Thread: How would you feel about min lengths and reduced limits ?

Originally Posted by Redge

I’m definitely for a slot on big fish and only so many.
I think it is great to open discussion on it, before to much damage is done.
Always best to be proactive


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Probably the simplest solution for everyone including the fish and wildlife department would be to limit the number of fish over a certain length say 10 per day over 13 inches or over per person


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Originally Posted by TimY

Probably the simplest solution for everyone including the fish and wildlife department would be to limit the number of fish over a certain length say 10 per day over 13 inches or over per person


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Exactly my thoughts, could also be a boat limit of 10 overs.
The rest of your limit could be filled with unders.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

As prolific as crappie are at spawning, I don't really believe that genetics plays a significant role in their growth. Water quality and fertility, IMO, plays a much larger role. Just imaging what it would be like if a 3# crappie laid 30,000 eggs what the total spawn would be like. Lakes that are over populated with dinks is a separate problem. They are exceptionally fertile, thus having very large spawns. These dinks slow the growth rate by over utilizing the available food. There isn't enough food available to let the dinks reach their potential so very few of them reach large size. Seems to me that if all fishermen/women kept the dinks and released the large ones, it would go a long way to addressing the problem. Livescope has apparently inflated a lot of egos and no one want to be known for keeping the small ones. Thus, the problem is exacerbated.

Hard to justify releasing all my fish with all boats around loading live wells. Maybe that says enough.

Fished yesterday and so did several others . I caught some good fish in spite of wind and cold muddy water .Caught more than a limit nothing over 1.87 lbs . Released them all . Did not need any after cleaning 18 a couple days before . Will share those with friends . Been many weeks since I put any in my freezer . But I will keep sharing as long as it is legal .

I'm reading several issues here.

1. Concern for big fish and making sure we have some big fish in the lake. I'll throw this out here since Grenada was mentioned. Every year in the winter, Grenada is drained. If you have ever fished Grenada then you understand the incredible number of fish that are in the lake. When it is drained, where do you think those fish go? Out through the spillway for most of them. But every year that lake is full of fish and plenty over 3 pounds. The biologists I talked with for over an hour down there don't understand it either. Nature takes care of itself even when mankind doesn't help.

2. Advanced electronics. I have Livescope as many do. I don't always use it but most of the time I do. I do that by choice. Some that have Livescope can't catch fish. Just because you have it does not mean you automatically catch fish. You have to learn it and use it correctly. This is a matter of choice much like you get to pick which vehicle you buy and drive. We all have to live with it until the law says other wise.

3. Overharvest of fish. CA, you keep putting it out there and you get the same results. This is not the first thread you have mentioned that you keep fish because the boats around you were and then complain about overharvest. I really don't care how many you keep or catch(I'd even get in the boat with you and go catch some). I'm not concerned about the other boats around you that were "filling their livewells". Evidently you and the other boats are not good enough to dent the population as you guys have been doing that on your particular lake for years and years. Carry on. I have a lake near me that I hear the same argument over. I still fish it and I still catch good fish. I can't dent the population and neither can the 100 plus boats per good day. I'll refer back to my last sentence in my first point.

The best thing that I think we can do, let's all go fish and each of us can keep what we need/want and enjoy our day on the water. Let the AGFC do their studies and figure it out. I know from past experience that even a lake that has been over harvested will produce some monster fish. With fewer fish, the fish there get age on them and grow. Their job is to survive. Just like deer, they do that well.

Tight lines to you all.

This got started on another forum within our group of folks that love to crappie fish. Nimrod yours makes the most sense of all I have seen. But our game and fish commission needs to keep a better track of crappie and different species of fish in different states. I know where I presently live there is a 9” size limit and we can keep 30 per person. I also know from research crappie don’t live very old. As with me older age has causing a bit memory problem on how old they live. However I fish in several southern states on and off one of my home birth place Mississippi. It hasn’t been to long ago I went with my B.I.L. and we probably caught over 100 between the two of us. We knew about how many family members would be eating fish that day. We only kept 20 fish and we picked and chose. Keeping in mind kids & grown ups. We threw back 1.5,2,even some 3 pound fish. We kept some 1 pounders, some 2’s and some 3 pounders. It turns into us managing and catch and release. I love catching and showing off what I catch more than the next fisherman but we have the technology now to take a picture or video. So my suggestion is put you a few in the freezer for a rainy day, keep some for those who can’t fish but like eating them give them to those and only take what you can eat on that day or the following day. Enjoy the fish, the sport, the new technology and mostly the blessings God has given us.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Here's my thoughts.

1. Make it easier to catch fish by whatever means/technology and more fish will be caught.
2. Thru all the social media networks, cell phones, etc. the number of Crappie fishermen continues to increase.
3. Thru all the social media and sharing advice and/or in many cases bragging, others are gaining increased experience to catch fish.
4. The lakes I fish in north MS are a shell of what they used to be in regards to timber, etc. that helped fish hide and spawn. Yes, high water levels help, but trolling simply catch plenty as they go in/out of the heavy brush.
5. As far as limits. Limits on my main lake used to none. Then l think went to 50 per person. Then 30. Now 15. At some point size and pole limits went into effect. So, say all you want about the lakes won't get hurt. I know better.
6. I'm not a fan of Livescope because it's just too easy, but I don't condemn those using it. We have all kinds of technology making fishing easier. Trolling motors vs. a paddle. I don't guess many will argue we need to outlaw trolling motors.
7. Many lakes are managed for flood control and decisions on water levels have potential to affect spawning every year. For the good or bad.

All that said, there is not one answer fits all. You will always have those that are greedy. You will always have those that don't follow regulations regardless and getting caught with minimal Game Wardens is close to nil. You have folks that are retired and can fish at their leisure. You have others that get an occasional day off from work. Those two groups will likely differ on what's "fair". Throw in guides and you likely have another group with some self interest and opinion--and that's not meant to be negative.

I just try to get outdoors and enjoy life and nature. And be thankful I have that option and current health allows and be thankful. .