There are 7 or 8 spines on the dorsal fin. They measure 6 to 12 inches in length and weigh from 3 ounces to over four pounds. They are fairly abundant in Lake Powell. They are attracted to submerged bush and trees and generally travel in schools. Spawning occurs in open water, typically over mud, sand or gravel bottoms.
Males guard the nest and young.
They are insect and plankton eaters until they reach four to five inches and then switch to a fish diet. In Arizona, threadfin shad are their main diet. Effective bait and lures are minnow, small jibs, silver spoons, spinners and flies fished along shorelines around submerged brush piles and fallen trees. The meat is white, fine textured and tasty. For both Utah and Arizona, the limit at Lake Powell is 20 crappie.