Freshwater Fish of Connecticut
Calico Bass (Black)
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
🏆 Connecticut State Record
All Connecticut state records →
Also called: Calico Bass, Black Crappie, Calico, Crappie, Speck, Speckled Perch
Identification
Irregular dark speckles and blotches all over the body and fins (no clear bars). Deep, rounded body, upturned mouth and 7–8 dorsal spines.
Habitat
Clearer lakes, ponds and quiet river backwaters, often near submerged plants, fallen trees and rocks. Widely distributed across Connecticut’s drainages.
Behavior
Schools and often suspends near cover. Eats small fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans. Spawns in shallow water in spring.
How to Catch
Small jigs and live minnows around brush, fallen trees, weed edges and docks. In spring, fish the shallows where they spawn; the rest of the year, find the suspended schools near cover.
Notes
The calico bass most Connecticut anglers catch.
Calico Bass Comparison
Where to find Calico Bass (Black) in CT
- Anderson Pond North Stonington
- Aspinook Pond Canterbury
- Bantam Lake Morris / Litchfield
- Bashan Lake East Haddam
- Batterson Park Pond Farmington
- Beseck Lake Middlefield
- Billings Lake North Stonington
- Bishop Swamp Andover
- Breakneck Pond Union
- Bull Pond Harwinton
- Burr Pond Torrington
- Candlewood Lake New Fairfield / Danbury
- Cedar Lake Chester
- Clarks Pond Hamden
- Coventry Lake Coventry
- Crescent Lake Southington
- Dodge Pond East Lyme
- Dog Pond Goshen
- East Twin Lake Salisbury / Torrington
- Fitchville Pond Bozrah
- Gardner Lake Salem
- Glasgo Pond Griswold
- Gorton Pond East Lyme
- Great Hill Pond Portland