Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) are a sport fish. Crappie can grow up to 5 pounds and 18" long. They spawn in early Spring right off the bank and close to the waters surface. Crappie reproduce sooner than bluegill and bass so it gives them a bump in the food chain. However this can also pose a problem for the growth of other fish in your pond due to crappie fri eating a lot of plankton. We recommend stocking 100 per acre with some predator fish to control over populating.