Thread: Crappie Biology at Kentucky and Barkley lakes

Thx for your reply paul. I enjoy data. Always have. I enjoy your creel surveys. Those guys are always professional and courteous. Pm me a number and I'll send you a creel survey of every trip and the enbayment if that helps. Keep up the good work and always let us know if your speaking locally. I enjoy updated data on the lakes and fisheries.

I appreciate you lettin this ole dog bark. Opinions are like belly buttons. I've just told a friend this morning, my joy now comes from visiting their homes out on the lake, see who all down there is willing to make my day an give me a thump, not a limit. One pole would be fine.


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Originally Posted by prister

Paul said <snip> I was asked by a local sportsmen club (well the request actually went to our commissioner and then down to me) to consider a pole limit because the group suspected there is an overharvest problem.

Originally Posted by bandchaser

Bandchaser said <snip> 1) What "local sportsman's club" has made this uneducated or data-less accusation to the state that is already proven by the facts that you have already presented to me and others? Where might this "club" reside, in Lexington or in Western Kentucky in the Lakes region??

I, also would like to know the name of this "local sportsman's club". I am aware of a few local Bass clubs and one Crappie Club in Central Kentucky which is primarily a tournament club, but I find no other formal crappie organization in the area. If there is I would like to investigate joining it, as to date I am a single pole, pitch a jig at a stump or stick-up type of crappie fisherman and would like to learn other techniques. But alas all my research shows no such group.

Now if this "local sportsman's club" is a Bass club, the matter is not one of overharvesting but of a "turf war" . Bass fishermen have never been fond of the crappie crowd, especially when the spawn is on and the crappie fishermen occupy what the bass guys think is their territory. Many a spider-rigger, long-liner or crankbait troller has had some interaction with the bass enthusiasts when they pull directly in front of a moving crappie boat and park just off the bank. Even I, fishing semi still in my jon boat, have been bullied out of my space by the $100,000 bass chasers because I was in "their spot".

So please identify this "local sportsmen's club" so we can judge the merits of their concern for the crappie of the public waters here in the Commonwealth.

Very good post.

Originally Posted by Northforker

Thanks for the great info, just a thought, 3/4 of the fish I've kept and cleaned this year were full of eggs, what if there was a 4-6 week window of a closed season during the peak of the spawn? Please don't shoot me!

The bait stores, resorts, and guides would be ruined. Crappie are a BIG part of the local economy.

Also what is the difference in catching a crappie in March or April that HAS eggs or catching that same crappie in Dec. and Jan. that WILL HAVE eggs? Answer... No difference.

BTW... I did chamber a round!

great read. i'll buy that a 10 inch ky lake crappie is 2 years old, but i am having a hard time with 12 inch fish being 5 years old. i need more stats!!!

Great post! Kudos for someone from KDFW bringing information directly to sportsmen. I'm also glad to have joined a forum that can have civil discussions, it's a nice change from many forums.

great info Paul. Thanks.