Rock Bass and Black Crappie are very similar in the way
they live. Both of these fishes are found in a veriety of
waters across NYS, and prefer a rocky, or rigged area. They
also are very abundant in NYS's rivers. Rockbass also got
the nickname "Redeyes" from the bright colored red eyes
that they have.

Rock bass and Black Crappie have similar feeding habits to
other sunfish, eating mostly aquatic insects, crayfish,
and small fishes. Eventhough the Black Crappie is a stronger
fish and is more sought after than the Rockbass. Spawning
occurs from mid-May to mid-June, usually after black bass,
but before other sunfish. Nests are built in a variety of
bottom types, including gravel, mud, and in vegetation.
Like the black basses, rock bass and crappies also keep
their nests well separated.

Rock bass are popular with many New York State anglers.
They generally occur in groups and readily bite live bait,
small spinners, plugs, and poppers. Since rock bass are
often found with smallmouth bass, bass anglers sometimes
consider them a nuisance.

Black crappies are also known, as other sunfishes to be
a great meal! Crappies will go after a variety of small
baits such as plastic minnows, live minnows, jigs, and
other small lures and live bait.

Have or known something that should be added to this
page? e-mail Rantney11@aol.com. Have a picture of you
and your Black Crappie or Rock Bass? Send it to
Rantney11@aol.com and it will be posted!