Is a 12 inch Crappie big for a river?

[crappieandbassman123]

Is a 12 inch Crappie big for a river? I caught one this weekend on the Potomac on a milfoil line on a black/chartreuse Charlie Brewer Slider 3" Grub on a Slider head.

[heath_88]

Im not sure about that river and the size of the crappie in it but around here they get just as big in our rivers as any of the lakes. I fish the mississippi river and rock river and a 12in crappie is pretty common. I have a feeling there are much bigger crappie than the one you caught hiding in that river somewhere!

[crappieandbassman123]

I know this is a stupid question, but that's a white crappie right?

[feeshrman]

it's a little hard to tell with the glare, but i believe it is a black crappie. A 12 inch crappie is good sized most anywhere, i am not familiar with the fish in the Potomac, you will have better luck asking on your state forrum if this is average for that river. i can not remember the number but their is a difference in the amount of spines in the dorsal fin of the black and white crappies, i am sure someone will soon let us know. Anyhow congrats on your catch!!

[Lowellhturner]

Most places that`s a borderline "keeper" at least...congratulations and see if you can find it`s great- great grandma...

[Locator79]

Looks like a black to me.

[thunderstick]

White crappie have 5 or 6 spines on the dorsal black crappie have 7 or 8 i believe! coloring will vary due to habitat.

[Gansett]

I fish the Alabama River and think 12" is about an average size and would be happy to catch a mess of them. Thunderstick is right, but as I look at that pic it appears to be a black because of the random black spots that I can see on the belly, just to the right of the glare.

[feelay]

Depends on the river you fish. Crappie can grow to over 18" most anywhere in the country, river or lake, if allowed to grow and enough forage to be had. This appears to be a black crappie.

[Kevin Willis]

Nice fish but it's average for Potomac .