How to Identify a Calico Bass
The calico bass, also known as a black crappie, is one of the most beautiful and easily recognized freshwater fish. Common in rivers, lakes, ponds and reservoirs throughout much of the United States, this fish is popular with anglers because it can be made to bite on a variety of lures and natural baits such as nightcrawlers and minnows.
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Instructions
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Look for a fish with a flat compressed body. Calico bass are very streamlined and have a body that resembles a bluegill's or pumpkinseed's, except that a calico is larger.
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Note the coloring. The calico bass will be a shade of green best described as being almost olive-like. Against this coloring of the body look for random markings that can be black to green in color. These specks will be visible all over a calico bass.
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Observe the mouth closely. One of the calico bass's nicknames is "papermouth" and it is obvious when the mouth is looked at. When it opens the sides are almost transparent and when a calico bass is hooked by an angler the mouth tissue tears easily.
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Count the spines on the dorsal fin of a calico bass. These spines, on the the top fin, should number seven or eight in a calico bass. They are very sharp and need to be handled with care to avoid being having a finger punctured by one of them.
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Remember that a calico bass will not usually weigh more than a couple of pounds. A 2-lb. calico is considered a very large specimen. The world record for this species is a 4-lb., 8-oz. fish caught in North Carolina's Kerr Lake.
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Resources
- Photo Credit pond.dnr.cornell.edu
