Here is info on Black crappie. Note fecundity up to 188000 per yr. per female-- very high and adult by age 2. HBG will spawn but offspring are generally belived to be 95 % male and so should the stockers ,so should have small # of offspring. My memory is that HBG fecundity is much lower than for BG. Are you sure you have HBG it makes a big difference in how to approach your situation. ewest

Black Crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Physical Description:
� Very compressed body
� Upturned nose and mouth
� Rounded pectoral fin
� Slightly notched tail fin
� Anal and dorsal fins nearly the same length
� Large eye
� Speckled body
� Dorsal, anal, and tail fins black with white spots
� Length of dorsal fin base equal to distance from first dorsal spine to eye
� Head and side of body silver with dark marks

Similar species:
� White crappie (Pomoxis annularis)

Mean body size:
� Adults are 100-400 mm total length

Habitat:
� Swamps, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and slack water in rivers
� Found in vegetation and structure

Distribution in VA:
� James drainage
� Introduced to all other drainages in Virginia

Food Habits:
� Insects, fish, and crustaceans

Reproductive Habits:
� Mature by age 2
� Spawning occurs around April at 15-20�C
� Nests dug out around vegetation close to other nests
� Fecundity is 11,000-188,000 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance:
� One of the most popular pan fishes in Virginia

References:

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia