Ask the Biologist

**Craig Johnson** · 03-25-2010, 10:42 AM

Everyone,

I just wanted to let everyone know that my field season has started for the year and I will be spending much of my time on the waters of Kansas. I won't be around the computer as much as I am during the winter months so I will probably be a little slower in my response time to your questions but I will continue to check the board and answer your questions. Keep asking if you have questions and I'll reply as soon as I get the chance!

Thanks,

Craig

**Blackdog40** · 03-25-2010, 11:04 AM

Chad thanks for the reply. I think what you do hear is just great.

**PK Buggers** · 03-25-2010, 07:13 PM

Hard to manage the fisheries without the field work! Keep up the good work, I know I won't mind waiting for insightful answers. Thanks again for all that you do for us!

**Kansasoutdoorsman** · 04-04-2010, 06:49 PM

Craig when you get time who is/what is the email for the LaCyne PP lake bioligist?

**Craig Johnson** · 04-06-2010, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Springhill Duckman

Craig when you get time who is/what is the email for the LaCyne PP lake bioligist?

Springhill Duckman,

Don George is the KDWP Fisheries Biologist for LaCygne. His office phone number is 913-795-2218. I will PM his email to you.

**Craig Johnson** · 04-06-2010, 11:31 AM

The KDWP fisheries biologists had a very good year collecting walleye and sauger eggs for the hatchery system this year. All collection operations were completed by April 2nd which is unusually early for the statewide quotas to be met. This effort produces all of the walleye, sauger, and saugeye that will be stocked in Kansas lakes.

Walleye fry are already coming out of the hatcheries for stocking in the receiving lakes. Some fry will be stocked in to hatchery ponds to be grown in to fingerlings and stocked out at this larger size.

With a little from Mother Nature, we hope to have a good year for growing big fish in Kansas!

**PK Buggers** · 04-10-2010, 12:02 AM

Hey Craig,
Sumpthin I was always wantin to ask, how much does the full moon effect the crappie(and other fish for that matter) spawn? Is there something too the full moon influence or is it more water temperature dependent?
Thanks, PK

**CrappieLegacy** · 04-11-2010, 02:29 PM

I just wanted to say thanks Chatt for coming to our CDC OK meeting, Sorry it took me so long, better late than never lol, I enjoyed your presentation very much, I hope you can make next years also.

**sah** · 04-12-2010, 11:14 AM

Craig,
I caught a few crappie the other day and the larger one's eggs were mushy and had little to no blood in them, some of the smaller one's eggs were more firm and had more blood showing. I was wondering which one's were farther along and would lay egg's first.

**Fish Taxi** · 04-13-2010, 12:33 AM

Hi Craig,
I got into a discussion the other day about Lake Wabaunsee's crappie population, and would like to get your perspective.

A group of anglers was discussing the reasons why the lake contains so many small crappie. One person's theory was that it gets over fished and whenever a crappie reaches filleting-size, it hits the frying pan. Another guy's theory was that it is overpopulated and the fish are stunted.

I think both theories seem plausible.

I believe it probably does get a bit over-fished because I know of a few guys that take out boat-loads of crappies, and it gets pretty crowded with boats for a lake that's only 200 acres. There are a couple of locals that brag about how they cleaned 2000+ crappies last year and I believe them because I have fished beside them and seen how everything goes into the livewell...

I think the theory about it being overpopulated is also pretty reasonable. I sure seem to catch a lot of skinny crappie out there. It is nothing to get into a school of paper-thin 8" crappies and sit and hook them for hours. They can black-out the fish finder at times. Whenever I do catch a 10"+ crappie (about every tenth fish), it is also skinny compared to a crappie from Tuttle, Council Grove, Banner Creek, or pretty much anywhere else I can think of.

Recruitment is pretty good (I imagine) because the lake is always stable and the crappie's nests are well protected by the countless docks that line the shore. And I also have to wonder if there are enough big predators to keep the numbers of small fish in check. I think most of the anglers are throwing back bass, but the good saugeye and catfish almost always end up as someone's dinner.

So, the million dollar question(s)... From a biologist's perspective, can you explain what is going on with the crappie population in Lake Wabaunsee? And can you please tell me what, as an angler and resident, can I do to help the crappie population get bigger and fatter? Should I throw back all saugeyes and walleyes? Should I start filleting 8" crappies and throw back the 10" ones? Should I compliment the guys who are cleaning 2000+ crappies each year or encourage them to throw some back?

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I am looking forward to your response.
Chris

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