Seasonal Colors of Black Crappie

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Many things that happen in nature are very interesting and the color changes for the Black Crappie species is pretty cool. Down here on the tidal waters these fish go through three distinct color changes which are easy indications of the season. Just curious if the other members that catch a few crappie along the way see similar changes in their region......I've included a few pictures to support these facts......

In late Winter Black Crappie begin to transition into what I believe to be one of the prettiest fresh water fish colors....Almost appearing to look like an exploded ink pen if you will......they get their infamous "tuxedo" skins on for the spawn peaking in the colors like this fish caught on the 28th of April........

As the spawn is completed and the waters warm for the Summer, black crappie go through another transition to what is often referred to as "calico" colors like this fish caught in September......they almost appear golden or the white bars will turn yellow on them........

Finally as the waters begin to cool in Fall and into early Winter the fish go through yet another change and this time the greens are highlighted almost looking emerald like .......This fish was caught in late December and you see how brilliant the green on the shoulders are.......

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Thanks John.....what do your fish look like during the spawn?

[John Sheehan]

I should say less green on the back .More purpleish.

[John Sheehan]

I've never caught a Crappie that got quite as black as that top one Jeffrey .At least that I can remember. I get them that look like the other two though .

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Here's another great example of the cold water green colors as Jim Gronaw and I fished together in late October and caught these slabs that Jim is displaying.....the green is very dominant on these guys and water temperatures had been in 60s and high 50s in the weeks proceeding this trip......

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Thanks in advance for any input you folks might share......