Maturation

As black crappies mature, they increasingly feed on a wide variety of animal life: aquatic insects, small crustaceans, minnows, and other small fish. Their favorite feeding areas are in the deep part of weedbeds. They are probably more active during winter than any other member of the sunfish family, feeding extensively on small fish and aquatic insects throughout winter.

They mature early and can spawn in their first year. They travel in schools, preferring shallow bays or slow-moving rivers. The schools can be very large during feeding time. They remain in an area as long as food supplies last, then move on to more fertile pastures. When young, they fall prey to predators, but as they grow the shape of their bodies and their spined fins help keep them from predation.

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