• Characteristics - silvery body that shades to green or brown on the back; several (7-9) dark vertical bars on each side and whitish belly; "hump-backed" with 6 spines in the dorsal fin; seldom exceed 2 pounds
• Distribution - statewide in lakes and large rivers
• Foods - small fish, aquatic insects
• State Record - "crappie" record 4 pounds, 9 ounces - Green Castle Lake, Marshall County, May 1981 - Ted Trowbridge, Marshalltown, Iowa
• Expert's Tip - crappie have delicate mouths, don't get carried away when you set the hook, a firm tug is plenty to set the hook

For more white crappie information, see our printable pdf (103K) or Iowa Fish & Fishing.