It varies, 14 inches is not too old. This fish will typically live to be at least one year old in the wild. Catch and release only rules apply here. Biologists have determined that the mortality rate for fish decreases at age two, meaning number of times spawning-age fish die in a given year is lower than percent of population per year. The average life expectancy for crappie is twelve years. So if you land a 14” crappie, congratulations – you’ve just hooked an expensive dinner.