Thread: Crappie condos?

I've been scanning the regs but still haven't found out if it's legal in Washington to use these. Does anybody know and if it is have you ever built and used them?

Was looking through these old posts and saw this. It's legal on waters to do this from what I know of, there may be some lakes or places where it might not be, so I'd call wdfw and check with them on an area where you're thinking about doing it. I've never built any before but I'm thinking I might try it this year on a few lakes I know have crappie in em around my area. I remember in Washington's F&H magazine a couple years ago they talked about using old christmas trees to sink in lakes for structure.

Don't know if it's legal or not....but I do know where there are some sweet planted piles on Lake Union and Wa :D. You did not hear that from me .

To my my knowledge Alder, Riffe, Potholes and Ohop have had brushpiles and or structures placed in them by the WDFW (a bass club planted the brushpiles and jams into Ohop in the late 70's or early 80's if I rememnber correctly). Those brushpiles on Ohop are still in great shape.

Please post back here if you get a solid answer from the state. I am willing to help build some condos, place them, and mark GPS points.

I might call them up or e-mail them about it sooner or later. I've been thinking about making some up at Leland Lake but not really sure if I'd want to do that because the lakes so small, might ruin it if a bunch of people found it. There's another lake I'm probably going to try soon around the kitsap peninsula area that's supposed to hold some crappie, if I find some decent ones I might try it there. What's some of the inexpensive ways to go about making these condos? My friend has been getting rid of a bunch of trees and stuff on his land, mostly alders but I might ask him if he's got some other stuff that might last longer.

Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops have commercial built crappie condo's. I've seen them back home in Texas made from pvc pipe with smaller pipe running out like tree limbs and weighted so they would stay on the bottom.

Originally Posted by misplacedTXN

Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops have commercial built crappie condo's. I've seen them back home in Texas made from pvc pipe with smaller pipe running out like tree limbs and weighted so they would stay on the bottom.

Yeah I've seen some pictures of how people have made the pvc crappie structures, seems like they'd be better for not getting snagged up on. My dad was actually talking about cutting down our cedar tree in the front yard because my mom wants it gone, hopefully we can get that down and use it for some lakes.

On another note, you ever try Long Lake for crappie? Thinking I might try hitting it up for crappie on Wednesday, never targeted them there, but hoping at least if I'm not able to find them there I can catch a few trout and bluegill.

Make sure to be very careful where you put structure in WA. Some lakes it is okay, some it is permit only and a lot of them it is illegal or was when I checked middle of last year. The regulations are so crazy that you can actually be fined for removing weeds from the water to create a fishing hole. Removing the weeds can itself be illegal. Even putting in a dock can require a permit on most lakes.

Best bet is to find the office that regulates the lakes you are going to fish and call them. Check the link below for phone numbers. Or just don't get caught but I didn't say that.

WDFW