Thread: Does anyone throw their big Crappie back?

Just wondering about this. Now Im not talking about a 2.5 lb Crappie full of eggs in the heat of the spawn, but like what is coming upon us, giant pre-spawn fish that are hammering bait fish and fattening up for the next two+ months. Lets say just under 2lbs and over, Do you let them go?

Nope , not when boats all around me keeping them . Most have livescope and putting the hurt on them . I just keep a limit and release the rest. We will see a day when regulations change when pressure gets too great .

Originally Posted by NIMROD

Nope , not when boats all around me keeping them . Most have livescope and putting the hurt on them . I just keep a limit and release the rest. We will see a day when regulations change when pressure gets too great .

It’s here now , some lakes going to 15 limit and 10 “ minimum for 2023 .
I wouldn’t be surprised to see all the “good “ lakes where the bigger crappie are now go to this in the next couple of years.



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Originally Posted by GreenLine

It’s here now , some lakes going to 15 limit and 10 “ minimum for 2023 .
I wouldn’t be surprised to see all the “good “ lakes where the bigger crappie are now go to this in the next couple of years.



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I expect changes some good and some not so good . But then fishing pressure is greater than ever . Just a few years ago most lakes were deserted except for a few Duck Hunters in the winter. Times have changed with all the people chasing Crappie all year long with high tech electronics . Limits will change just hope we never see seasons like some states .

Originally Posted by GreenLine

It’s here now , some lakes going to 15 limit and 10 “ minimum for 2023 .
I wouldn’t be surprised to see all the “good “ lakes where the bigger crappie are now go to this in the next couple of years.



Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

I talked to some biologists a few years back . Asked why not put a 12'' min length on a certain lake . They said it was because Black Crappie grow slower . Can't fishermen tell the difference ? Bass guys see regulation differences on Bass species ? I know some lakes have limits for each Bass species and why not Crappie if that is the case ?

I do at times throw them back. Other times they take a trip home to the skillet. 14" fish here are TARP ( Tennessee Angler Recognition Program) Fish. I throw those back.

I throw all back unless I have company that want to eat fish, or mom wants some. I've learned long ago not to keep more than one or two packages in the freezer. I've seen too much get freezer burned and wasted over the years. But that's just me. Keep all you're gonna eat is what I say, as long as you're following rules no-one should complain.

Originally Posted by Slab

I throw all back unless I have company that want to eat fish, or mom wants some. I've learned long ago not to keep more than one or two packages in the freezer. I've seen too much get freezer burned and wasted over the years. But that's just me. Keep all you're gonna eat is what I say, as long as you're following rules no-one should complain.

Vacumn seal a few but most of mine go to friends and neighbors that love them . I have buddies I have taken fishing that have grumbled cause I told them it was a catch and release only day . They had plenty in freezer and I knew it .

Originally Posted by Slab

I throw all back unless I have company that want to eat fish, or mom wants some. I've learned long ago not to keep more than one or two packages in the freezer. I've seen too much get freezer burned and wasted over the years. But that's just me. Keep all you're gonna eat is what I say, as long as you're following rules no-one should complain.

Same here

Interesting, I just read an “ask the biologist” thread on the Missouri section of the forum that suggests you might as well keep the large fish as they are at a point of declining, at least as far as Missouri waters go. Interesting read.