Thread: The controversy continues: Which is larger - black crappie or white crappie?

The one that got away was 3# I just know it! Fausse Point I've caught about 10 whites over the years that were 2# personal best 2.25# white and 1.87# black.

In the past, the closer we were to the Atchafalaya River - the more whites we caught. When I was a youngster, I wish we would have weighed them - they were huge.

Originally Posted by speckmeister

In the past, the closer we were to the Atchafalaya River - the more whites we caught. When I was a youngster, I wish we would have weighed them - they were huge.

I call em big river whites! You're right I find the closer to main river better chances of catching whites!

Is this Graveyard underwater?

Negative. The graveyard is not underwater.

Hey SM,
The LA State record is a 6-pound fish caught Nov. 28, 1969, by Lettie Robertson from Westwego Canal in Louisiana.

Where did you come up with the white crappie's having denser bone structure? Got a link?

Hi jig rig,
Unfortunately Robertson's 6-pound crappie was removed from the La. state records when the crappie species was divided into the two categories we have now: black crappie and white crappie.
I agree with you though - it should still retain its top spot.
I am attaching the most recent La. crappie listings - not showing the recent Poverty Point white crappie since they were just caught and not yet certified.
As for the denser bone structure - it's in the head and gill plate - less fillet only when comparing white and black crappie of the same length. It's due to the way the head slopes on the white crappie - the way it curves making the bone structure longer and a little wider at the forehead.

Here's a link on differences - and the denser bone structure part is listed under More Crappie Facts in the article: Do You Know Your Crappie? - Wired2fish - Scout

For those new to crappie fishing, here are some pictures I have taken at Toledo Bend when brushpile fishing that show the difference. First photo (left) - black crappie and notice the specks are scattered. Second photo (right) - white crappie and notice the specks are in vertical bars and the head is sloped differently.