Although the vast majority of the members of the sunfish family Centrarchidae have ten dorsal spines, members of the genus Pomoxis only have six to eight dorsal spines. The reason for this is currently unkown; scientists do not feel that having less dorsal spines gives crappies any kind of evolutionary advantage. Black crappies that live in lakes and streams in the northern United States tend to grow faster than those that live in lakes and streams in the southern United States. Researchers think this may be because southern bodies of water have longer growing seasons and harder water than those in the north. The black crappie is one of the few freshwater fish that does not hibernate in the winter. As a result, it is a much sought after fish during the ice fishing season. Some other common names for Pomoxis nigromaculatus include calico bass, strawberry bass, and speckled crappie. These names refer to the distinct speckled pattern on the body of the black crappie. The record for the largest black crappie caught in Wisconsin is four pounds and eight ounces. The organism measured An angler ice fishes for panfish. Photo 19.75 inches in length! taken by Joonas Lyytinen.           To learn more about the creator of this site, click here. To learn about other organisms that live in the La Crosse area, click here.About%20the%20Author.htmlhttp://www.multipleorganisms.netshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1