308 REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



Cr&ppiC (Pomoxz's annularis Rafin'esque). 



Pomoxis a?imclaris Bean, Fishes Penna., 103, pi. 30, fig. 59, 1893 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. 

 47, U. S. Nat. Mus., 987, 1896, pi. CLIV, fig. 415, 1900. 



Color clear silvery olive, the sides mottled with dark greenish blotches. On 

 the upper part of the body are traces of narrow vertical bars. The dorsal and 

 caudal are mottled, but the anal is usually uniform pale. 



Among the many names which have been applied to the crappie are: Bachelor, 

 newlight, campbellite, Sac-a-lait, bridge perch, strawberry perch, chinquapin perch, 

 speckled perch, tin perch, goggle-eye, John demon, shad, white croppie and timber 

 croppie. 



The crappie is a very general favorite for pond culture, can be readily 

 transported and under favorable conditions multiplies prodigiously. Its range has 

 been very much extended by artificial means. The best distinguishing marks 

 between the crappie and the calico bass are the more elongated form of the crappie, 

 the presence of six spines in the dorsal and the nearly uniform whitish color of the 

 anal. In the crappie the greatest depth of the body is usually contained two 

 and one half times in the total length .without the tail, while in the calico 

 bass the depth equals one half the length. These two species are so similar in 

 size and habits that they are rarely distinguished except by ichthyologists. 



The crappie grows to a length of about one foot and usually weighs one pound 

 or less, but in a lake near St. Louis an individual weighing three pounds has 

 been recorded. 



Crappie fishing usually begins in June and lasts till the coming of cold weather. 

 Large numbers of these fish are collected near Quincy, 111., for distribution to 

 other waters. At Peoria, 111., Prof. Forbes has taken them in March and April; 

 he has found them also in Pistakee Lake and at Ottawa. Cedar Lake, Ind., and 

 Kings Lake, Mo., are celebrated crappie waters. Near Covington, Ky., in private 

 ponds belonging to Joseph Schlosser, there are myriads of crappies as well as 

 other game fishes. 



The crappie is a very free biter and can be caught readily with minnows or 

 worms. Spoon bait has been successfully used in trolling for this species. It is 

 recorded that two men have taken a thousand crappies in three days' fishing with 

 hook and line. As the fish is gregarious, congregating in large schools, and fearless, 

 it can be taken in the immense numbers given. The best bait for crappie is a 

 small shiner. It rises well also to the artificial' fly. As a food fish this is one 

 of the best in our inland waters, and its adaptability for life in artificial ponds 

 should make it a favorite with fish culturists. 



