How Old is a 12" Crappie

[Bonehead]

My wife and I decided not to keep any Crappie that is less than 12" long. Someone told me that a 12" Crappie is more than likely 3 + years old. Can anyons shed some education on this one for me. Thanks Mark

[CTom]

Growth rates vary from water to water and geographic location.

Within a specific location you could have a lake on one side of a road that has a population of 12" crappies that are 3-4 years old while across the road from that lake have another with 12 inch crappies that are 5-6 years old. Some lakes have a forage base that allows crappies to grow like wild fire, others may be forage poor and crappies grow only marginally year to year.

The further south you go in the United States, the faster the growth rates. Here in Minnesota we see ice on the water for 4-5 months each year. The ideal temp for crappie growth with a good forage base may only be available for crappies to actually gain weight and length could only be 4 months as opposed to maybe 8-9 months in Georgia. The longer the water temps stays at or slightly above those where optimal growth occurs, the faster the fish show length.

Most 12 inch fish in Minnesota are getting up there. I'll hazard a guess that a 12 incher up here is at least 6 years old in most instances, maybe older.

[wannabe fisherman]

That's a tough one to answer. Crappie in the south grow faster than in the north, also grow faster in nutrient rich waters than poor. Over crowding can affect the growth also, you almost have to go on a lake by lake basis.

[ragged edge]

+1

[Nihiser]

In-fisherman had a little blurb about this in their mag this month, and according to them it would be 3-4+ years old if I remember correctly.

[slickwater1]

size as more to do with population and food availability than anything else. If you think about it these go hand and hand. age is important but growing season and opprotunity to grow are also important.

[GRIZZ]

Old enough to keep.

[WestTennCrappie]

Old enough to keep.

Me likes

[NIMROD]

Old enough to keep.

Here it is'nt getting any older, about to meet the fillet knife. lol lol

[Gomer Snerd]

how long is a piece of string???