, and crustaceans.{{FishBase|genus=Pomoxis|species=annularis|year=2006|month=March}}{{FishBase|genus=Pomoxis|species=nigromaculatus|year=2006|month=March}} Larval crappies rely on crustacean zooplankton as a food source. The availability of zooplankton can have an effect on larval populations.{{cite journal |last1=Michaletz |first1=P.H |last2=Obrecht |first2=D.V |last3=Jones |first3=J.R |title=Influence of Environmental Variables and Species Interactions on Sport Fish Communities in Small Missouri Impoundments |journal=North American Journal of Fisheries Management |date=2012 |doi=10.1080/02755947.2012.728173 |volume=32 |number=6 |pages=1146–1159 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2012NAJFM..32.1146M }} By day, crappie tend to be less active and concentrate around weed beds or submerged objects, such as logs and boulders. They feed during dawn and dusk, by moving into open water or approaching the shore.{{Cite web |work=NatureServe Explorer|title=Comprehensive Report Species – Pomoxis annularis|url=http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=POMOXIS+ANNULARIS |access-date=2006-06-29 |archive-date=16 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216122955/http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=POMOXIS+ANNULARIS |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |work=NatureServe Explorer |title=Comprehensive Report Species – Pomoxis nigromaculatus |url=http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=POMOXIS+NIGROMACULATUS |access-date=2006-06-29 |archive-date=14 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050914191859/http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Pomoxis+nigromaculatus |url-status=dead}}

Hybrid crappie (Pomoxis annularis × nigromaculatus) have been cultured and occur naturally.{{cite web|url=https://aquaculture.ca.uky.edu/sites/aquaculture.ca.uky.edu/files/srac_7212_species_profile_hybrid_crappie.pdf|title=Species Profile: Hybrid Crappie|last1=Kelly|first1=Anita M.|last2=Baumhoer|first2=Brandon|publisher=Southern Regional Aquaculture Center|date=June 2014|access-date=2 September 2023|id=SRAC Publication No. 7212}} The crossing of a black crappie female and white crappie male has better survival and growth rates among offspring than the reciprocal cross does. Hybrid crappie are difficult to distinguish from black crappie by appearance alone. Fingerling yields are variable in culture. The hybrid offspring are fertile, black crappie female and white crappie male crosses more so than the reciprocal.

File:Pomoxis nigromaculatus1.jpg

The Pomoxis species are highly regarded panfish and are often considered to be among the best-tasting freshwater food fish. Because of their diverse diets, crappie may be caught in many ways, including casting light jigs, trolling with minnows or soft lures, using small spinnerbaits, or using bobbers with common hookbaits. Crappies are also popular with ice anglers, as they are active in winter.{{Cite web|title=Black Crappie|url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/BlackCrappie/BlackCrappie.html|publisher=Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department|access-date=2006-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060727080654/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/BlackCrappie/BlackCrappie.html|archive-date=27 July 2006|url-status=dead}}

{{Fly fishing targets}}

Angling for crappie is popular throughout much of North America. Methods vary, but among the most popular is called "spider rigging", a method characterized by a fisherman in a boat with many long fishing rods pointing away from the angler at various angles like spokes from a wheel{{Cite web|title=Super Crappie Systems |url=http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/articles/if0403_Crappie/ |publisher=In-Fisherman|access-date=23 February 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061222232002/http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/articles/if0403_Crappie/ |archive-date = 22 December 2006}} (spider rigging is not permitted on some waters. In Minnesota, for example, a fisherman may use only one rod during the open water season). Anglers who employ the spider rigging method may choose from among many popular baits, some of the most popular are plastic jigs with lead jigheads, crankbaits or live minnows.{{cite web |url=http://www.fishingtipsdepot.com/crappie-fishing-tips.php |title=Crappie Fishing |work=Educational Fishing Information for Crappie |access-date=2013-07-24 }} Many anglers also chum or dump live groundbait into the water to attract the fish to bite their bait. Crappies are also regularly targeted and caught during the spawning period by fly fishermen, and can be taken from frozen ponds and lakes in winter by ice fishing.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

In 2023, apparel company Crappie Forever announced a promotion in which it would award prizes to those catching and releasing tagged crappie in certain Mississippi lakes, in order to further crappie conservation and enthusiasm for tournament fishing.{{cite web|author = Brian Broom | url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/outdoors/2023/06/04/win-cash-or-prizes-in-mississippi-by-catching-a-tagged-crappie/70252588007/|date=4 June 2023|publisher=Clarion Ledger|title=Fishing: Catch a tagged crappie in Mississippi and it could be worth cash or prizes}}

Before state fisheries departments began to implement more restrictive, conservation-minded regulations, a great number of crappies, especially in the Mississippi River states, were harvested commercially in the 19th and early 20th centuries. At one point, the annual crappie catch sold at fish markets in the United States was reported to be about {{convert|3|e6lb|MT}}."Fisheries." The New International Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. New York: Dodd, Mead and Co., 1930.

A commercial fishery for crappies existed at Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee until 2003. It was one of the few commercial fisheries for crappies in recent decades.{{cite web|url=https://www.reelfoot.com/commercial_crappie_fishing.htm|publisher=Reelfoot Outdoors|title=Commercial Crappie Fishing Stopped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528214453/https://www.reelfoot.com/commercial_crappie_fishing.htm|archive-date=28 May 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kentuckynewera.com/article_a5427c97-095d-5a32-b4af-5e1d75bcb38d.html|title=Change in Reelfoot crappie population has brought ban on commercial fishing|publisher=Kentucky New Era|date=23 June 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528214740/https://www.kentuckynewera.com/article_a5427c97-095d-5a32-b4af-5e1d75bcb38d.html|archive-date=28 May 2022|url-status=live}}

According to the International Game Fish Association, the current all-tackle world records are:{{cite web|url=https://igfa.org/member-services/world-record/common-name/Crappie,%20black|title=Crappie, black|publisher=International Game Fish Association|access-date=31 August 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://igfa.org/member-services/world-record/common-name/Crappie,%20white|title=Crappie, white|publisher=International Game Fish Association|access-date=31 August 2023}}

• Black crappie: {{convert|2.47|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}, caught by Lionel "Jam" Ferguson at Richeison Pond in Tennessee on 15 May 2018{{cite web |url=https://premierangler.com/looking-at-the-world-record-crappie-white-and-black/ |title=Looking at the World Record Crappie (White And Black) |date=28 March 2020 |publisher=Premier Angler |access-date=28 March 2020}}
• White crappie: {{convert|2.35|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}, caught by Fred Brigh at Enid Dam, Mississippi on 31 July 1957

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book|last=Ellis |first=Jack |year=1993 |title=The Sunfishes: A Fly Fishing Journey of Discovery |location=Bennington, VT |publisher=Abenaki Publishers |isbn=0-936644-17-6}}
• {{Cite book |last=Malo |first=Joh |year=1981n |title=Fly-Fishing for Panfish |url=https://archive.org/details/flyfishingforpan0000malo |url-access=registration |location=Minneapolis |publisher=Dillon Press |isbn=0-87518-208-9}}
• Nelson, Gary; Martin, Richard; Sutton, Keith (1991). Panfishing. Minneapolis, MN: North American Fishing Club. {{ISBN|0-914697-37-4}}.
• {{Cite book |last=Rice |first=F. Philip |year=1964 |title=America's Favorite Fishing: A Complete Guide to Angling for Panfish |location=New York |publisher=Harper & Row}}
• {{Cite book |last=Rice |first=F. Philip |year=1984 |title=Panfishing |url=https://archive.org/details/panfishing00rice |url-access=registration |location=New York |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=0-943822-25-4}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Pomoxis}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1063438}}

Category:Centrarchinae

Category:Extant Miocene first appearances

Category:Fauna of the Eastern United States

Category:Freshwater fish of the United States

Category:Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque