Eric,
There are 16 District Fisheries Biologists within KDWPT that cover the 105 counties within the state. Each biologist is assigned a district in which they are responsible for managing the public waters. Biologists conduct fish sampling and other surveys to obtain information used to manage the fish populations within the assigned waters. Depending on many factors, fish harvest regulations are set. Statewide length and creel limits apply unless more restrictive harvest regs are set for the water. The biologist recommends fish harvest regulation changes. The status of the fish populations determines what the harvest regulations should be. Many factors go in to setting the harvest regs such as population density, angling pressure, angler harvest, body condition of the fish, growth rates, angler desires and so on.
The 50/day crappie limit is the statewide limit. It is also in effect on many very productive crappie waters. All three of my state fishing lakes have 50/day crappie creel limits. Butler SFL has a 50/day creel on crappie but it is far from being a good crappie fishery! It needs more harvest on the crappie as the fish are overpopulated and stunt around 6 to 7 inches...not many people want to harvest crappie that small! The Fishing Forecast Fishing Forecast / Fishing / KDWPT - KDWPT produced by KDWPT each year would be a useful tool in determining where to go look for the best crappie fishing.
Hope this answers your questions.