5 Differences in Bluegill vs Crappie Taste to Help You Choose

Blue and crappie are the most popular freshwater bodies of fish in the United States of America. The two are similar because they are excellent protein sources and perfect for culinary purposes. However, they have their differences, especially regarding bluegill vs crappie taste. So whether you are a fisher or a chef needing to know the difference between the two, you are in the right place.

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Appearance and Where It Comes From

Features	Bluegill	Crappie
Scientific name	Lepomis Macrochirus	Pomoxis
Type	Sunfish	Ray-finned fish
Shape	Deep-oval shaped bodies	Laterally compressed roundish
Colour	Turquoise fades into yellow at the lower body, but it usually varies from location to location.	Black (with black spots), white (light lines), green and silver
Size	Typically short in length (6-10 inches), and mouths are small. However, bigger species also can be found.	Mostly short in length, but longer ones can also be found. Their mouths are bigger than bluegills.
Distinct feature	Black ear flap called an operculum behind the eyes.	Freckled body
Origin	North America	North America
Mistaken for	Pumpkinseed sunfish	Rock bass fish

Both crappie and bluegill fishes can be found in freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers and streams in the United States of America. They are usually found in the same water body. Both fish prefer warm and shallow waters with easy access to food sources like other small fishes, insects, and vegetation. The vegetation in the water bodies should be big enough to enable the fish to hide, and they can avoid direct sunlight this way.

If you want to go fishing for these fishes, you must go during the day when the sun is shining brightly. Also, look for clear waters, as that is where you’ll find them hidden behind big plants. Bluegill fish prefer shallow water, while crappie fish prefer deep water. Additional reinforcement may be needed to fish out crappie fish.

Bluegill vs Crappie Taste and Aroma

Features	Bluegill	Crappie
Taste	Generally described as mild and delicate. The meat is sweet with an earthy taste to it. Others describe it as clean and fresh due to the taste of the fresh water.	Mild and pleasant but has a little more pungent smell than bluegill. It is also described as being sweet and a bit nutty. The nice taste makes it popular.
Aroma	Pleasant and subtle, with traces of fresh water and fish scents.	Subtle with traces of fresh water scent.
Factors that influence its flavor	Quality of water: Fish in cleaner waters generally taste better and cleaner.Diet of the fish: You will enjoy more flavors if the fish has eaten a variety of it compared to one that has only eaten one or two types of foods.	Quality of water: Fish in cleaner waters also taste clean, while those in dirty water have an earthy taste.Diet of the fish: Different things that the fishes eat bring out different flavors. So if the fish has a diverse diet, you will enjoy more flavors.
Seasonings that complement the fish	Herbs like thyme, dill and parsley, or lemon.	Paprika, Cayenne powder, garlic, Cajun spices

Seafood lovers like bluegill and crappie fish because of their pleasant smell. They are both preferred while cooking because of how bluefish blends with different flavors and how crappie fish bring out its own flavor.

Texture and How It Feels in the Mouth

Features	Bluegill	Crappie
Texture	Firm and scaly. However, the flesh inside is tender and moist due to the natural oils in the fish. The meat doesn’t fall apart if you cook it well, but you can easily separate it while eating.	Dainty and scaly. It quickly breaks down while cooking because of the soft meat. It is also moist and doesn’t lose it after being cooked. Generally, it’s soft to the touch.
How it feels in your mouth	Smooth and buttery. It will immediately melt in your mouth once you take a bite.	Smooth and velvety. They also quickly melt in your mouth. It’s not difficult to chew.
Variations in texture	Small in size: Softer meat.Large in size: More firm meat	Small in size: Softer meat.Large in size: More chewy meat.

Because of its texture, it’s easy to work with while cooking. However, if you cook it too long, you will find dry and chewy meat, which people will not like. Eating dishes of crappie and bluegill fish is an all-around experience because of how they melt in your mouth and how soft they’re. 

Both fish are loved by people who don’t like to chew much while eating. Both of the meats aren’t chewy or rubbery. 

How They Are Cooked

Both crappie and bluegill fish can be cooked in the following three ways:

Pan-frying

• Rinse the fish and pat it completely dry. You don’t want the oil reacting to the fish’s moisture.
• Put some oil in a skillet and heat it to 350 degrees. This ensures that the fish will be cooked fast and well.
• Fry the fish in the skillet until it’s golden brown. 
• Put the fried fish in the late lined with tissues to remove excess oil. Your fish is ready to serve. 

Baking 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil. 
• Mix your seasonings with the fish.
• Then, arrange the fish in the baking tray and put it in the oven.
• Bake it for about 8 minutes until the fish meat flakes easily when you run a fork over it.

Grilling

• Make three slices of the fish.
• Coat the fish with olive oil and season it using spices of your choice. 
• Heat the grill until it’s at medium heat, and place the fish on it. 
• Allow it to cook for 4 minutes on both sides and serve it.

Which tastes better, bluegill or perch?

Taste buds differ from person to person, so I can’t tell you which tastes better. However, I can tell you that bluegill has a mild taste, while perch has a more pungent taste. 

Does bluegill taste fishy?

No, bluegill doesn’t have a strong fish-like taste. It’s mild compared to other fish like crappie or perch.