244 NORTHERN FISHES 



Aquatic insects, Crustacea, small minnows, and other small fishes 

 form the diet of the black crappie. This species is one of the few mem- 

 bers of the Centrarchidae family that continue to feed during the winter 

 and do not go into semihibernation. The stomachs of black crappies 

 caught in winter show that they feed extensively on small fishes and 

 insects, though many caught in late winter had their stomachs filled 

 with tiny water fleas, or Daphnia. 



Both species of crappies rank high as pan and game fishes in Minne- 

 sota. They bite readily on minnows and at times may even rise to a fly. 

 The flesh is very palatable, though it may sometimes be sUghtly muddy 

 in flavor. Next to the bluegill more crappies than any other fish are 

 caught by Minnesota anglers. During the winter the black crappie 

 forms about 75 per cent of the catch of anglers fishing through the ice. 

 In December enormous numbers, even exceeding the total summer 

 catch, are caught from some lakes. 



