crappie cycles

[gone_fishing]

I have been reading about the good spawn Kentucky Lake had and all the crappies approaching or at the legal size limit.

Does anyone have any theories or knowledge as to when this spawn occured. What were the lake conditions and levels on that particlular year? Or was this an accumulation of multiple good spawn years?

[mepperson]

Personally I think it was the high waters we've had the last couple of springs. Last year broke a record on KY lake I believe. With the high water, it was very difficult to find a place to launch the boats, added new shoreline for spawning areas and some fishermen couldn't get on them (me included). That's just my theory, but I am interested to hear what other people think.

[Wiskers]

Paul Rister (Kentucky Fisheries Biologist) came & spoke to our group at the fall shindig. If I am not mistaken he mentioned 08, 09, & possibly 2010 as having potentially record spawns. I believe the high water that we have experienced over the last few years is the reason. We found out last year why TVA doesn't hold extra water for the spawn. Kentucky & Barkley lakes got BIG!

[gone_fishing]

I was thinking along the same lines whiskers.