But even there some subtle segregation occurs. Other areas hold a mixture of the two species. Conversely, the species found in tea-colored or blackwater swamps or freshwater marshes is almost always the black crappie. Large, muddy rivers like the Mississippi and Atchafalaya (yes, there are large populations of crappie in these two rivers.) are almost invariably white crappie. Annularis is Latin for “annual” or “one year old.” Nigromaculatus, also Latin, means “black-spotted,” an accurate description of the color of black crappie.īoth species are found in Louisiana, and while a lot of overlap occurs, some generalizations can be made about the habitat preference of each fish. The derivation of the name Pomoxis apparently is Greek and refers to the sharp-edged opercula, or gill covers, of the fish.
Our fish, or perhaps we should say “fishes” because there are two species lumped together, are the white crappie ( Pomoxis annularis) and the black crappie ( Pomoxis nigromaculatus).īiologists use scientific names purposefully to avoid the confusion of local names. The beautiful accompanying illustration is of the “real” white perch, Morone americana, a fish in the striped bass family found exclusively in tidal waters of the mid-Atlantic coast and Chesapeake Bay. There they list the “white perch” as our state fish, which is how it was deemed by the Legislature. A perfect example occurs on the website. Local names can be an incredible source of confusion. Locally, they are invariably called white perch in north and central Louisiana and sac-a-lait in the southern part of the state. Native throughout the eastern and Midwestern states, crappie carry a lot of local names, including specks, speckled perch, calico bass, strawberry bass, papermouths and Oswego bass. With incredibly white, flaky, mild and sweet flesh, crappie are likely the most popular food fish in Louisiana. Oh, but those fillets! The South Louisiana Cajun name for them - sac-a-lait - describes it all - sack of milk. They give a protesting wiggle, flop once or twice, and then largely give up to be hauled in.
Let’s face it: Crappie are pretty anemic fighters, especially compared to their spunky little cousin, the bluegill. It kinda shows you where our priorities are in Louisiana.
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