White crappie were taken at all stations, but were common only at the
upper and middle stations on the Marais des Cygnes and the upper Neosho
station. At the last station, this fish was abundant in a single large
pool that contained much more water during drought than any other area
at this station. There was little dispersal into several smaller pools,
below the large pool, which were sampled in 1957, 1958 and 1959. White
crappie were not taken in the lower pools until 1959, and then were
rare. Most crappie were taken in quiet water near cover or near shore.
Young-of-the-year were found in 1957, 1958 and 1959, but never
abundantly. At the lower Neosho station in 1959, ripe individuals were
collected on 19 June, a spent female on 24 June, and young-of-the-year
on 1 July. The young were present in quiet, shallow water over mud
bottom at the lower end of a gravel bar. Large white crappie (10-14
inches T. L.) were common at the middle and lower Neosho stations in
1957 and in April, 1958. Large fish were almost entirely absent from
later collections. Average size, maximum size and abundance declined
during the period of study.
#Percina phoxocephala# (Nelson)