The body of this fish is elongated with dark green sides and a silvery belly. A broad, dark horizontal band with irregular patches extends midway on the sides. This fish is similar to the largemouth bass, but it has a smaller jaw and is bronze rather than greenish in color. The black crappie is silver to olive in color with numerous black or dark green splotches on the sides. Vertical bars are prominent on the young only.
Young walleye have six or seven dark saddle marks on their backs.
Adults may be dark silver to dark olive brown with brassy spots. The underside may be yellow or white. There is a black blotch on the dorsal fin and a white tip on the lower lobe of the tail. This spotted catfish is prized both as a sport and food fish. Spots vary from a few to many.