If you’re an angler looking to catch some crappie, you’re in luck. There’s a good chance you can catch either sex of this popular fish, though there are some key differences between the two that can make for a more successful fishing experience.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the main differences between male vs female crappie, so you can better understand how to target each fish.
How to Tell the Difference Between Male vs Female Crappie
Crappie are one of the most popular sport fish in North America. There are two types of crappie, the white crappie and the black crappie.
The white crappie is more common in the eastern half of the United States, while the black crappie is more common in the western half.
Crappie fishing differs significantly between the sexes. Female crappie tends to be smaller and has a more delicate flavor than their male counterparts.
Male crappie has a greater depth of color and is generally more aggressive in pursuit of food. Crappie fishing techniques also vary significantly between the sexes.
Physical Changes in Breeding Season
Male crappie undergoes a number of physical changes during the breeding season in order to produce eggs. These changes can include an increase in body size, a change in coloration, and a change in behavior.
Female crappie does not undergo any physical changes during the breeding season. Instead, they release large numbers of eggs into the water which can be fertilized by multiple males.
Coloration
The easiest way to tell the difference between male and female crappie is to look at their coloring. Males are typically more colorful than females, with brighter green and yellow shades.
Male crappie are usually lighter in color than female crappie. Females are usually a more uniform light green or olive color.
Size
Another way to tell the difference is by looking at their size; males are typically larger than females.
Female crappie fishermen tend to use finesse to pick off small fish from cover, while male crappie fishermen are more likely to aggressively pursue larger fish in open water.
Another is the location of the dorsal fin on females, it’s located closer to the tail, while on males, it’s located closer to the head. Finally, males tend to have more vivid coloring than females.
Nesting
The easiest way to tell the difference between male and female crappie is by looking at their nests.
The males build nests out of mud, sticks, and other debris, while the females lay their eggs in these nests. The nests are usually located in shallow water near shore, and can be easily spotted by their characteristic dome shape.
Belly Color
The most common way to determine the sex of a crappie is to look at the belly color. Males have a yellow or orange belly, while females have a white belly.
However, this method is not always accurate, as some males may have a white belly and some females may have a yellow or orange belly.
If you are unsure of the sex of a crappie, it is best to catch it and take it to a fish hatchery for identification.