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Crappie · Species guide

White crappie

Pomoxis annularis

White crappie: Vertical bars. No more than six dorsal spines.
Vertical bars. No more than six dorsal spines.
Illustration: Duane Raver / USFWS. Public domain. Fish are not shown at the same scale.

Look for these features

  1. 01Dark markings form vertical bars along the sides.
  2. 02No more than six dorsal spines.
  3. 03Silvery, flattened body; color intensity can vary.

Reservoirs and slower waters. White and black crappie can share a lake, so the waterbody alone does not identify the catch.

TPWD species reference ↗ · Checked September 6, 2026.

Put it to work

Your next step

Check the markings and count dorsal spines carefully. Both crappie species share a combined bag limit at Lake O’ the Pines.

Open the lesson →
Record a catch →Lake O’ the Pines rules →

Identification is one part of the trip. Use current rules for the state and exact waterbody you fish.